Avoid getting fined by budget airlines this summer (Image: Adam Gerrard / Sunday Express)A few years back, I thought I’d hit the jackpot when I scored £50 return flights from Liverpool Airport to Barcelona with a carry-on case. I had diligently checked the baggage dimension rules and packed my items, thinking everything was in order – only to realise I’d made a beginner’s mistake. Although my cabin case was within the specified dimensions, I hadn’t taken into account that the wheels and handle were included in these measurements. Consequently, I was charged extra for both outbound and return flights – which significantly dented my modest holiday budget. I was disappointed, but with no other option at the boarding gate, I had to pay up. Since that incident, I’ve been extra careful about the bags I bring on board budget airlines. Now, my go-to cabin case for budget airlines is Antler’s Icon Stripe Cabin in Taupe. It’s not cheap at £140 (currently reduced from £175 in the brand’s summer sale), but it has saved me a significant amount in hand luggage fines.
Antler’s sleek ‘Icon’ cabin case is perfectly sized
(Image: Antler)
I’ve used it on TUI, Ryanair and Jet2 flights without any issues. Plus, it comfortably fits plenty of outfits, shoes and accessories – perfect for satisfying my tendency to overpack, reports the Manchester Evening News. EasyJet’s standard baggage policy, as reported by Birmingham Live, allows all passengers to bring one small under seat bag on board free of charge. There’s no weight limit, but the bag must fit under the seat in front of you and can’t be any bigger than 45x36x20cm, like this Chelsea Overnight Bag from luxury suitcase brand Antler. The airline also specifies that this bag measurement must include any wheels and handles. EasyJet uses baggage sizers at its check-in desks and airport gates and passengers may be asked to place their bag inside to prove that it fits. If the main body of the bag fits but handles, wheels or straps are poking out and cannot be tucked away, passengers may still be charged. EasyJet’s £48 Airport Bag Fee applies to any small hand luggage bag or large hand luggage bag that is found to be over that person’s paid-for allowance. EasyJet has urged its passengers to ‘please check the dimensions’ before leaving for the airport and added: “If you think your luggage might be bigger than your allowance, please measure it and don’t forget to include any handles and wheels, and check it against your allowed size here. If it’s too big you can add additional baggage in your account before you check in.”
Antler’s Icon Cabin Case has been a saviour for Rachel
(Image: Rachel Pugh)
“If you’re told at the check-in or bag drop desk that your luggage is too big you’ll need to pay a £48 fee. If our ground crew tell you at the gate that your luggage is too big, you’ll have to pay the fee at the gate.” EasyJet passengers have the chance to upgrade to a larger cabin bag, allowing them to carry a suitcase up to 56x45x25cm in size – just the dimension for Antler’s best-selling Clifton Cabin Bag, which is currently on sale with a generous £42 off! Jet2 also brings good news for travellers preferring hand luggage bags facilitated with wheels or handles, ensuring that the entire case doesn’t exceed the dimensions of 56x45x25cm. This is the standard cabin bag size for all Jet2 passengers. As per their policy: “You can take one piece of hand luggage onboard free of charge, as long as it weighs no more than 10kg and is no larger than 56cmx45cmx25cm including wheels and handles.” In other unbeatable deals found on Amazon, the five-star rated Lossga For Ryanair Cabin Bag 40x20x25 has been slashed down to £16.89 from its original price of £19.98. Not to forget the fantastic Amazon Basics Underseat Travel Suitcase popping with a Telescopic Handle and 2 In-line Skate Wheels, marked down to £59.98 from its earlier £79.98. Don’t miss out!Story SavedYou can find this story in  My Bookmarks.Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right.Follow OK! MagazineFacebookTwitterMore OnShoppingFashionTravel
