BUDGET airlines like Ryanair and easyJet only allow passengers to carry one personal item on board for free.
In a bid to keep holiday costs down, holidaymakers are putting their faith in small, but spacious personal bags, that meet strict hand luggage requirements.
GettyThe bag in question is the Under the Seat Handheld Bag, which is sold by UK high-street chain B&M[/caption]
B&MThe bag is “suitable for most airlines” because it measures 40cm by 25cm by 20cm[/caption]
Since the strict hand luggage requirements were introduced, underseat bags have been going viral online thanks to their money-saving prowess.
While most holidaymakers will be familiar with brands like Narwey and CabinMax, there’s a new player in town.
The bag in question is the Under the Seat Handheld Bag, which is sold by UK high-street chain B&M.
According to the B&M website, the bag is “suitable for most airlines” because it measures 40cm by 25cm by 20cm.
This means when the bag is flipped on its side, it should meet the exact carry-on requirements issued by Ryanair.
Its website states: “Always check travel restrictions with your airline before travelling. Please check the sizes of this product after packing your bag.
“Overpacking may cause the product’s dimensions to differ from the original measurements provided.”
The B&M bag comes in two colours, it’s made from polyester and it has a pocket on the front.
It can be purchased for just £7 from the B&M website or picked up at one of the retailer’s 660 stores – although customers are advised to check in advance to see if their closest shop stocks the bag.
While there aren’t any reviews of the bag online at the moment, the Sun Online Travel team has tried out plenty of different underseat bags to help you choose which is the best one to take on your flight.
AmazonI tested out the Narwey Duffel Bag – and it had one downside[/caption]
The Narwey Duffel Bag
After holidaymakers described the bag as a “life-saver”, I decided to put the bag through its paces on a five-day trip to Bratislava, Slovakia, and Vienna, Austria.
I strategically packed the bag and filled it with plenty of items, including a microfibre towel, two dresses, two pairs of tights, three t-shirts, a pair of trousers, underwear, socks and a pair of pyjamas.
Other items I squeezed inside included a tightly-packed liquids bag, a make-up bag, a shampoo bar, a toothbrush, electricals and a Kindle.
While it may sound like too much stuff, I was surprised at how easily the bag slid into the luggage-size checker at the airport.
The only downside to the bag was the handle, which felt very rough and dug into my hand as I carried it around Europe.
The bag can be bought from £15.99 via the Amazon website.
Trinary Underseat Cabin Suitcase, it
Last year, Sun Online Travel’s Kara Godfrey tested out the tiny magenta suitcase.
The dinky Trinary Underseat Cabin Suitcase abides by nearly all airline restrictions, (excluding Ryanair, sadly).
According to Kara, there’s still enough space to cram clothes and toiletries for a long weekend.
There are compression straps, which means you can pack a lot more inside the suitcase, while still fitting it underneath the plane seat.
The bag also has two zip pockets on the front, which Kara described as “perfect for keeping a passport safe – as well as a TSA lock for extra security”.
Each suitcase comes with a 10-year warranty, so you’re covered if it ever breaks
AmazonSun Online Travel’s Ryan Gray described the bag as “practical” and “sturdy”[/caption]
CabinMax Metz stowaway backpack
A lot of people have raved about the 20L rucksack, which only weighs 500 grams.
It’s been described as an “ideal companion for Ryanair flights” as well as other major airlines.
Ryan Gray, from Sun Online Travel, frequently uses his CabinMax Metz Stowaway backpack when flying, and he said: “It’s very practical and gives you peace of mind knowing that you’re not going to exceed the baggage limits with most airlines.
“It’s roomier than you might expect a backpack to be and I’ve been able to take it away on a five-day trip, meaning I didn’t have to pay any extra for my luggage. It’s sturdy too – I’ve had mine for several years now and had no problems with it.”
Meanwhile, Ryanair passengers are obsessed with this hard shell suitcase that fits under the budget airline’s seats.
Meanwhile, this flight attendant revealed how they feel about passengers trying Tiktok luggage hacks on their planes.
And this 20p hack can help you avoid having to pay for extra hand luggage.
B&MThe B&M underseat bag comes in two colours[/caption]