Carry-on luggage

[foxtiger]

I know someone who prides herself on being so good at putting together the perfect travel capsule that she can always go away with just carry-on luggage. However, I saw a picture of her at the airport on one of her recent trips, and as well as her small carry-on suitcase she also had quite a substantial shoulder bag.

Is it usual to be allowed to have two pieces of carry-on luggage? Does it depend on the airline or the class of travel (I'd be surprised if this person travels first class, she likes a bargain) or have I just been misunderstanding what I could take all this time? I thought it was just literally one small case or one bag.

Depends on the airline.

Some will be very literal (although TBF are upfront about that in the information) and you are allowed one bag, including handbags etc.

Some will let people bring carry on, the kitchen sink and a spare one!

(all that said, I think all of them allow an extra bag if it is purchases from the airside shops/duty free, so...)

Yes it depends on both airline and class of travel. BA allow a handbag or laptop case in addition to one of the smaller suitcases on wheels/hold-alls. EasyJet are categorical about just ONE piece of luggage.

Delta let you take 2

In any seat

It varies.
BA you can have a cabin sized suitcase at 23kg plus your handbag or laptop plus a bag of duty free.
I don't know why other airlines are weird about letting you taking a handbag on.
Whether I put the contents of my handbag into the handbag or into the cabin suitcase my total luggage still weighs exactly the same and takes up no more room as the handbag goes under your feet, but it'd be a real pain to have your wallet, phone, travel insurance, travel card etc and various bits in your handbag, have to be stowed above you in the locker. Makes no sense to me that policy.

Many airlines allow a handbag, small rucksack or laptop case in addition to a larger cabin bag, but as there are probably as many different rules as there are airlines so you really need to check each one individually.

The main exception for two bags is EasyJet who don't allow a separate handbag unless you pay extra for certain seats.

Depends on route and airline

Been on loads of city breaks last few years and EasyJet strict as no one staying long and all have carry ons

On a package hol now where everyone has checked luggage and TUI overhead storage virtually empty so could’ve brought masses

I am not sure if that's accurate re BA. I know of people recently who have been told to put air side purchase in hand luggage so only suit case and handbag/laptop.

Both the airlines I've used in the past few months have been very strict with hand luggage so I'd find out the rules and stick to them. That said I managed a 5 day trip with 2 toddlers on a 10kg per person limit!

I'm flying cheap-ass BA economy hand baggage only tomorrow, so I can let you know!

flew with virign hand luggage only to SF a couple of weeks ago. one girl on the Delta leg had a 70ltr rucksack as her carry on - full

Thanks everybody. I had no idea it was so common! Presumably if you carry a reasonably big shoulder bag, by putting things like pants in it you could free up more room in the small case for extra outerwear, which is probably how my acquaintance manages her amazing travel wardrobes.

Definitely going to try it myself (if the airline allows) next time I go on a city break.

I have a small bag I use when actually on holiday (about A5 size cross body), but that has gone into my larger shoulder tote-style "handbag" for my flight today. So I can carry all my books and valuables in there and won't need to get into the cabin bag once its in the overhead bin.

(Worth noting that airlines generally reserve the right to bung your bag in the hold at the last minute if no room in the cabin, so bear that in mind when packing, and also keep some cable ties or a lock with it just in case.)

Ryanair allow 2 bags now, one that they will take off you at the gate and 1 to be stowed under your seat. If you want a larger bag in the cabin you pay for it. I'm happy enough. I hate getting suitcases out of the compartments above.

Yes I agree about suitcases in lockers - tricky !

Ryanair allow one small ( 35 x20 x20 cm ) to be taken on board ,unless you pay extra of course .

Update: British Airways now offer free check in of hand baggage at the airport. (Don't know how widespread)

First landslide where they were actively checking bag sizes in the gauges and giving out "approved" tags.

Then again in departures there was a desk offering it (so you could shove any airport shopping in as well).

The bag I checked in was already on the carousel when I walked into baggage reclaim (and I was one of the very first off the full plane and straight through immigration e-gates)