The range of bags available was impressive, with many high-performing and popular options that left us spoiled for choice. Our price comparisons revealed that good quality carry on travel bags are available for all budgets. It was a close call but we crowned the American Tourister Bon Air Spinner our top choice for 2020. The four 360 degree wheels and adjustable button locking handle make it easily manoeuvrable and smooth to push. The case is securely fastened with a three-digit combination lock (so effective that we struggled to get into the case at first), and a clever zip lock that traps the zips, rendering them tamper-proof. One of the things we loved about the American Tourister Bon Air is its neat, stylish appearance and the wide range of colours on offer. A case in mint green, fresh pink or lilac certainly wouldn’t be difficult to spot in the overhead compartment.
As well as an attractive exterior, the inside of this case offers a well thought out organisational system of mesh pockets, compartments and dividers that help you pack with ease. At £79.99, the American Tourister Bon Air is an affordable carry on case that is priced lower than many of its similar competitors. There isn’t much to criticise about this well designed and functional carry on case and it is well-deserving of our top choice place.
Dimensions: 55 x 40 x 20 cm Weight: 2.5 kg Volume: 31.5 litres
This carry on bag is great for multiple uses and is super lightweight and sturdy. It is suitable for work travel as it has its own padded laptop pocket which will fit a 15 inch laptop. There are also multiple zippered pockets designed to be easily accessible for passports and documents needed during your flight. It functions as a carry on suitcase but can be quickly converted into a backpack which is really useful for students and frequent travellers. The straps can be removed quickly if you want to carry it like a suitcase.
Dimensions: Main compartment 14 x 33 to 35.5 x 54.6 cm (full-expansion zipper gives an extra 10 per cent of space) Weight: 3.6 pounds Volume: 45 litres
It is specially designed for work travel as it has a special padded laptop compartment that is big enough for a 17-inch laptop and is made from eco-friendly, durable and water-resistant fabric. It has comfortable padded shoulder straps and multiple outside straps to make it easy for you to lift into the overhead compartment or maneuver through security.
Dimensions: 18.5 x 9.5 x 12.5 inches Volume: 40 litres
What Are the Benefits of Travelling With a Carry on Bag?
Although you can take any appropriately-sized bag on a plane, a carefully designed carry on case will make your life easier. Designed to maximise the use of space while remaining compact enough to comply with airline regulations, a good travel case will allow you to pack more items and access your belongings easily on your flight. They are usually made from robust and hard-wearing materials to protect the contents more effectively than a standard bag. Carry on bags are often mounted on wheels so you can push or pull them easily without trying to carry a bulky, heavy bag throughout your journey. For shorter trips, or if you’re good at packing light, making good use of a carry on case can help you avoid checking in your luggage. This means you won’t have to wait at the carousel upon your arrival, and you can exit your destination airport and start your holiday without delay.
Airline Regulations
Most airlines that fly from the UK have similar regulations about what size luggage is allowed in the cabin and the maximum weight limits. Be sure to check with your airline before you travel, but as a guide, here are the current size and weight restrictions for some of the top companies that fly from the UK:
British Airways – 56 x 45 x 25 cm, 23 kgs easyJet – 56 x 45 x 25 cm, no weight restrictions Emirates – 55 x 38 x 20 cm, 7 kgs First Choice – 55 x 40 x 20 cm, 10 kgs Jet2.com – 56 x 45 x 25 cm, 10 kgs Thomas Cook – 55 x 40 x 20 cm, 8 kgs Tui – 55 x 40 x 20 cm, 10 kgs
You can see that they are generally very similar, but a breach of these regulations means you may be asked to check your bag into the hold, so it’s worth double-checking before you go. Bear this in mind when shopping for a new carry on travel bag too.
Key Features to Consider When Buying a Carry on Travel Bag
Here we’ve noted the key features that are worth considering when purchasing a carry on bag or case. You may also have specific requirements to meet when choosing your luggage, so having a clear idea of what you do or don’t want will help you make a decision.
Wheeled or Carried
The first thing you need to consider is whether you prefer a bag that you can carry on your person, or one with a wheeled base that can be pushed or pulled. This will depend on your physicality and strength, how readily you need to access the contents of your bag and personal preference. A backpack has to be removed every time you want to get something from it but does leave both hands free. A wheeled case takes the physical load so you don’t have to, but will occupy one hand at all times and can be tricky to steer.
Size and Weight
The primary function of a carry on bag is to remain accessible during your flight. You’ll be asked to check your bag into the hold if you contravene size restrictions. Check requirements with your airline and invest in some luggage scales before you go.
Volume
Smaller cases are easier to handle, cost less (generally) and offer more convenience. Whether you’ve mastered travelling light or not, choosing the correct volume will make your life easier.
Durability
Advances in the plastics materials industry mean that hard shell cases are now extremely durable while also being light enough to carry. This means that luggage with a hard exterior is popular and affordable, and lasts for years. Fabric bags still serve the parts of the market that prefer a soft and flexible (and often less expensive) option, but if you opt for a fabric or soft shell bag, check that reviews vouch for its durability. A split case is no fun when you’re travelling.
Appearance
If you like to travel in style, you’ll also want to consider how your luggage looks. Gone are the days of plain black cases being the only option available. You can now purchase carry on bags and cases in a wide range of colours, materials and designs.
Ease of Access
Your carry on bag needs to be convenient and practical so you can access the contents easily when travelling through the airport and during your flight. A good travel bag will have factored this into the design. Look out for external pockets for your passport and documents, mesh compartments for storing your liquids and any other design features that will make your life easier as you travel. Although this bag is not as big as many of the others we reviewed, it still provides a respectable 25 litres of capacity, perfect for those who travel light. The soft, flexible design of this holdall style bag means it can fit under the seat in most aircraft (but do check your specific airlines restrictions), and it has an external and an internal pocket to keep your essential items to hand. This carry on bag may not be quite as robust as a sturdier bag, especially for heavy use by a frequent flyer, but for an occasional flight or for someone who struggles to carry a more substantial or heavier bag, this could be the ideal solution.
Dimensions: 39 x 31 x 21 cm Weight: 0.65 kgs Volume: 25 litres
Available in a range of colours and with a branded silver bar at the front, this case looks sleek and classic. The base is mounted on four multidirectional wheels to make it easy to push and manoeuvre. The interior layout is pretty basic, with elastic support straps on one side, a zipped compartment at the other and a small extra pocket in the centre. Security features include a three-digit combination lock and zip fasteners.
Dimensions: 55 x 40 x 20 cm (expanded dimensions: 55 x 40 x 24 cm) Weight: 2.6 kgs Volume: 37 liters (44 litres when expanded)
The padded tech pocket is a feature we love – it accommodates a laptop and a tablet in an easily accessible external pocket (if you love organisation, this is the case for you). Security is a priority in the design features and the external pocket is slash-proof, lockable and RFID resistant (to stop unauthorised contactless payment attacks). Even the zips are puncture resistant and lockable. This case looks good and comes in brick red, woodland green or black polyester. We think this carry on case is best suited to a seasoned traveller venturing off the beaten track who is in need of a reliable bag with a particular focus on security.
Dimensions: 55 x 34 x 24 cm Weight: 2.7 kgs Volume: 40 litres
Backpacks can be a little cumbersome and require a certain level of strength and fitness if you’re to carry one around for any length of time. This travel backpack, however, stands out for its neat design, sleek look and ideal size. It comes in over 30 colour options and has three lockable zipped pockets for easy access to essential documents. The Cabin Max Metz backpack is made from recyclable polyester; a feature we particularly love. One of the other bags in this range is itself made from recycled plastic bottles (the Metz Re.Source). Sadly, the extremely lightweight fabric used may have impacted the quality of the construction of this carry on backpack, with reports of the stitching coming undone during use.
Dimensions: 55 x 40 x 20 cm Weight: 0.7 kgs Volume: 44 litres
It offers much the same as other cases we reviewed – wheeled base, an extendable handle and zipped internal compartments. However, there are no standout features that make this case a must-buy. The base has two wheels, rather than four, so this case has to be pulled along rather than pushed. Although most online reviews are positive, some customers did question the strength of the nylon exterior of the case. Overall, this is a stylish travel case at an affordable price, but it doesn’t offer any standout or remarkable features that compel you to buy.
Dimensions: 51 x 32.5 x 23 cm Weight: 2.5 kgs Volume: 42 litres
It’s important to choose a bag that fits within most airline size restrictions and that suits your requirements and taste. Whether you settle on a hard shell, fabric, wheeled or carried travel bag, we advise that you consider which features are important to you and carefully research the options available within your budget. The right purchase will help you enjoy a relaxed and convenient airport and flight experience.
