Cabin luggage

Cabin luggage, also called hand luggage, carry-on luggage or a cabin bag, is any bag or suitcase you take on board the aircraft with you rather than putting into the hold. It travels in the overhead locker or under the seat in front, staying with you for the entire journey. Check-in luggage, by contrast, is handed over at the airport and loaded separately into the hold. The main advantages of travelling with a cabin bag are speed (no waiting at baggage reclaim) and cost (no checked baggage fees on many airlines). It does mean you need to pack a little more thoughtfully, but most travellers who switch to cabin-only never look back.

It really comes down to how you travel. A cabin suitcase, especially a 4-wheel spinner, is brilliant if you like to stay organised, access your clothes easily, and glide effortlessly through airports without breaking a sweat. A cabin backpack is a great choice if you prefer hands-free movement, travel super light, or fly with budget airlines that only allow a smaller underseat item for free. Some travellers even use both: a wheeled cabin case in the overhead locker and a compact backpack tucked underneath the seat. The best option is simply whichever one fits your trip, your packing style, and your airline's rules.

Absolutely, with the right packing strategy, a 55cm cabin suitcase can handle a week away without any trouble. The key is to pack light, roll your clothes, and make use of every compartment. Expandable cabin cases give you a little extra breathing room when you need it, which is especially handy if you're planning on picking up a few holiday treats. Many experienced travellers manage week-long trips, purely on cabin luggage. It takes a bit of practice, but once you've nailed it, it's a total game-changer for how you travel.

Hardside cabin luggage has a rigid shell, typically made from polycarbonate or ABS, that holds its shape, protects its contents, and tends to look super sleek and modern. It's a great choice if you want to make a style statement or need to protect fragile items. Softside cabin luggage is made from fabric and has more flexibility, which can be handy for squeezing into tight overhead lockers, and often features external pockets for quick access to documents, headphones, or snacks mid-flight. Both options come in a wide variety of colours and designs across the American Tourister range, so the choice mostly comes down to personal preference.

Every airline sets its own cabin baggage size rules, and they vary more than you might expect. Some carriers include a full cabin bag for free, while others only allow a small underseat item without an extra charge. We've created dedicated pages for the most popular UK airlines, including Ryanair, easyJet, British Airways, and Eurowings, where you can browse bags and cases that are sized to fit their allowances. As a general rule, always check the current baggage policy directly on your airline's website before you travel, as rules can be updated at any time. A little bit of research before you pack saves a lot of stress at the airport.

Yes, most airlines treat children's cabin baggage allowances the same as adults, meaning each child with their own ticket is entitled to their own cabin bag. That's actually great news for families, as it means more total packing space for the whole group. Giving kids their own suitcase to wheel through the airport also makes them feel part of the adventure and, bonus, keeps them entertained during the terminal trudge. Our kids' cabin cases are compact, lightweight, and built in fun designs that little ones will genuinely love.