Which backpack for a flight to choose? - practical guide
If you don't want to or can't take a suitcase on the plane or into the hold, a backpack will be a great alternative. It is more manageable, more comfortable to carry, usually lighter, and because of its many compartments, you can organise your belongings better in it. Plus, it's easier to navigate a crowded airport with it. Besides, a backpack is the obvious choice if you are flying to another country and intend to undertake outdoor activities.
Read our guide and find out which backpack to choose for a plane. Check what the difference is between hand luggage and checked luggage and what dimensions a backpack for a plane should have depending on the chosen airline. We will also advise you on what features to look for when buying a backpack, because its dimensions are not the only thing that matters.
Backpack as hand luggage and checked luggage - what are the differences?
When planning a plane trip, one of the first steps you should take is to familiarize yourself with the luggage rules applicable to a given airline. It is important to pay attention to concepts such as: hand luggage and checked luggage, because knowing the differences between them will help you avoid unpleasant situations at the airport, such as additional fees.
For example, if your hand luggage exceeds the permitted dimensions, the airport staff may not allow you to take it on board the plane. In this case, you will need to purchase the checked luggage option. For those who bought their airline tickets because of the low price, this can be a big problem - the cost of buying checked baggage is usually high and can exceed the price of the ticket itself. That's why it's so important to carefully read the baggage policy of your chosen carrier and measure and weigh your baggage before traveling. Below are the differences between carry-on and checked baggage.
Carry-on baggage
You can take hand luggage with you on board the plane. It must meet certain size requirements to fit under the seat or in the overhead bin. This type of luggage is divided into free and paid. If you think you need a slightly larger backpack, you can buy, for example, a large hand luggage with maximum dimensions at Ryanair 55 x 40 x 20 cm, and in Wizz Air with dimensions 55 x 40 x 23 cm. Below we present the standard dimensions of hand luggage for popular carriers:
- Wizz Air - 40 x 30 x 20 cm
- Ryanair - 40 x 20 x 25 cm
- LOT - 55 x 40 x 23 cm
- Lufthansa - 55 x 40 x 23 cm
- Air France - 40 x 30 x 15 cm
- British Airways - 40 x 30 x 15 cm
The dimensions and weight limits for hand luggage can be found on the websites of individual airlines. These regulations are subject to change, so it is worth checking them right before your trip.
Checked baggage
You check in checked baggage at the airport and it is transported in the hold. Upon arrival it is placed on a belt at the appropriate baggage claim desk. This is baggage that exceeds the permitted dimensions and weight of hand luggage, for example: large suitcases, expedition backpacks or bags. In the case of checked baggage, the differences in dimensions and other details can be significant, which is why airlines provide detailed information on this subject on their official websites. Below are the maximum dimensions of checked baggage with well-known carriers:
- Wizz Air - 149 x 119 x 171 cm
- Ryanair - 55 cm × 40 cm × 20 cm and 80 x 120 x 120 cm
- LOT - it depends on whether the flight is short-haul, medium-haul or long-haul, as well as on the class in which you are travelling
- Lufthansa - checked baggage is any baggage whose dimensions exceed 158 cm and/or weight exceeds 23 kg (max. 32 kg)
- Air France - the sum of the dimensions of the luggage (length, width, depth) cannot exceed 158 cm
- British Airways - checked baggage can have dimensions up to 90 x 75 x 43 cm
Backpack for air travel - what to look for when choosing?
In addition to choosing the right size backpack in line with the airline's requirements, it is worth considering a few other things. If you are wondering which carry-on backpack to choose for the plane, pay attention to:
- Durable materials
A backpack for the plane should be made of durable materials, such as Cordura or polyester, which are highly resistant to mechanical damage. Even in the plane's cabin, it is easy to snag, abrasion or tear, so durable materials make the backpack less susceptible to damage. Of course, this is also important if, after reaching another country or city, we will be traveling all day with a backpack that will also be filled with many things.
- Solid zippers
It is worth paying attention to the quality of the zippers in the backpack. They must be durable, resistant to frequent opening and closing. They should also not open on their own.
- Low weight of the backpack
An important aspect when choosing a backpack for the plane is its low weight, so that it does not take away valuable kilograms from the luggage limit.
- External pockets
Properly designed external pockets are important due to convenient access to frequently used items, such as: documents, phone or power bank. Ideally, a backpack for a plane should have at least one larger pocket and additional smaller compartments for small items.
- Compression straps
They allow you to adjust the volume of the backpack to its current contents. They can be expanded when you have more things or tightened when you carry less. This solution helps to make better use of the space in the backpack, keep order and prevents items from shifting.
Airplane backpacks offer at MILITARY.EU
If you already know which airplane backpack to choose, we invite you to check out our offer at the MILITARY.EU store. Here you will find many models of backpacks from renowned brands such as: Mil-Tec, Wisport, Alpinus, Helikon or Brandit. All of these backpacks are characterized by high durability and will work great as airplane luggage, and later during city use, as well as during outdoor activities.
