A FREQUENT traveller has revealed why she always packs two identical suitcases whenever she goes anywhere.
Anyone who’s ever lost their luggage will know how much of a pain it is to track down replacement items and essentials while waiting for their suitcase to be located.
AlamyBettany Hughes takes two identically packed cases with her on holiday[/caption]
That’s why Bettany Hughes always travels prepared with an extra identically packed bag, in case of any problems.
The historian and TV presenter’s job takes her all over the world and during her travels she’s picked up one or two ideas about how to make life better for herself when on the road.
Among the steps she always takes when she travels is taking bags containing more or less exactly the same stuff, to make sure she isn’t left without the items she needs when she arrives.
She revealed why she started carrying two bags and the problems she’s encountered when she hasn’t followed her own advice.
She told Bloomberg: “I always pack two suitcases, even if that means there’s excess to pay. They’ll have either identical things in each one, or almost a copy, sort of like mirror suitcases.
“It means if you lose one, you’ve still got enough clothes. I first traveled alone when I was 15. I was so petrified of the idea of ending up there and being a kind of burden. That’s when I started the double-packing thing.
“I made a schoolgirl error last October, traveling to Trieste, Italy, to do a public lecture. I only took one bag and Lufthansa lost it. It meant I was stuck without my makeup, my clothes. It did turn up four or five weeks later, but I’d learned my lesson.”
Bettany’s travel “hack” is certainly an unusual one, and is one that will cost people a lot more money, if they’re having to pay for two checked suitcases.
However, there are ways passengers can ensure their luggage doesn’t go missing, without having to fork out extra money.
The main way people can save cash without losing their bags is by only flying with hand luggage.
That way their bags will be with them the whole time.
They can also minimise their chances of losing their suitcases by avoiding connections as much as possible.
Luggage goes missing a lot less often on direct routes.
Sun Online Travel’s resident flight attendant said those two methods are the easiest ways in which passengers can increase their chances of getting their luggage to its destination.
Hand luggage rules for UK airlines
We’ve rounded up how much hand luggage you can take on UK airlines when booking their most basic fare.
Ryanair
One personal bag measuring no more than 40cm x 20cm x 25cm
EasyJet
One personal bag measuring no larger than 45cm x 36cm x 20cm
Jet2
One personal item that fits underneath the seat in front and one cabin bag no larger than 56cm x 45cm x 25cm weighing up to 10kg
TUI
One personal item that its underneath the seat in front and one cabin bag no larger than 55cm x 40cm x 20cm weighing up to 10kg
British Airways
One personal bag no larger than 40cm x 30cm x 15cm and one cabin bag no larger than 56cm x 45cm 25cm weighing up to 23kg
Virgin Atlantic
One personal item that fits underneath the seat in front and one cabin bag no larger than 56cm x 36cm x 23cm weighing up to 10kg
They said: “Connections double the risk of your luggage going missing, so take direct flights if you can.
“You’ll be grateful when you land that you don’t have another flight to catch and you won’t have to worry about your luggage going missing.
“Flying without checked luggage is probably the best way to minimise that risk.
“If you’re in charge of all your luggage at every step of your journey – then you only have yourself to blame if it ends up getting lost.
“Flying with only hand luggage also means you’re not queueing forever at baggage reclaim when you land. It’s a win-win situation.”
Meanwhile, these are some of the best packing hacks for travellers.
And this is how to use a pillow to increase the amount of luggage you can bring.
PABettany takes two suitcases to ensure she doesn’t lose her important items[/caption]“}]]