Please explain airlines and baggage to me?

[Fattabby]

I'm a middle aged mum with very little overseas travel experience (never holidayed abroad growing up, not travelled much as an adult). I'm actually embarrassed by how little I have travelled abroad. It's been partly lack of money, DP hasn't wanted to go, and the last few years have meant a lot of illness/disability for me, so it's not been on the cards.

Now I'm in good health, I want to go away with my two young teen DC. They are very keen to go. I'm aiming for a short stay, 4-5 nights, somewhere beachy and very touristy in Spain/Portugal etc. Just for starters, and then maybe something more adventurous later in the year. It can't be a full week, which is frustrating, due to commitments it would take too long to explain.

I'm looking at booking flights - from Bristol - and am so confused about baggage allowances, what is permitted as carry on luggage, and and scared about getting it wrong. It looks like different airlines have different rules? But I could in theory book an Easyjet flight, and we'd have legit size luggage - then book a Ryan air return, and none of it would be allowed? I also can't tell if passengers are allowed a sort of bum bag/tiny cross body bag type thing, for passports and not much else, PLUS a carry on bag, or if everything has to be in the carry on bag?

The questions I have about holidays are all so basic I am embarrassed to ask friends, who are all pretty well travelled. Does the bag have to be rigid? If it is 'squashy' will it still fit in those frame measuring things? I'll be travelling on my own with the kids. The only thing I've managed to do so far is make sure we all have up to date passports (they all have years left on them and are pristine. Passports not kids).

Any help welcome. Please be kind. I know this sounds pathetic. I have looked online at airline info but find it very confusing. They seem not to tell you anything in a simple way until you start booking it, and then everything costs extra. That's another question - do I need to book seats? we would all like to sit together, as none of us are experienced travellers. TIA

All the airlines have their own rules about baggage size and different priced tickets will entitle you to differing luggage allowances eg under seat bag only, overhead locker and under seat bag etc. If you travel in and out with different airlines then you need to work on the basis of meeting the smallest measurements/weight allowance. EasyJet only allow one bag if you're on the under seat bag only ticket so any handbag needs to fit in that (or be well hidden under your coat - works for very tiny flat bags).

if you want to guarantee sitting together then you may need to pay to do so. Or you can risk it and check in as soon as check in opens online. I have never paid for allocated seating and always managed to get seats together but I may have been lucky and am not worried if I don't sit with my family (older DC).

I'm wondering if a short package holiday might be better?
Flights, hotels, transfers etc will all be arranged, leaving you with very little to do.

Whatever you decide, take out travel insurance as soon as you have booked.

By far the simplest thing is to put as much as possible in hold baggage that you check in and take just a small bag on to the plane with you that will go under the seat in front of you. You will probably have to pay but I think it’s worth it. Unless you have to make a connection it’s highly unlikely that your hold bag will go astray so you don’t need to worry about packing a change of clothes etc in your hand baggage. All of your liquids can go in the hold bag as well so no need to worry about all of that. Phones, money, a book, headphones and possibly a snack can go in a bag that is much smaller than the allowed size and you can relax.

You should book seats to make sure you are all together.

I would also suggest a package would be much easier for your first trip, everything is done for you and there are people there to help in the airports etc.

There was a programme on Channel 4 last night which explained the baggage situation. Bargain Holiday Secrets. It's on In Demand.

All airlines have different rules so unless you are happy to pay for baggage in the hold its best to do the same airline there and back.

I wear a very small cross body bag just for passport and phone.

That's a very good idea

If you want to sit together and you’re Ryanair, you have to pay. The algorithm will split you up (last time I was front row, DH middle and DS back row). I’m totally relaxed and never bother, but EasyJet and others tend to stick you together. Another tip is if you buy stuff in the airport and get a bag from that shop, you can use it as an additional bag. That’s worked for me on occasion. They usually check weight limits strictly if you have check in bags…. I’ve been known to put heavy items in hand luggage.

Thank you for replies. I did look into booking a package holiday, but unfortunately none were for less than a week. We can only go for 5 nights max, which is awkward, but it is what it is. Dates are also v limited because of school and other commitments. (i'm sure I could get a bespoke package holiday on a big budget, but I don't have that).

I did originally think to put a bag in as hold luggage. Even on a short holiday, with two young teen DC, I thought that trying to cram everything we need for a 5 night stay into cabin luggage might be tricky. I'm hoping to have bit of beach time plus exploring a town time (ie it's not a city break where you can wear pretty much the same outfit for 3 days, with underwear and T shirt changes).

however I've only had couple of conversations IRL about it, and both times got a 'why on earth would you pay for hold luggage on such a short break?' reaction. WHich made me feel really silly, and like I was just someone who can't pack properly.

Maybe the best option is 2 x cabin bags between us - and then a larger bag checked in as hold luggage? Is there a limit on what size liquids have to be on hold luggage? (I'd take the hit of paying partly to save the 'measuring out' of liquids into tiny bottles). Thanks again for the replies, and not scoffing at how little I know about this.

Im going through this myself OP. Ive had to ask my sister to sort it out for me because I have no clue 😂

When I travel with just my 2 teens I always just do 1 piece of hold luggage for all of us. It’s much easier.

Then me and my daughter carry a handbag each and my son carries a normal sized rucksack. Neither of those things need to be added to the booking as they just go under the seat in front of you.

I also never pre-book seats and we have always sat together. I just make sure I check in online as soon as the window opens. I will caveat that by saying that I never travel with Ryanair though. Most decent airlines (easyJet included) automatically sit you together. I fly at least 4 times a year and have never not sat with my family.

I would always take hold luggage. Then I can pack what I want especially when temperatures might fluctuate. OP you don’t have to measure out liquids for the hold but you may for hand luggage (remember to check rules for return airport). One thing I always do for my liquids is put them in sealable bags so if one does leak it doesn’t go all over the stuff in the suitcase.

OP you’ve mentioned about health problems. If you take any medication, I recommend ALWAYS keep it with you in your hand luggage, and I mean the whole holiday’s worth, plus some extra just in case. Do not put important medication in your main baggage, just in case it gets lost or delayed. This is especially important if you have specialist medication for a long-term medical condition or chronic illness.

Also, please don’t feel embarrassed about not having been abroad much. There are too many travel snobs out there who think everyone should live the same life as them. There is no shame in asking these questions.

however I've only had couple of conversations IRL about it, and both times got a 'why on earth would you pay for hold luggage on such a short break?' reaction. WHich made me feel really silly, and like I was just someone who can't pack properly.

If it helps at all, I've been taking 2 or 3 holidays a year for the last 15 years or so and I always check a bag. I can't be bothered with the liquid rules and I actually quite like ditching my bag when I get to the airport and not having to lug it around with me. It's a preference thing, not an experience or ability to pack thing.

The only airline I would definitely pay to pre-book seats with is Ryanair - however, I've had a poor experience with them in the past so I never fly with them anymore. IME Easyjet don't separate groups by default, although they do push the pre-booking of seats quite hard during their booking process.

Definitely easiest to book both legs of your journey with the same airline - that way it's all one transaction and one set of luggage rules, both of which are easier if you aren't accustomed to booking much travel. Make sure you book direct with the airline though, it's really easy to get suckered into the 'sponsored' links on Google and end up on some third party website.

Firstly package holidays typically include both carry on and hold baggage eg up to 10kg in a defined (by the airline) bag and 20-23kg suitcase.

Booking flights separately:

Most dont include hold baggage but a carry on - check size and weight as differs by airline but six normally pack back size but needs to be accurate. Wear as much heavy stuff as possible, don’t take too many pairs of shoes and small toiletries or buy there.

Jet2 are the exception I believe they allow a 10kg bag included and they are excellent.

Beware Ryanair - I think they don’t even include a back pack but just a tiny bag included their base fare. It soon adds up.

Be savvy when booking in that remember you don’t have to choose the same fare for all travellers so you can book a fare with a hold bag and the rest without. Hold bags are each way so you have to double up. Think about what you’re taking and if stating in an Airbnb there may be a washing machine do you can always wash stuff (not udeal
on Holliday but if you’re trying to cut vista then it works well).

Laatly if you are going to need to use storage places for your bag as you have a late flight to en you will pay per bag/size so again it pays to pack down.

Also, if you are an anxious flyer and worried about getting things wrong then I would steer clear of Ryanair as they seem to go out of their way to catch people out and find reasons to charge you more at the airport.

Stick to other carriers if you can such as easyjet, BA, vuelling, Iberian etc

I travel, as both disabled and as the solo adult (with my kids), and there is no shame in not knowing how to go about it 🌷We joke about how we KNOW what to do at the airport etc, and yet seem to reset each time and get confused 😅

I have a very strict hand luggage only rule, even international trips, and it absolutely doable. One personal small bag and one backpack each. There's lots of tips online about how to pack things to make the most room in your bag (packing cubes, rolling clothes, etc)

In doing that you feel great when you can pick up your bag and leave the plane without waiting for hold luggage. Look at what items you must take, and then what you'd like to take, and streamline outfits to make different combinations. If you can buy it once you're there (toiletries) then do so.

Mostly wanted to say, when you've conquered a trip abroad that first time, you'll feel wonderful. All these small worries will fall by the wayside. Take lots of photos ❤️

Honestly I would do what you are suggesting and put a bag into the hold and then take a cabin bag each on the plane.

Small cross body bag with passports and phones can usually be worn onto the plane with no issue. If they get fussy put it into one of the cabin bags after all the checks.

Sitting together - book in advance if it is important to you.

I suggest same airline in and out - much less stressful for the first time.

You can actually buy cabin bags on Amazon etc that specifically state that they meet the size requirements of particular airlines. Have a search.

Just wanted to say as a stranger I am so proud of you for taking this step for you and your DC.

It doesnt matter if you have not travelled before - never be embarrassed - everyone has a first time for everything. I wish you and your DC an amazing time!

I know there's a desire to be minimalistic with handbaggage but of course any essentials such as medications really shouldn't go in checked baggage, and it might be worth carrying a tiny bit more than that..

Bags do occasionally go adrift even on straightforward itinaries and in the edge case of an overnight delay after you've checked in (lots in Munich a few days back and again over at places like JFK a couple of days back) there's no guarantee of getting your hold bags back before the next attempt at a departure..

As for bag sizes, yes it's a case (SWIDT) of different airlines having different rules.

Thanks all. Just to be clear - the 'underseat' bag, or 'small personal item' is free (everywhere I've looked at), but the 'cabin bag' that has to fit in an overhead locker is separate, and has to be booked/paid for?

So budget wise, it's looking sensible to take a 'small underseat' bag each (free) and then share a hold suitcase. No idea what weight it should be but that's at least something I can try and work out at home (and thanks for tip about medication, I hadn't thought to keep it all with me but you're right, I can't risk it getting lost).

I don't think I can book with Ryanair. It is one of my options for a cheap return flight, but I'll spend the whole holiday worrying about it!

I'll let others advise you on baggage as it can be SO confusing. But I really want to say this -

You mentioned that you've had significant illness/disability issues. Please, please book assistance when booking your flights. My DH has difficulty walking all the miles in airports with two new knees, but is otherwise ok. We get assistance for him for every single flight we take. It is fantastic and will really help you if you are a bit stressed about the whole thing.

The assistance people will be at the departure and return airport and they are so helpful, but you must book it ahead and go to the assistance desk at the airport. They will check your bags, get you through fast track security and passport control and whizz you down to the gate too. It's the best. Oh and your travelling companions can accompany you for the fast tracking etc. It will either involve a wheelchair or a buggy type thing.

I hope you have a terrific break, sounds like you really deserve it!

@Fattabby What companies did you look at ?
EasyJet holidays are flexible, we've used them for short breaks.
Also BA holidays, but I'm not sure if they do beach holidays.

There are basically 3 types of baggage:

1. small cabin bag - typically a handbag or backpack (think school backpack type of bag). This has to go under the seat in front of you and is usually included in your ticket price. Check dimensions with each airline. If you only take this and a handbag / small cross body type bag for your phone, passport etc around the airport then it will need to fit inside.
2. large cabin bag - a larger holdall / backpack or small case with wheels that has to go in the overhead locker. Most airlines now charge for these and again you need to check the dimensions. If you get a maximum size under-seat bag and one of these you could probably manage for 5 nights if you're savy with your packing.
3. hold bag - larger cases or bags up to around 20kg.

Now the problem with booking 3 tickets is that you often don't get the option to only add extra bags to a proportion of your tickets e.g. if you wanted to take 1 hold bag between you all and just a small cabin bag each, they want you to add it to all passengers on the booking. But play around with your options because it might be feasible. i wouldn't recommend splitting your party across different bookings if it's not though!

Also check jet2 holidays because I'm finding plenty of options for 5 night holidays from Bristol and they include luggage!

In term of different airlines, you would need to go with the smallest baggage allowance. If you travel out with a bag that was allowed as hand luggage on the way out, but too big for the return airline, you would have to put it in the hold, for an extortionate charge.

Personaly I prefer to go hand luggage only for short trips, as it saves the steps of getting it checked in and collecting it the other end, but i have little kids and find airports stressful with them, so will do anything to limit the time i spend there. I usually just buy a bag that's the exact dimensions allowed. If you look up " 'airline' cabin bag" on amazon it will come up with options. B&m also often have them. Role your cloths insted of folding to get more in.

I would look at Jet2 and Tui- I recently did 6 days at a beach resort in the Canaries but you could select however many nights you wanted as long as there are flights going. Jet 2 includes hold luggage and cabin bag so all good.

Yes both BA and easyJet you can tailor holidays completely to the length you choose. Often there is a small saving and a reasonable choice of hotels.
personally I would do a cabin bag for each passenger - it’s plenty and more convenient - but recognise this might be easier to judge for seasoned travellers. There’s no right or wrong way.
enjoy your break OP