Holidaymakers don’t have to splash out on expensive cabin bags, as Primark is stocking a £25 option. The retailer is selling a ‘pull-along cabin bag’ in two colours, so everyone can ‘travel in style.’ The luggage could be ideal for anyone who is planning to fly this year.
Primark says the bag is ‘perfectly sized for the essentials,’ and it meets the cabin bag requirements of several airlines. Shoppers interested in the £25 Trolley Cabin Bag can purchase it online or in-store. Primark sells a black style and a white-and-black style. It measures 26cm x 40cm x 20cm.
According to easyJet’s website, passengers can carry one bag measuring 45 x 36 x 20 cm on board for free, or pay to bring one large cabin bag measuring 56 x 45 x 25 cm. Ryanair’s website says passengers can carry one bag measuring 40 x 30 x 20 cm on board for free, or pay to bring one cabin bag measuring 55 x 40 x 20 cm.
Primark says its bag helps passengers ‘make the most’ of their packing options. The full product description reads: “Travel in style with our pull-along cabin bag. There’s a lot to love about this trolley cabin bag.
“Whether you’re a carry-on only expert or are simply looking to make the most of your packing options, this cabin pack is perfectly sized for the essentials. It benefits from a large main compartment with a secure zip fastening as well as an external zipped pocket to the front for extra organisation.”
The description continues: “Carry the bag with the two top handle webbing straps or pull it along, thanks to the addition of two wheels at the base. For enhanced organisation, why not check out our other travel essentials?”
Alternatively, Primark sells a £12 Quilted Underseat Cabin Bag in black or white. The product description states: “Travel smart with this cream quilted cabin bag, designed to fit perfectly under your seat.
“The diagonal stitching adds a sophisticated touch while multiple compartments, including a handy back zip section, keep your essentials organised. Ideal for weekend getaways or business trips, this sleek carry-on helps you breeze through airports with effortless style. The sturdy handles and practical size make it the perfect companion for travellers who appreciate both form and function.”
For £20, there’s also a Handled Travel Bag in black or pink. The product description states: “Pack up and head out in style with this sleek black travel bag, perfect for weekend getaways. With a spacious zippered main compartment and a convenient front pocket for easy access to your essentials, it’s both functional and versatile.
“The bottom compartment offers extra space for shoes or wet items, while the sturdy webbing handles make it easy to carry. Add a detachable shoulder strap for comfort or use the handles to carry it by hand. Ideal for short trips and organised packing!”
Just in time for the February half-term and to prevent the stress of travel, Wizz Air is offering a new nifty bag drop of hack for UK holidaymakers who have early morning flights
Wizz Air has introduced a new nifty check-in service for its passengers (Image: Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Ahead of a busy travel period, Wizz Air has introduced a new check-in procedure that allows UK travellers to drop their bags off at the airport the day before they fly.
Airports are expected to be busier than usual as hundreds of families jet off abroad during the February half-term for a sun-soaked getaway, while other travellers seek a winter escape amid the chilly British weather. In a bid to help Brits have a smooth start to their holiday, Wizz Air has introduced a twilight check-in option.
Available from today (Monday, 16 February), the new service allows passengers to check in and drop their luggage off at London Luton Airport the night before they fly. It will be available seven days a week, between 9pm and 2am, for travellers departing on a flight scheduled up to 9am the following morning.
Wizz Air is the third airline to offer twilight check-in at Luton Airport, following EasyJet and Jet2, who introduced the option to their passengers last year. It comes at the perfect time amid the February half-term, as Luton Airport alone is predicted to handle a whopping 325,000 passengers during the week. (It’s worth noting that TUI also offers the service although not from Luton, but other airports including Gatwick).
Following Valentine’s weekend, Amsterdam, Bologna and Paris are thought to have been Luton Airport’s most popular destinations for couples jetting off for a romantic escape. Meanwhile, Berlin, Budapest, Lisbon, Prague and Seville are among the favourite destinations for a half-term city break, offering warmer climates and charming streets to explore.
For UK travellers looking for a sun-soaked getaway, Palma de Mallorca, Murcia and Malaga are ranked as Luton’s most favourable destinations. While Lanzarote, Madeira and Turkish hotspots Antalya and Dalaman have also proven popular among those looking for a winter sun escape with blistering rays.
To keep up with demand, Wizz Air is set to launch new routes from Luton to Barcelona, Madrid, Bilbao, Valencia and Seville from March 29. Meanwhile, Jet2 will launch five new routes to Corfu, Kos, Preveza, Skiathos and Menorca, from May 21.
Clare Armstrong, Head of Guest Experience at London Luton Airport, commented: “February half term provides the perfect opportunity to take a well-earned break and to escape the notorious British weather that we typically see this time of year. As ever, our teams will be working hard to deliver a simple and friendly passenger experience to all those travelling from the airport, from Valentine’s couples heading off for a romantic getaway, to families searching for sunshine and solo travellers exploring new regions.
“The launch of another twilight check-in service will mean even more passengers can get their travels off to the swiftest and simplest start and follows another hugely exciting year for LLA, with continued investment in passenger facilities, new shops and restaurants and record customer satisfaction scores achieved. We are all set for another busy and exciting week, and we’re thrilled to see so many passengers choosing LLA as the starting point for their travels.”
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A shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security that took effect early Saturday affects the agency responsible for screening passengers and bags at airports across the country. Travelers with airline reservations may be nervously recalling a 43-day government shutdown that led to historic flight cancellations and long delays last year.
Transportation Security Administration officers are expected to work without pay while lawmakers remain without an agreement on Homeland Security’s annual funding. TSA officers also worked through the record shutdown that ended Nov. 12, but aviation experts say this one may play out differently.
Trade groups for the U.S. travel industry and major airlines nonetheless warned that the longer Homeland Security appropriations are lapsed, the longer security lines at the nation’s commercial airports could get.
Here’s what to know about the latest shutdown and how to plan ahead.
What’s different about this shutdown?
Funding for Homeland Security expired at midnight Friday. But the rest of the federal government is funded through Sept. 30. That means air traffic controllers employed by the Federal Aviation Administration will receive paychecks as usual, reducing the risk of widespread flight cancellations.
According to the department’s contingency plan, about 95% of TSA workers are deemed essential personnel and required to keep working. Democrats in the House and Senate say the Department of Homeland Security won’t get funded until new restrictions are placed on federal immigration operations.
During past shutdowns, disruptions to air travel tended to build over time, not overnight. About a month into last year’s shutdown, for example, TSA temporarily closed two checkpoints at Philadelphia International Airport. That same day, the government took the extraordinary step of ordering all commercial airlines to reduce their domestic flight schedules.
John Rose, chief risk officer for global travel management company Altour, said strains could surface at airports more quickly this time because the TSA workforce also will be remembering the last shutdown.
“It’s still fresh in their minds and potentially their pocketbooks,” Rose said.
What is the impact on travelers?
It’s hard to predict whether, when or where security screening snags might pop up. Even a handful of unscheduled TSA absences could quickly lead to longer wait times at smaller airports, for example, if there’s just a single security checkpoint.
That’s why travelers should plan to arrive early and allow extra time to get through security.
“I tell people to do this even in good times,” Rose said.
Experts say flight delays also are a possibility even though air traffic controllers are not affected by the Homeland Security Department shutdown.
Airlines might decide to delay departures in some cases to wait for passengers to clear screening, said Rich Davis, senior security advisor at risk mitigation company International SOS. Shortages of TSA officers also could slow the screening of checked luggage behind the scenes.
What travelers can do to prepare
Most airports display security line wait times on their websites, but travelers shouldn’t wait until the day of a flight to check them, Rose advised.
“You may look online and it says 2½ hours,” he said. “Now it’s 2½ hours before your flight and you haven’t left for the airport yet.”
Passengers should also pay close attention while packing since prohibited items are likely to prolong the screening process. For carry-on bags, avoid bringing full-size shampoo or other liquids, large gels or aerosols and items like pocketknives.
TSA has a full list on its website of what is and isn’t allowed in carry-on and checked luggage.
At the airport, Rose said, remember to “practice patience and empathy.”
“Not only are they not getting paid,” he said of TSA agents, “they’re probably working with reduced staff and dealing with angry travelers.”
Will the shutdown drag on?
The White House has been negotiating with Democratic lawmakers, but the two sides failed to reach a deal by the end of the week before senators and House members were set to leave Washington for a 10-day break.
Lawmakers in both chambers were on notice, however, to return if a deal to end the shutdown is struck.
Democrats have said they won’t vote to approve more Homeland Security funding until new restrictions are placed on federal immigration operations after the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti and Renee Good by immigration agents in Minneapolis last month.
In a joint statement, U.S. Travel, Airlines for America and the American Hotel & Lodging Assn. warned that the shutdown threatens to disrupt air travel as the busy spring break travel season approaches.
“Travelers and the U.S. economy cannot afford to have essential TSA personnel working without pay, which increases the risk of unscheduled absences and call outs, and ultimately can lead to higher wait times and missed or delayed flights,” the statement said.
The customer praised the under-seat travel bag after using the luggage for a trip
The budget retailer is selling a £4 travel bag (stock photo)(Image: Getty)
Holidaymakers looking for budget-friendly cabin bags might like a £4 option that has the backing of an easyJet passenger. The shopper recommended the ‘amazing’ luggage to fellow travel fans in a social media post – and it could be ideal for passengers who don’t want to pay extra for bags.
According to easyJet’s website, all customers can carry one small under-seat cabin bag on their flights for free, provided it’s no larger than 45 x 36 x 20 cm. As such, customers could choose B&M’s Womens Under the Seat Handheld Bag, which measures L45 x W20 x H35cm.
Available in three colours, the B&M bag is currently on sale for £4, marked down from its original price of £8. The product description for the travel bag states: “Travel with convenience using this Bordlite Women’s Under the Seat Handheld Bag. Suitable for most airlines.”
It also has the backing of a shopper who used the bag on a flight and then recommended it to other passengers. Replying to a Facebook post asking for easyJet bag suggestions, a shopper named Kimberley wrote: “This from B&M is amazing and only £4.
“Just took the pink one with me as a carry-on on my recent holiday and I stuffed a lot in it including laptop, heavy books etc and it’s still intact and looks new!”
For shoppers looking for something different, B&M also offers a Bordlite Womens Under the Seat Bag with Wheels, which has been reduced from £16 to £8 and comes in two different colours. It measures L45 x W20 x H36cm.
With the additional wheels, it could be better suited to passengers who prefer not to carry their bags. The product description states: “Travel with convenience using this Bordlite Women’s Under the Seat Bag with Wheels. Suitable for most airlines.”
Alternatively, shoppers might like some of the suggestions shared on the same Facebook post where the B&M shopper praised the store’s luggage. For instance, another shopper highlighted Amazon’s Underseat Cabin Bag, reduced from £24.95 to £17.78, which measures 20 x 36 x 45 cm. The customer said: “These are great, various colours.”
The product description claims: “With a capacity of 30L, our easyjet cabin backpack is perfect for packing clothes and travel essentials for 4-7 days.
“A separate wet pocket allowing you to store wet clothes, towels, and toiletries. A 15.6″ laptop compartment and many other small pockets to keep your items well-organised.”
Shoppers should check their luggage and the size requirements for any airlines they are travelling with in advance of travel.
Avoid paying a massive fee at the airport gates by checking your cabin bag size before you fly. With half term on the way, here’s the latest sizing regulations for some of the most popular airlines
Cabin baggage allowances can vary hugely by airline(Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
One thing that often catches passengers out when flying on budget airlines is cabin baggage allowances. On busy flights, it’s common to see the dreaded bag sizer coming out, and being over just a centimetre can mean you end up paying a massive fee to check your bag at the gate.
To make things even more confusing, cabin bag size allowances change all the time, so even if you’re a frequent flyer, you can get caught out. It’s always best to check the size of the cabin bag that’s included with your ticket just before you go, so you can avoid hassle at the gates.
It’s also much cheaper to pay for extra bags when you book your flight, not once you’re at the airport, so always make sure you’ve booked the amount you need in advance.
Ryanair is notorious for strictly enforcing cabin baggage sizes, and if you’re taking a bag on board, you should make sure you get the tape measure out and check the dimensions before you head to the airport.
However, there’s good news for Ryanair passengers: the free underseat bag included in its basic fare can now be slightly larger. Previously, this small bag had to fit in a sizer with the dimensions of 40 x 25 x 20 cm, but since summer 2025 it can now be up to 40 x 30 x 20 cm. These free bags need to fit under the seat in front of you, and usually people bring a handbag, laptop bag, or small rucksack.
Technically, there’s no weight limit on these small bags, as long as they fit under the seat, but passengers will need to be able to carry and handle them, and an excessively heavy bag could be noticed by flight attendants.
Passengers can also pay to bring a second cabin bag of up to 55 x 40 x 20cm onboard with them, and this bag has a weight limit of 10KG. Passengers will need to lift this bag into the overhead locker above them, so bear this in mind when packing. If you prefer to check a bag, you can add a 10KG, 20KG, or 23KG bag to the hold. Prices vary depending on route and availability.
EasyJet
Budget airline easyJet is also known for strictly monitoring bag sizes, and you’ll see lots of orange sizers around the airport so you can check whether your luggage will fit. However, it’s best to measure bags at home when they’re packed so you can adjust accordingly.
Everyone who flies with easyJet gets one small underseat cabin bag included in the price. This can be up to 45 x 36 x 20 cm in size, and easyJet states it can’t exceed 15KG in weight.
Customers also have the option to book a second cabin bag of 56 x 45 x 25 cm maximum, including handles and wheels. As a bonus, if you book a second bag, you get speedy boarding included. When booking your flight, you also have the option to pay for up to three checked bags of 15KG, 23KG, or a whopping 32KG. Some airports offer a twilight bag drop for passengers on early flights, meaning you can check your luggage the night before heading off and head straight for security in the morning.
Jet2
Whether you’ve booked a package holiday with Jet2, or just a flight, cabin baggage allowances are the same. You get a small bag of 40 x 30 x 20cm, which must fit under the seat, and the price also includes a 10KG piece of hand luggage of up to 56cm x 45cm x 25cm. Again, you must ensure measurements include handles, wheels, and other fixtures.
Package holidays include 22KG of checked baggage, but if you’ve only booked a flight, you can still add a checked bag for a fee. Passengers can buy up to three bags of 22KG in weight, perfect for those who don’t like to travel light.
Families travelling with young kids can also bring a collapsible pushchair, car seat, and/or travel cot free of charge.
British Airways
British Airways (BA)’s economy basic fare includes a handbag and a cabin bag. The former can be up to 40 x 30 x 15cm in size and needs to easily fit under the seat in front, while cabin bags can be up to 56 x 45 x 25cm in size. However, BA can only guarantee that the smaller item will be allowed on board. If there’s not enough space in the overhead locker, your cabin bag may need to go in the hold.
BA also offers a range of options for checked bags, depending on the flight route you take and which classes are available. Economy with checked bag includes a 23KG bag in the hold, and unlike most airlines, BA put a size restriction on these checked bags of 90 x 75 x 43cm. Those lucky enough to fly business or first class get much bigger allowances.
If you’ve booked a flight only on TUI Airways, you’ll get a piece of hand luggage of up to 10KG in weight for free, and this can measure up to 55 x 40 x 20 cm. You can also bring a small personal item like a handbag or laptop bag of up to 40 x 30 x 20cm that’s placed under the seat in front of you. TUI emphasises that passengers must be able to lift their hand luggage into overhead storage compartments themselves.
Customers can also add a checked bag when booking their flight, with prices depending on the route and availability. However, if you book a package holiday through TUI and are flying with its airline, then 20KG of checked luggage is included. Some holiday types, such as TUI BLUE or cruises, have a 25KG allowance, so it’s worth checking your booking confirmation before you go.
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