The journey of a holiday abroad is a magical thing. First, the packing of luggage (yes, we all pack twenty more knickers than we'll ever need because what if??) Then the early morning trip to the airport, the anticipation. The plane ride up into the sky, with clouds and slightly terrifying mild turbulence. And then... the best bit. When that warm air hits you as you step out of the plane. The smell of new adventures.
Yes, well that's all fine and dandy- until you remember the worst part of airline travel- the hand luggage fee. Quite why airlines want to drain all of our coins from our pockets, we'll never know. But what we do know is that juggling bringing the right amount of luggage, in the right bags, whilst trying to avoid extra fees, is a certified nightmare. That's why our eyes lit up when we discovered the Kono Under-Seat Luggage Bag.
A specially designed holdall measuring 35 x 20 x 20cm... AKA the size you can take for free in the cabin when flying with Ryanair. It is also accepted on virtually all major airlines worldwide; Including EasyJet, British Airways, Etihad, Emirates, Delta, Flybe, Lufthansa, Norwegian, Jet2, KLM, Qatar, Wizz Air and Virgin Atlantic, to name just a few.
Perfect size for the free cabin bag...
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Naturally, we had to try it out, and we can confirm it's as good as they say. Spacious and comfortable to carry, our keen editor fits in enough stuff for a long weekend away in Dublin (including two pairs of shoes, cleverly bound together with elastic bands - times are tough). The zips aren't the highest quality, so be sure not to overfill it, but for the price, it's to be expected. It's also perfect for weekends away when you're not hopping on a flight, so we're entirely sold.
Pros
- Accepted on virtually all major airlines worldwide
- Premium quality Oxford cloth which is lightweight and strong
- Front zipped pocket
- Includes a length-adjustable shoulder strap for convenience
Cons
- Don't overfill, or the zips might break
A TikTok sensation, as loved by @franchescarosee, the magical Mary Poppins luggage is a godsend for anyone travelling on a short trip abroad.
Reviews on Amazon also rave about the Kono bag...
"Bought this for Ryanair's specific (and small) hand luggage specs as an additional bag to go with my cabin case. I am really impressed and pleased with my purchase. I managed to fit all my travel documents, purse, straighteners, liquids bag, makeup bag, kindle, chargers, headphones and two Christmas presents and still had room to spare. Comes in handy for getting through security quickly by putting everything you need to take out of the bag to go through the scanner, in one go. Most important for me was that it sat on my case handle as I constantly struggled with bags slipping and sliding off. Overall, extremely happy. Will be used for plenty more trips to come!"
"As a single lady travelling I knew I wouldn’t be able to handle a big bag and a suitcase so I opted for this. It’s small but holds loads with a pocket for your passport etc. found it really useful. It looks strong as well so I’m hoping for many more holidays with it!"
The Kono bag comes in a range of colours, and it's frequently on offer, too.
We've also got some more cabin luggage to browse through. Thank goodness for Amazon.
SHOP: Amazon cabin luggage under £15
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No need to worry about the safety of your belongings, as the Aerolite Flight Bag features a spacious and lockable main compartment to help keep your items safe.
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Apart from using it as a cabin bag, outside your holiday, you can use the Luggage & Bags Flight Bag in the gym, as it's made from durable polyester material.
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The Bluemoon Bedding Cabin Carry-On is made from Nylon/Polyester material which maintains a good balance between lightweight and firmness.
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Available in a wide range of funky colours, one reviewer writes "I like the bright spotty material and the firm way it fits on my luggage trolley. It's roomy and sturdy. The shoulder strap is padded for comfort."
Ruby Barry is a Product Writer for Closer magazine, specialising in fashion and beauty. The team has nicknamed her “dupe queen”, as there’s not a product in the world she can’t find a cheaper alternative of.