If you know you'll be trapped in a metal pipe miles above the ground for hours, you won't want to get bored. A perfectly prepared carry-on bag is one of the few things that stand between you and boredom. WikiHow is here to help you prepare your carry-on bag and suitcase, so you have everything you need to make it as easy as possible to endure the flight.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Prepare the carry-on bag for the day
The carry-on bag will be placed under your feet, while the suitcase or duffel bag will be tucked into the compartment on your head. You are generally allowed to carry two items for hand luggage. However, you can also choose to pack a larger suitcase or just take your bag with you on the plane. If you are going to opt for the suitcase only, scroll down to Method 2.
Step 1. Choose the right bag
Make sure it's tough, easy to carry, and capable of holding all your essential items. Most importantly, make sure it meets the airline's size requirements. Check the company's FAQs to find out what the maximum sizes allowed are. If you are flying with multiple airlines, check the ones you travel with most frequently and opt for a bag of a size that will meet the standards. A good way to figure out if this will work or not is to consider whether or not the bag fits under the seat in front of you.
- Vacation bag. The ideal one is a roomy bag with lots of pockets, which are great for keeping all your stuff separate: a wallet / phone pocket, a make-up pocket, a book pocket, etc. Large bags, shoulder bags or duffels are all good options, giving you plenty of room to store your stuff, and usually have good pockets.
- Business bag. As you may have already guessed, a briefcase is a great option, for both a man and a woman. Find one that can be carried on your shoulder in case you have to run to take flight. Briefcases that have internal organizers and a pocket for your wallet / cellphone / keys / other necessities are excellent solutions.
- Bag for little boys / teenagers / college students. Think of a backpack. Backpacks are ideal for keeping your laptop, school books, notes (in order to prepare you at the last minute for an exam) and games. Thanks to the hinges, they ensure that all things stay in place, so you don't lose your Nintendo DS or that super important notebook.
Step 2. Make a list of everything you will need to take with you
It's best to start with the essentials, then move on to entertainment and business items. The essential elements include the identity card / passport (depending on your flight, which can be domestic or international), the wallet with money or credit cards, the telephone, the medicines you may need and, of course, the airline tickets. The other items to consider packing include:
- Articles for work or school; could include your laptop, cell phone and laptop chargers, work notes, homework, classroom reading, etc.
- Entertainment: books, headphones and iPods, camera, portable consoles, DVDs to watch on the laptop, magazines, a travel book about your destination, toys, etc.
- Medicines and personal hygiene products. It is best to take any medicine you may need with you. You might also consider adding an extra pair of contact lenses, mouthwash, etc.
- Elements to help you sleep. They include a neck pillow, eye mask, earplugs, etc. Inflatable neck pillows are better because they take up very little space when deflated.
Step 3. You may want to take your gear with you to spend a night out
If you have to wait overnight at the airport during a layover or if your other luggage gets lost (pray to the travel gods not to), you might consider taking a couple of extra items on the plane with you. You could put them in a clutch bag, to put in the bag. They include:
A toothbrush and toothpaste, a comb or a brush, a clean change of underwear, socks and deodorant
Step 4. Make sure all your electronic gadgets and delicate items are protected
Carry-on bags have a tendency to get bumped a lot, so making sure you protect your valuables is usually a good idea. If you carry your laptop or tablet, make sure you have a good case.
Step 5. Prepare the liquids properly
Remember that most liquids are prohibited from security checks. You will need to prepare 100ml bottles and place them in a transparent, plastic and zip-closed bag. Each passenger can take only one with him, not exceeding a total liter. So avoid carrying the giant bottle of sunscreen with you.
You can put the larger bottles in a hold suitcase or buy the liquid items you need once you reach your destination. Purchase a bottle of water or sodas after going through security
Step 6. Insert what you need in easily accessible places
You will need to show your ID card and tickets at least twice before you leave, so it's important to keep them in a place where you can find them right away. Put the important items aside immediately, but don't put them in the bottom of the bag.
When you get your laptop ready, put it in your bag so it is easily accessible when you go through the security check. Most of the time you will need to take it out of the bag for examination. The same goes for the plastic bag containing the personal care products, if you decide to bring one with you
Step 7. Pack some anti-boredom entertainment items in your bag
Once you have the essentials prepared, insert the items to entertain yourself. Putting them on at the end ensures that they really fit in the bag. Don't load it too much - you don't want to go around 10kg too much. Make sure the zippers (if it has them) aren't broken so none of your stuff will fall off.
Do a search on the airline. Some planes have entertainment systems, others broadcast movies in flight, and some don't even serve meals. Prepare what you need accordingly so you don't get bored
Step 8. Bring warm clothes on the plane
Wearing a sweatshirt or jacket is always a good idea in flight, as they tend to drop the temperature to freezing. If you don't need it, you can always tie this garment to your carry-on or waist bag.
Method 2 of 2: Prepare the Hand Luggage Suitcase
Step 1. Choose your suitcase wisely
Although each airline has its own rules regarding the size of the hand luggage suitcase, most follow approximate guidelines of a sum of 1.15 linear meters for the three dimensions of the luggage (e.g. 36 + 23 + 56 cm). However, if you can find a 50cm long suitcase, you will have no problem - most companies believe this is the perfect size for the top compartment. Check the company's website for specific requirements.
You should also look for a suitcase that only has two wheels, because those that have four wheels have a tendency to slip everywhere (especially if you don't keep them while on the bus that transports you from the terminal to the plane)
Step 2. Remove all the clothes you want to take out of the closet
Once you have them all on the bed, cut the amount in half. Think about the lightness and tiny size of the suitcase. Do you really need three pairs of pants and 10 shirts? Probably not. Pack only what you really need. Also, opt for lighter, layered materials. Denim is heavier than fabrics like cotton, so consider the weight of the clothing you carry around.
- Coordinate the colors of the outfits. This will help you use the clothes in different combinations. Remember that black goes with everything.
- If you have serious problems limiting the amount of clothes you will carry around, try this rule: shirts can be worn for two days and pants or shorts for three days. Apply this rule to the clothing you have taken and you will see that the quantities will decrease.
Step 3. Decide which personal care products you will take with you
As this is hand luggage, you will be limited and can only fit a resealable plastic bag containing a maximum of one liter of liquids. You can also add a clutch bag with dry items, such as make-up, deodorant, etc. As for the bottles with larger liquids, you could buy them once at your destination, or use the mini-sizes they give you in hotels and motels.
Step 4. Plan your travel outfit before packing everything
You should bring the heaviest clothing on the plane so you don't overfill your bags. Put on a pair of jeans and a jacket or sweatshirt and mix heavier shoes together so that you have more space for other items in your hand luggage.
Step 5. Put the entertainment and electronics items and smaller items in the carry-on bag instead of the suitcase
After all, you have the option to take two items for hand luggage with you, one that will fit into the upper compartment (the suitcase) and one (the bag) that will be placed under the seat. Read Method 1 for tips on how to properly prepare your carry-on bag for the flight.
Step 6. Use a good technique to put the clothes in the suitcase
There are many ways to efficiently fill a bag. You can use one or try a combination. Make sure you keep everything you will need to pull out for security checks (like the clear bag) on top. Some of these techniques include:
- Rolling method. Roll up the pants into a small tube! You can do the same with other clothes - it's a great way to save space, especially if you compare it to folding all your clothes. It also creates fewer wrinkling problems.
- Use vacuum bags. They can be bought in many shops that sell household products. Pack your clothes into these bags, zip them up, and then tighten them until all air has been removed. You will be amazed at how little space they take up while containing different garments.
- Put things in every nook and cranny. Fill your shoes with socks, put your clothes in every free slot you find, use every space. It may not be the most organized suitcase, but you will surely have everything you need.
Advice
- Bring a light blanket or sweatshirt with you if you feel cold.
- Find out about the airline's baggage restrictions. Some allow you to carry a suitcase with a laptop case, handbag, or other personal item. Others may only allow one suitcase, and sometimes have strict policies on what size to allow. You need to know in advance, so as not to have problems at the last minute.
- Be sure to consult with the airline first to inquire about the requirements regarding the size and weight of your bags. Restrictions never fail.
- You could pack a snack for the flight. Provided it is well wrapped and not liquid, it should pass through security.
- Make sure you bring your electronic gadgets and enough cash for emergencies.
- Put in your hand luggage a sheet with your details written on it (name, address, telephone number and address where you can be tracked in the next few days). That way, if it gets lost, the airline staff can return it to you.
- For water, empty a bottle before security, and when you're at the gate find a drinking fountain and fill it up.
- Roll up your clothes - you'll gain a lot of space.
- Bring a change of clothes in your hand luggage, in case your suitcase gets lost or you need to freshen up after a bit of air sickness.
- You suffer more from flight turbulence if you sit in the queue, and less on the wings, so if you are prone to these disturbances, choose your seat carefully.
- Even if you are going on a long trip, pack as if you were two weeks away: you have to wash your clothes anyway - and well, if you think you don't want to wash them, that's a lot of clothes to hang around!
- Remember water - the humidity on airplanes is 15% lower than normal, so you may need it.
- Bring a doorstop. It prevents entry to anyone who wants to sneak into your room.
