Alternative to trunkis? Child's wheeled case they can still sit on?

[plipplops]

DDs (6 and 7) both have trunkis. I think they're great for the odd weekend/night away but not convinced for flying. It's impossible to just reach in and get one thing out. BUT I like the fact that they can pull them themselves, and have a little sit if they're tired and whingy.

Can anyone recommend a wheeled case which is easy for them to manoeuvre and that they can still have a little sit on?? Or do I need to lump it and stick with the trunkis?

IF you really need them to be able to sit on them, then you might have to stick with the Trunki. A friend bought one of those for me after I had a bit of a painful time getting DS1 off the 24h flight at Heathrow; but I looked at it and thought "no chance!" because, as you say, you can't just reach in and grab stuff.

So DS1 still has the "flight attendant" style wheelie case that has 2 zippers, so can be just opened from the top end, reach in, riffle around and grab what's needed. He is 6 and has been pulling it himself since he was 4 (although if it's heavy he does get a bit tired after a while!)
Ours is a bit more basic than the one in the pic, but you get the idea.

I suppose you could get a hard case version, but then you'd still have to lift the lid wouldn't you, so not so convenient.

Do they need to be able to sit on them, rather than on the floor/a chair?

No they don't need to be able to sit, I just quite like the idea (they can definitely just sit on the floor!) It's just that the only thing I do like about Trunki's is that they can sit and play on them when they're bored...

Yeah, I know - DS1 uses his Trunki at home to play on and keep stuff in but it's never been on the plane apart from when it came over here with us the first time! Such a good idea but so poorly thought through from a practical overhead-locker-situation point of view!

I used Trunki's for years on flights with my two. I just put a drawstring bag (think PE bag type) in with everything they needed for the flight in it.

Trunkis look lovely but find them totally impractical for flying. Agree a trolly they can pull with a zip over the top that they can pull up for easy access . If waiting get them the i spy airport books at 6/7 perfect age helped me in a 4 hr teansit . Sat and watched the airport and crossed things off.

I'm probably very odd but my primary-school aged DC don't really need much for a flight - they have a mini ipad each, then a few snacks and drink bottle, favourite cuddly toy and that's probably it. DD also uses her kindle. For a really long haul night flight I take onesies and slipper socks in my bag (or DH's - as he only takes an ipad, camera and his other techy things) so they are warm and comfy.

So, DS has a trunki that they wheel around and play on at the airport. He puts all his toys in it. DD has a normal backpack and carries all their flight required items, so they are easily accessible. I still have a super large flight bag for the snacks, my 2 items and everything for baby DD (aged 1) - but as soon as she can wheel a trunki they are all on their own and I will go back to a handbag!

DS1 is 6 - he takes a little backpack for any toys he might want to play with (very rarely uses them). The wheely bag contains snacks, clothes changes, nappies etc., that I will need to access throughout the flight. I also have a backpack that contains my laptop, camera, the toiletries/meds, and other sundries. I also have a handbag and sneak a bumbag in as well. The wheely case is therefore technically DS2's cabin luggage, but DS1 is in charge of it. I also have an umbrella-fold pushchair to deal with!
I couldn't cope with a trunki as well. DH doesn't come with us; I might consider using the trunki if he did, but as it's just me and the 2 DSs, no.

The flight we're doing soon is only 1.5 hours and in the day (on crappy budget airline) so in reality they'll take a small rucksack each with a book/cardi/toy in it and that's it mainly so I'm not lugging their bits of rubbish in my bag. I'm just interested in opinions really - we're flying to the States in Oct (we've done it before but can't remember what they took?!) That trip we'll have much more hand luggage so I'd be happy to spread it around a bit, and quite like the idea of them taking some responsibility for their own things.

How about Investing in a Trunki tote bag? It fits in one side of the Trunki but once on the plane can come out and clip onto the seat pocket. Bag becomes easily "rummagable" whilst Trunki remains in overhead locker. I tend to fill the other side of the Trunki with spare clothes/cardi/teddy bear.