Travel experts have revealed one type of baggage to avoid when flying with budget airlines to avoid unexpected baggage charges. Shares travel tips on Tiktok as a cheap holiday expert, Chelsea warned passengers not to use small suitcases as free cabin bags for budget airlines such as Ryan Air, EasyJet and With Air.
She explains that while these airlines allow one small bag for free, suitcases with wheels are more than allowed sizes, often incurring additional charges at the gate. In a video of Viralticutok, Chelsea said: Staff will look at the wheels and think the bag is too big, and the truth is probably so. ”
She continues to highlight the strict baggage size restrictions imposed by these airlines.
Ryan Air: 40 x 20 x 25 cmwizz Air: 40 x 30 x 20 cmeasyjet: 45 x 36 x 20 cm
To prove her point, Chelsea tested various bags on airline luggage sizers and discovered that most wheeled suitcases simply didn't fit. This means that passengers may be forced to upgrade or check their bags.
Even cabin bags sold as “approved” were still too bulky to narrow down to luggage checkers. Instead of a suitcase, she recommends using a soft backpack. This makes it easy to fit within the allowed dimensions, even if you're just slightly above the limit.
“There are some suitcases that are pretty much on the market, but most of them are completely no go, and it's much better to use a soft backpack instead.
Many frequent travelers agreed to Chelsea tips and commented that changing flexible backpacks and rigid suitcases can help prevent additional charges and boarding.
Budget airlines are strict about bag size and airport staff often target bags with wheels, assuming they don't fit in the free allowance.
As baggage charges rise and airlines crack down on oversized cabin bags, choosing a backpack over a suitcase can save passenger money and plenty of stress on their next trip.