Whenever possible, air travellers prefer to keep their luggage with them. Considering how flights and airports work today, there are very good reasons for this. Let’s look at the advantages of carrying hand luggage instead of big suitcases and bags when you fly.
Short answer: Carrying only hand luggage means your bag can’t get lost, you skip the check-in and baggage claim queues, you avoid problems and extra fees on connecting flights, and your important things stay with you. Just check your airline’s size, weight and banned items rules before you pack.
Note: The lost luggage figures come from SITA reports for 2005 and 2018. Airline hand luggage rules change often, so always check your airline’s website before you fly.
Advantages of carrying hand luggage
There is no risk of your luggage getting lost
The first of the advantages of carrying hand luggage is that it can’t get lost. Despite new technology and dozens of improvements in baggage tracking, airlines still lose bags. The number of lost bags keeps falling, but it still happens. According to SITA, a Geneva-based company that develops baggage handling systems, about 20 million bags a year were lost in 2005, while in 2018 this number dropped to around 2 million out of 4.27 billion bags carried. With only hand luggage you can fly without worrying about this at all.
Hand luggage is more practical and faster
Fear of losing a bag is not the only reason people prefer hand luggage. It is also faster and more practical. If you only have hand luggage, you can check in online and go straight to your gate without queuing to drop off a suitcase. This saves a lot of time, especially on international flights. When you land, you don’t have to wait at the baggage carousel either.
You avoid losses and extra fees on connecting flights
Most lost luggage goes missing during transfers. When you have connecting flights, one of the biggest advantages of hand luggage is peace of mind. Some airlines may also charge extra fees when bags are delayed during a transfer, and carrying only hand luggage protects you from these as well.
You don’t pay for luggage trolleys
Luggage trolleys at airports can cost money. If you can fit everything you need for your trip into one piece of hand luggage, you won’t have to pay for them.
The things you need stay with you
Whether or not you also check a bigger suitcase, another advantage of hand luggage is that you can keep your important things with you. By carrying anything that would ruin your trip if it got lost in your hand luggage, you avoid a lot of possible trouble.
Before you pack, check your airline’s list of items that are not allowed on board and its size and weight limits for hand luggage, because the rules differ from airline to airline.
Hand Luggage FAQ
What are the advantages of carrying hand luggage?
Your bag can’t get lost, you save time at check-in and baggage claim, you avoid trouble on connecting flights and you don’t pay for luggage trolleys. Your important things also stay with you during the flight.
Is it faster to travel with only hand luggage?
Yes. You can check in online, go straight to security and leave the airport as soon as you land without waiting at the baggage carousel.
Why do bags get lost on connecting flights?
Most lost bags go missing while being transferred between planes, especially when the connection time is short. With only hand luggage your bag moves with you.
What should I check before travelling with hand luggage only?
Check your airline’s size and weight limits for cabin bags and its list of items that are not allowed on board, because these rules differ between airlines.
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