Fashion pro shares the perfect airport bag to fit all your luggage in without paying any fees – and it’s only £12
With summer just around the corner, it’s time to start thinking about jetting off on a plane to sunnier climates than the UK.
With budget airlines enticing you in with cheap getaways, we’ve all thought we were in for a real bargain until you go to add a bag on.
Cue the price of your ticket shooting up (almost doubling in some cases) all to take your luggage on board.
These days many budget airlines including the likes of Easyjet and Ryanair only allow you to bring a small cabin bag big enough for a bikini free of charge.
But fear not, if you don’t want to pay extra to put your suitcase in the overhead lockers or hold, there are now some great options out there of bags that will fit under the seat and still give you enough room to take what you would have packed into your suitcase.
Here, Deputy Fashion Editor Abby McHale shows you the best bag you’ll need for your holiday, plus a range of others under the seat cabin bags.
Editor’s pick: Primark, £12
This bag from Primark is our perfect airport bag.
Not only is it just £12, but the brand really has thought of everything to make packing your holiday clothes into this a breeze.
Specifically designed to fit under the seat with soft material, it has a cushioned handle so it makes it super comfy to carry through the airport. Plus they’re long enough to go over your shoulder if you don’t want to carry it in your hand.
It has a main compartment which is big enough to carry your clothes and shoes as well as tech if you need to bring a laptop.
And it also features zipped side pockets so you can easily access the likes of toiletries or important documents.
Its waterproof fabric also means that if you ever get caught in the rain whilst travelling your belongings will stay nice and dry.
Best of the rest…
Amazon, £9.99
Amazon has a wide selection of under-seat cabin bags for you to choose from and this one is a steal at just £9.99.
Coming in a range of different colours, including black, pink, green and red there is plenty of choice.
Whilst it isn’t available on Amazon Prime, it doesn’t have a long wait time for delivery.
Designed with thicker straps to make it comfier to carry, this one doesn’t come with a shoulder strap, but you can buy one with for just £2 more.
Featuring one main compartment to put all of your items there is also a small zip on the outside for some extra room.
IT Luggage, £40
If you’ve been away recently and stood by the conveyor belt you will have seen countless IT luggage bags coming through.
Stocking in the likes of Primark and Matalan they are a great affordable luggage brand that also sells on its own website.
You wouldn’t think a hard suitcase would be able to fit under the seat, but in this case it does.
Specially designed with the right measurements this one saves the faff of having to carry anything.
With four wheels, a TSA combination lock and a durable hard shell finish this is certainly one of the more heavy duty cabin bags.
It does come with a slightly higher price tag at £40, however it is currently reduced to £30 on the website.
Inside you’ll also find plenty of room with extra pockets and zips just like your regular suitcase.
Decathlon, £6.99
This bag is mainly marketed as a gym bag, however the measurements also fit to be able to take it on as an under the seat bag.
At only £6.99 this is the cheapest out of all the bags and it also folds down flat for when you’re not using it.
Fitting 20L, it has a separate compartment for you to put your shoes in as well as a large main area for the rest of your clothes.
The bag also comes with a two year warranty and a 365 day return policy in case anything is faulty.
Plus when you’re not using it for travelling you could also use it as stated for a gym bag, so you get lots of use out of a bag that costs less than £10.
B&M, £7
Is there anything B&M does not sell?
The budget retailer is now selling under the seat cabin bags for just £7.
Coming in either black or grey, the design has a handheld strap as well as an extra one for your shoulder.
With a large front zip and main compartment, there is plenty room for you to pack everything you need.
Whilst you can’t buy this bag online, you can find your nearest store via its store locator section on the website.
The dimensions of the bag are 40x25x20cm which fit easily into the likes of Easyjet whose requirements are 40x36x20cm.
Amazon, £34.95
Whilst most under the seat bags are handheld or come with a shoulder strap, this one from Amazon is a handy backpack.
Not only does it mean extra comfort when carrying around but you could also use it for everyday use outside of your holiday as well.
Opening all the way around so it’s easier to pack into, like a suitcase, it has separate pockets inside so you can keep your belongings organised.
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
As well as having a main compartment it also features a back zip with space to easily put the likes of a laptop.
A side pocket is also there which is perfect for a water bottle.
Coming in five different colours and prints including leopard print this is on the pricier end of all of the bags at £34.95, however as it is a backpack there is scope to get a lot of use out of it.