suitcase

LIDL is selling a cabin suitcase in its famous middle aisle this week – but we’ve found one that’s just as good and even CHEAPER.

The AVIO Jett 45cm Cabin Suitcase on Amazon is on sale for £18.69 compared to Lidl’s £19.99 version.

AVIO Jett 45cm Cabin Suitcase – £18.69 (was £21.99) at Amazon

The Lidl case holds 10kg of luggage and fits within the size requirements of most UK-based airlines, helping you dodge those hefty oversized baggage fees.

But the Amazon dupe is cheaper and even better.

Like the Lidl bargain, the AVIO option features a secure hard shell, easy-glide wheels and fits neatly in a plane’s overhead locker.

It also comes with an extra feature that the Lidl option doesn’t have.

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It has a built-in, three-digit lock to protect your items.

This means you can lock down your zips and keep your passport, tech, and any valuables secure without needing to buy a separate padlock.

And you can’t beat the peace of mind knowing that your luggage is safe and secure when out of sight.

Amazon reviewers rate the suitcase very highly, too, giving it a 4.3/5 star rating and praising that the roomy suitcase lets you make the most of your cabin baggage allowance.

AVIO Jett 45cm Cabin Suitcase – £18.69 (was £21.99) at Amazon

One reviewer said, “These are excellent little cases. We bought them to fly with easyJet and to keep our ticket price as low as possible; these will fit easily under the seat in front.

“We were able to get a surprising amount of stuff in them for a four night stay; toilet bag (basics), 4 t-shirts, hoodie, 4 socks, 4 pants, sweatpants and Birkenstocks and some electronics and an anorak.”.

Another reviewer added, “Amazing quality, very lightweight, tires are nice. For cabin bag, its good as it gets”.

If you want to bag yourself a secure, size-compliant cabin suitcase, I’d recommend going for the Amazon option whilst it’s on sale.

Plus it’s much easier to order the dupe from your sofa than head out to Lidl to find the in-store middle isle stock.

And what’s better than pocketing the spare change from your saving to treat yourself to an ice cream once you’re on your holiday!

Prices correct at the time of publication.

Australian national Simon Peter Carman has been charged with murder after the body of 17-year-old Tunchanok Donhomla was found inside a suitcase. CCTV footage appears to show the pair entering a hotel together and Carman leaving hours later with only a suitcase.

The wheels can come off too

A holiday expert has posted a video testing a £25 suitcase from Primark against Ryanair cabin size rules – which have just been updated.

Not only is the suitcase a great price, but its wheels can be removed to help it meet the requirements. Ryanair is one of the most popular airlines in the UK, offering cheap flights to a number of destinations. Its bag rules state: “All fares include one small personal bag (40 x 30 x 20 cm) that must fit under the seat.”

Talking about the free bag, it adds that the small personal bag “such as a handbag or laptop bag” must adhere to its measurements and “fit under the seat in front of you. If you need additional baggage allowance, there are various options available to you.”

It adds: “Additional options include Priority boarding with a second 10kg cabin bag, checked bags of 10kg, 20kg (up to 3), or 23kg (1 allowed). Infants have no cabin allowance but may bring a 5kg baby bag and two baby equipment items free.”

Focusing on the small personal bag size, and creating five TikTok videos on the bag alone, Chelsea Dickenson, who has appeared on shows like This Morning to share her tips, said she loves the suitcase and is “genuinely impressed with the quality for something that’s fairly affordable.”

Trying to fit the case into the bag size checker, she showed that it didn’t fit. That was until she took off the wheels.

It also remained below the red line, suggesting it met the airline’s standards, and thankfully, she got through security with no issues. Not only does it meet pre-boarding size requirements, but she also demonstrates that it fits neatly under the seat, describing it as “super slim.”

And if you’re wondering where you pop the wheels, she reveals: “It comes with a cloth bag that you can pop the wheels into. These are best put in your pocket – so remember to wear something with pockets big enough! Otherwise, you could pop it back in the suitcase.”

But be careful. In one of her videos on the £25 bag, she says she ended up losing a wheel and advises others to ensure the wheels click securely back into place when reattaching them.

What happens at the boarding gate if my cabin bags are bigger than my allowance?

Ryanair state: “You must adhere strictly to the baggage allowance on your booking. If your small bag or 10kg cabin bag does not fit in the baggage sizers, it will be refused at the boarding gate, or where available, placed in the hold of the aircraft for a fee at the level set out in our Regulations.

“You will be required to leave your bags at the aircraft steps, in the gate bag trolley, or as directed by Ryanair agents, for stowage in the hold.”

READ MORE: Ryanair cabin bag rules to change and it’s good news for passengers

IF you’re an over-packer who constantly battles to zip your suitcase shut, this Amazon find is a game-changer.

Shoppers are rushing to buy these compression packing cubes that do far more than just organise your holiday outfits – they actively squeeze your clothes down into compact bundles, too.

While regular packing cubes can save you around 15% luggage space, compression cubes can save you up to 50% – effectively giving you another half a suitcase to fill.

Travel Compression Packing Cubes, £19.99 (was £29.99)

The cubes are slashed to nearly half-price on Amazon, where you can snap them up for just £19.99 – 33% down from the usual £29.99.

These compression cubes come in handy for all sorts of holidays, whether you’re heading off backpacking or want to pack as many Ibiza party outfits as possible.

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They even have a waterproof compartment to separate any dry and damp clothes from after your travels.

One pleased shopper said “These travel compression packing cubes were a game changer when I was travelling around Thailand with just a backpack.

“The sizes are really well thought out, making it easy to separate clothes, keep everything organised, and maximise space”.

Another shopper said “Really good packing cubes for the price I paid.

“Makes packing much easier and more organised. I wish I had bought them years ago!”

Travel Compression Packing Cubes, £19.99 (was £29.99)

These packing cubes have rip-resistant double stitching and zip smoothly, even when you’ve stuffed them full.

Plus you’re even doing your bit for the environment by picking these cubes, as they’re made from recycled plastic bottles.

The compression packing cubes come in six different colours: grey, beige, blue, black, green and red.

As well as condensing down your clothing into tightly-packed bundles, packing cubes can be a great organising tool.

You can pick an item to bundle into each section – t-shirts, trousers, dresses, socks, toiletries – then pick a cube to pop each of them into.

That way when you need to grab something on holiday, you won’t be rummaging around in your suitcase – you’ll know exactly where to find it.

Travel Compression Packing Cubes, £19.99 (was £29.99)

Prices correct at time of publication.

It can be frustrating waiting for your suitcase to appear but one strategy could help you get your bags off the baggage carousel first

Airport security checks and baggage restrictions can turn holidays into a source of stress, and the anxiety only intensifies as you wait to see whether your suitcase has actually made it off the plane.

The dread of lost luggage hangs over many travellers right up until the moment they spot their bag on the carousel — and even then, there’s the worry that someone else might accidentally grab it. But there’s a straightforward trick that could see your suitcase come off the plane first, allowing you to get your holiday underway without unnecessary delays.

Guidance from Escape.com suggests checking in for your flight as late as you possibly can. The logic? Late check-ins mean your luggage gets loaded last, and in theory, should emerge first upon landing, according to Thomas Lo Sciuto, a ramp worker and gate agent at a regional US airport.

The airport worker explained: “Your best option is to be one of the last passengers to check your bags. This is because bags will always be loaded front to back on the bag carts.”

That said, bags aren’t solely loaded according to check-in times. Anyone who can’t stomach the idea of leaving check-in until the eleventh hour will be relieved to hear that weight is also a factor in certain circumstances, reports the Express.

SmarterTravel told HuffPost that US aviation giant Delta, which flies out of Terminal 3 at London Heathrow Airport (LHR), sorts luggage into large and small loads to ensure proper weight distribution across the aircraft. As passengers check in their luggage, it gets sorted into “cans” – large containers that hold multiple bags and can be transported as one unit.

SmarterTravel said: “In other words, how far back your bag ends up depends on the weight of the can and the needs of the plane, not when you check it.”

Aircraft with a single aisle typically “loose-load” bags one by one rather than bundling them into cans, as is the case with wider-bodied planes. When this happens, checked bags generally go into a holding area.

Luggage gets transported to the aircraft and loaded shortly before departure, meaning its chances of being loaded first hinge on when it was checked in.

If a bag was checked in early, it could end up at the rear of the storage space, meaning it would be last onto the plane and potentially first off.

Other tactics to ensure your bags come off the carousel first upon landing include marking them as “fragile”.

News.com.au suggests this clever trick often results in your luggage being loaded onto the aircraft last and therefore unloaded first, which can significantly reduce your wait at the carousel.

That said, when opting for “fragile” stickers, travellers ought to strip off any old tags from their bags to prevent mix-ups. To make luggage stand out, opting for vibrant colours, customised tags, or securely fastened ribbons could help your bags catch your eye more easily.

The most reliable way to get out of the airport as swiftly as possible is to travel with hand luggage alone. Make certain this meets your specific airline’s requirements to avoid being forced to check your cabin bag at the gate.

A personal item, sometimes referred to as a small bag, needs to fit beneath the seat directly in front of you and typically measures no larger than 40x30x20cm.

Cabin bags are stowed in the overhead locker and can generally weigh up to 10kg, with dimensions not exceeding 56x45x25cm.

Among UK carriers, British Airways typically provides the most generous complimentary hand luggage allowance on its basic tickets.

Travellers can bring one 23kg cabin bag (56x45x25cm) and one smaller personal item (up to 40x30x15cm) without charge.

Jet2 and Virgin Atlantic similarly permit a complimentary cabin bag (10kg, 56x45x25cm) alongside a personal item.

According to pest control, people should routinely check their luggage for warning signs

Many people will be heading home today after a bank holiday weekend getaway. While travellers often take great care when packing, it’s quite common to spend far less time unpacking – simply tipping the contents of your suitcase straight into the wash.

Throwing your clothes in the washing machine as soon as you arrive home is a sensible idea. However, there is another crucial step everyone is urged to take when emptying their luggage. Holidaymakers are advised to check their suitcases carefully for signs of any unwelcome guests, such as bed bugs.

The advice comes from James Rhoades, the founder of ThermoPest, a pest control firm specialising in bed bug treatment and registered with the British Pest Control Association. James says frequent travellers should check their suitcase as part of their routine whenever they return from a holiday.

The tip could help to prevent issues year-round, but it could be especially helpful for travellers to get into the habit now, ahead of the summer holidays. He explained: “During hot weather, bed bugs become more active and need to feed more frequently.

“They get all their hydration from blood, so a warm, humid summer gives them the perfect opportunity to bite. With people wearing lighter sleepwear or using thinner sheets, there’s less of a barrier between the bugs and their food source – us.

“There’s also typically a rise in cases after holiday periods, as bed bugs can easily be brought back hidden in suitcases or laundry. Once inside, they spread quickly, so early detection and prevention are key.”

Fortunately, there are steps people can take to minimise the risk when they arrive at their holiday and when they return home. “Hotels, guest houses, and short-term rentals can become hotspots for bed bugs during peak travel periods. Before unpacking, check the seams of the mattress, headboard, and upholstered furniture for telltale signs such as tiny rust-coloured spots or shed skins.

“Keep luggage elevated on racks rather than placing it directly on the floor to reduce the chance of bed bugs crawling into your belongings. You could also store clothes in sealed bags inside your suitcase for added protection and to make it harder for bugs to hitch a ride home,” says James.

When it is time to return home, it’s recommended that you unpack your clothes straight into the machine and carefully inspect your suitcase. James claims: “Returning home is one of the most common times for bed bugs to be introduced into your living space. As soon as you arrive back, unpack directly into the washing machine and wash everything on a hot cycle.

“Visually inspect your suitcase inside and out, paying close attention to pockets, seams, and linings for any signs of bed bugs such as dark spots, shed skins, or live insects. If you travel frequently, making this a routine step can help you spot potential issues early before they spread.”

Chris Harrington, managing director at travel transfer company hoppa, has outlined what to do to give yourself the best chance at recovering your valuables, or, at least, getting some compensation for the loss

One of the most common travel nightmare scenarios tourists face is having their luggage go missing after a flight.

Mishandling checked-in bags costs airlines around £4.2 billion a year, according to aviation technology company SITA. If you’re one of the unlucky ones who ends up not finding your suitcase on the conveyor belt, here are the seven steps to take immediately, according to an expert.

Chris Harrington, managing director at travel transfer company hoppa, has outlined what to do to give yourself the best chance at recovering your valuables, or, at least, getting some compensation for the loss.

The most important thing, he says, is to act fast. He says: “Ultimately, the faster and more informed your response is, the better your chances of recovering your bag or at least getting clear updates on where it is.”

Chris advises heading straight to the airline’s service desk near baggage reclaim if you notice a missing bag – stressing that delays can reduce the chances of locating your bag quickly.

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From then on, it’s important to have your baggage tag and flight details ready, as they will help staff begin tracking your suitcase straight away.

You should also be as specific as you can when describing the missing item. “Details matter. Think about the colour, size, brand, and any distinguishing features like stickers or tags. Even better, show photos if you have them,” Chris continued.

And once your case is all documented and reported, never forget to ask for a Property Irregularity Report, or PIR number, as it is “essential for tracking your luggage and for any future claims.”

In the meantime, most airlines try not to leave customers empty-handed. “Some carriers will provide an allowance for essentials like clothes and toiletries,” Chris notes. “If they don’t, keep every receipt, as you may be able to claim those costs back later.”

Another essential step is to contact insurance companies early on, since many policies include cover for delayed luggage after 12 to 24 hours, but the expert recommends being prepared and checking exactly what evidence they require. If, after several days, nothing is found, it’s crucial not to give up.

“You should be following up regularly,” Harrington advises, adding that “after 21 days, luggage is officially considered lost under international guidelines.”

Thats the stage in which travellers are encouraged to put forward a formal claim – according to the Montreal Convention, which sets out airline liability in such cases.

Chris highlights that passengers may then be entitled to compensation of up to around £1,300 if they provide the right documentation.

To claim that sum, “you’ll need proof of your luggage and what was inside it. The more evidence you have, the stronger your claim.”