The secret to carry-on only travel revealed as airport chaos continues

A travel expert has revealed exactly how to embrace the ‘carry-on only’ baggage trend as unprecedented airport chaos continues to impact holidaymakers.

The trend has taken hold following a huge spike in lost or delayed baggage – with many seasoned travellers claiming it is the only way to ensure you aren’t separated from your suitcases when heading on holiday.

The baggage crisis began in 2021 after global travel restrictions began to lift, and has only deteriorated since then with up to 30 per cent of travellers experiencing lost or delayed luggage. 

Travel experts have revealed exactly how to embrace the ‘carry-on only’ baggage trend as unprecedented airport chaos continues

Flight Centre’s Corporate Traveller Global Managing Director Tom Walley has shared his top tips to getting everything you need into your cabin bag

Speaking to FEMAIL, Tom Walley from Flight Centre’s Corporate Traveller division revealed how both corporate travellers and holidaymakers can cram everything they need into their cabin bags.

He predicts chaos will continue until the end of the year ‘at minimum’ as ‘airports around the world slowly return to normal efficiency levels’.

But also believes most travellers can go without checked luggage, if they pack well.

One of the most important things to consider is the baggage allowance for your flights – some airlines allow customers to have a large carry-on bag as well as a personal bag.

Others only allow one bag, or weigh the personal bag, which can put customers over the limit.

The smallest, typical cabin bag allowance is  55cm by 35cm by 20cm, and about 7kg.

Tom’s tips below account for the smallest allowed size on domestic and international flights.

You should always try to take out 20 percent of your luggage after choosing what you want to take

1 – Book a hotel with a good range of amenities

Shampoo, conditioner and skincare can take up a lot of room and may go against your airline’s ‘liquid allowance’. Booking a hotel with a good range of products means you don’t have to go shopping for necessities when you land.

2 – Slim down on tech

Take an ultra-slim, lightweight laptop or tablet on the trip. If you need to take hardcopy presentation documents, contracts, training manuals or other files, consider digital copies – saved on a device, USB or on the cloud – and organise to have them printed at your destination hotel. Kindles are another storage idea for reading materials on your flights. They are ideal for storing large files and weigh no more than 188g, with a charge that can last weeks.

3 – Pack multi-purpose items

Pack business clothing that can transition into leisure wear and stick to neutrals that can adapt well to different situations. Consider taking loungewear that can be worn on international flights and for sleep. Packing three tops for every bottom can also help you transition the same items from day to night, and work to leisure. 

4 – Don’t waste space 

When packing, cleverly place smaller valuables inside other items. For instance, jewellery or phone chargers could be stored inside shoes or coat pockets. Tightly roll clothing items to allow for more compact packing and prevent creasing. Some experienced travellers, however, prefer folding clothes and prevent creasing by placing tissue paper between each fold to ensure items remain neat.

5 – Wear bulky clothes on board

Heavy and bulky items like jackets, jeans and hiking bots take up too much space and weigh too much to go in your cabin baggage. If you must bring these items it is a good idea to wear them on the plane. Another clever space-saver is to place loose items such as wallets, passports, and pens, into your jacket pockets, provided they have a secure zipper. Many flights have hooks on seats for passengers to hang jackets.

Baggage allowances differ by airlines – with the limits picture above being among the most conservative 

6 –  Reduce your luggage by 20 percent

Once you have planned what you want to take try to reduce it by 20 per cent – this will give you room to add more items later, including souvenirs.  

7 – Buy more carry-on

Many airlines allow you to purchase extra…