Airlines are cracking down on hand luggage rules – with shopping bags, pillows and handbags all targeted

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IN RECENT years, videos of people showing how to get extra luggage on board flights have surged in popularity.

However, those hacks could soon become a thing of the past with some airlines introducing new measures that could make things even tougher for passengers.

GettyCameras now count as a personal item with Southwest[/caption]

Certain items are now being considered as “personal items” with some carriers, that used to not count towards luggage allowance.

This makes things a lot tougher for people to bring extra items on board.

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One of the bigger changes made recently was made by Southwest airlines in the United States.

It has changed its policy to “provide a consistent customer experience” that they claim “aligns with other airlines’ policies”.

As part of these changes, brought in last month, the airline is cracking down on the number of items a person brings on board the plane, rather than the size of their bags.

As a result, things like cameras, pillows, blankets and bumbags are now considered as “personal items” of which each person is only permitted to bring one on board, alongside a carry on bag.

The airline’s website states that “one small personal item is permitted” and that it must not exceed 18.5 x 8.5 x 13.5 Inches, and must fit under the seat in front.

The website also outlines that personal items include purses (including crossbody bags), briefcases, blankets, pillows (but not neck pillows), cameras, laptops and food containers.

However, any food intended for consumption during the flight, contained in disposable packaging will not be included.

All of this is bad news for travel enthusiasts online who have told people about the ways in which they can bring extra luggage on board their flights.

One popular hack involved people emptying pillow cases and filling them with clothes, which wouldn’t work under Southwest’s new rules.

Instead, passengers will have to make sure all their items fit within the carry-on rules, or they could face fines.

The Wall Street Journal said: “Southwest quietly began cracking down on carry-on bags on Feb. 22, ahead of the spring and summer travel rush, advising gate agents of the changes in a memo.

“This crackdown isn’t about bag size. It is about how many bags you have.

“Testing airlines’ carry-on limits is now more likely to backfire, and lose you precious time as airlines make you consolidate items or check a bag at the gate.”

For Brits worrying about their hand luggage for upcoming flights, here are all the rules for the most popular budget airlines in the UK.

Ryanair

All Ryanair passengers are allowed to bring a small personal bag on board, but it must fit under the seat in front.

The small bag must be no bigger than 40cm x 20cm x 25cm.

EasyJet

Each person is allowed to bring a small cabin bag on board.

It can be no larger than 45cm x 36cm x 20cm and can weigh no more than 15kg, this includes any handles or wheels, and it needs to be able to fit underneath the seat in front.

Jet2

Jet2 passengers can also bring a small piece of hand luggage on board free of charge.

Those bags must not weigh more than 10kg and can’t be any bigger than 56cm x 45cm x 25cm, including any wheels and handles.

Wizz Air

Wizz Air passengers can take one small cabin bag for free onto the plane.

Luggage must be no more than 10kg, and measure no more than 40cm x 30cm x 20cm.

Meanwhile, this hand luggage hack is a “secret weapon” for plane passengers.

And this £1 item could save space in your carry-on luggage.

GettyIt means passengers can take fewer items on board certain flights[/caption]“}]]