In the low cost game you can easily get cheap flights for as little as $20 to $100. This attractive figure includes carry-on baggage but not the suitcase that goes on hold – and that's the catch. Obviously airlines know that you won’t be able to travel without taking the whole house with, and you’ll need a suitcase for that.
And for that suitcase they will charge you between $30 to $100 more, making the price you saw at the beginning much less attractive…
Baggage policy is similar for all low cost airlines and includes two types of baggage:
1. Those that you take with you on-board i.e. Carry-on baggage of Cabin baggage – it can be a school bag or a trolley. These go for free, or for a reduced, fee.
2. Suitcases that go in the hold of the plane for a fee i.e. Hold Luggage or Checked Baggage.
The precise measurements for this type of baggage (weight, size and price) will appear while ordering the tickets.
Notice! These details change based on airline.
Tip no.1: When you find a cheap price – buy the tickets! Cheap tickets disappear quickly. Don’t waste time thinking about the suitcases you’ll need. Low-cost companies allow you to add the luggage anytime later, after buying the tickets.
Tip no.2: Even though the baggage policy can be found on the company’s website, it can sometimes tricky to find. You can simply Google the airline + luggage allowance/baggage policy.
For example, this coming month I’m going to fly with Aegean Airlines to Cyprus. This will be my first flight with them and I’m not familiar with their baggage policy. So I Googled "Aegean luggage allowance" and was immediately directed to the correct page.
To make things even easier for you, I’ve assembled here the baggage policies of most airlines in the world.
So how can you fly without luggage?
Look back at your last vacation. Were all the clothes and stuff you brought really needed?
I, too, used to travel with a suitcase ‘till I got to the conclusion that no, I don’t really need to take the whole house with on vacation.
I’ve made the ultimate list for my travels, and even found place for extras like ski gear.
It’s always possible to tie an extra jacket or hoody around the waist during check-in. 😉
Although by backpack is a bit longer than allowed on most carriers, I’ve never been asked to pay for it.
How?
Only because measuring the bags is done using bag sizers, not rulers. The airline crew might ask you to place your bag in one of the box sizers to see that it’s allowed onboard.
I’m aware of it, leaving the topmost compartment empty so it fits easily in the box.
My backpack, or any other soft bag, has an advantage over trolley bags as it has more room and is flexible enough to fit the sizer box.
A trolley bag has to fit the box including wheels and handle, considerably reducing available storage room.
Look how simple it is to fly without a suitcase – everything fits inside a small backpack!
So fly with a backpack, beat the system at their own game, and keep that attractive price you saw at the beginning. 😉
