How to choose the right type of travel item for you? Not sure which suitcase or travel item to buy? What is the best option: a hard suitcase, a soft suitcase, a suitcase with wheels, a travel bag, a cabin bag... In this section you will find practical advice and suggestions on which is the best option for you depending on your needs. You will also be able to consult the baggage restrictions of the main airlines in the world, with their limitations in terms of size and weight. If you still have any doubts after reading this advice, you can call us and we will advise you personally. 

Airline restrictions

In the case of air travel, it is important to be informed about airline baggage restrictions: weight, hand luggage, prohibited items, transport of liquids etc.  We recommend that before travelling by air you contact your airline to find out exactly what these restrictions are.

  • Aer Lingus
  • Aeroflot
  • Aerolineas Argentinas
  • Aeromexico
  • Air Canada
  • Air France
  • Air New Zealand
  • Alitalia
  • All Nippon Airways
  • American Airlines
  • Austrian Airlines
  • Bmi
  • British Airways
  • Brussels Airlines
  • Cathay Pacific
  • Cebu Pacifi
  • China Airlines
  • Continental
  • Czech Airlines
  • Delta Airlines
  • Easy Jet
  • Finnair
  • Iberia
  • Japan Airlines
  • KLM
  • Korean Air
  • LAN
  • LOT
  • Lufthansa
  • Malaysia Airlines
  • Malev
  • Martinair
  • Mexicana
  • Northwest Airlines
  • Olympic Airlines
  • Philippine Airlines
  • Qantas
  • Ryanair
  • Scandinavian Airlines
  • Singapore Airlines
  • Swiss International Airlines
  • TAM
  • Tap Air Portugal
  • Thai Airways
  • Transavia
  • United Airlines

MAXIMUM WEIGHT

As for the maximum check-in weight, on domestic flights the limit is 30 kg for passengers travelling in first class and 20 kg for passengers in economy class. On international flights, the limits are the same, with the exception of flights to America (USA, Canada and others), where the limits are established according to the number and volume of packages transported. If you exceed this limit, you normally pay an excess baggage fee, which varies according to the airline.

HAND LUGGAGE

For hand luggage, you can choose between a cabin suitcase and a cabin bag. The cabin suitcase is made of a stronger material. The cabin bag is made of a softer material and will fit more easily into the aircraft compartments.

Suitable suitcase size

When it comes to the size of your suitcase, it is important to choose the right size. If your suitcase is too big, your luggage will shift around and it will be easier for it to get creased. On the other hand, if the suitcase is too small, you will have space problems and it will also limit the shopping you want to do at your destination. It is therefore important to choose the right luggage for the type of trip you are making. Business trips, for example, will require suits or formal wear, and probably casual evening wear. Trips to warmer destinations will require lighter, and therefore less bulky, clothing. On a trip to a wedding or other social event, you will need both day and evening attire. Once you've determined what you need to take, it's important to check with your airline about baggage restrictions: size limits, weight limits, or even the number of bags you're allowed to check, to avoid additional overweight surcharges.

46-55 cm

SMALL SIZE

ideal for a day or weekend getaway. The great advantage of these sizes is that they are generally accepted as hand luggage by airlines. We recommend combining it with a cabin or hand bag that fits over the top of your suitcase.

56-65 cm

Size SMALL/MEDIUM

for long weekends or Easter holidays. These sizes are also suitable for a couple's weekend away. These sizes almost never exceed the weight limits set by the airlines (usually 20 kg). They can also be combined with a cabin or hand bag, which is recommended for carrying essential items such as medicines, glasses, jewellery or other objects.

66-69 cm

MEDIUM/LARGE SIZE

ideal size for a one-week or ten-day trip. Also for long weekends with your partner. They can hold several changes of clothes, shoes, accessories and a few extras.

+70 cm

LARGE SIZE

recommended size for longer trips of 2 weeks or more, or in the case of couples for 1 week.

Duration of the trip

1 day

2 days

days

4-7 days

7- 14 days

2 weeks or more

Recommended size

Small

Midsize

Midsize big
Big

Dimensions

46-51 cm

51-55 cm

55-61 cm

61-65 cm

65-75 cm

+75  cm

Hard or soft suitcase?

The decision to choose between a hard suitcase or a soft suitcase depends largely on personal preference. However, there are characteristics that make us choose one material or the other. For example, hard suitcases are more resistant to inclement weather and are also ideal for check-in on flights. They do not deform even when carrying a lot of luggage and are ideal for transporting fragile objects. Soft suitcases, on the other hand, weigh less and are more flexible, which makes them easier to fit into the compartments of means of transport.

RIGID SUITCASE

  • More resilient
  • No deformation
  • Suitable for check-in on flights
  • Ideal for fragile objects

SOFT SUITCASE

  • They weigh less
  • More flexible
  • More adaptable to transport compartments

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