Airlines famously love to catch passengers out with extra hidden costs on a flight. Whether it’s reserving a window seat or just something to eat, no flight is ever as cheap as advertised. At least there is a way to avoid paying excessive hold luggage charges, and that’s by packing light (our guide to packing cubes will help with that) and investing in the best carry-on luggage.
Cabin luggage often still incurs extra cost, but far less than you’d pay for a 20kg-plus suitcase in the hold. And because it comes on board with you, you don’t have to wait to claim it when you land. There are many different styles on offer.
Do you go for a soft shell cabin bag, or hard? Four wheels or two? Expandable or not? Stylish or practical? Laptop sleeve or none? Hand luggage that fits every airline, or one that suits the airline you fly with most often? We’ve taken the guesswork out of it by reviewing the best carry-on luggage in each of the above styles, as well as speaking to ex-British Airways cabin crew. You’ll find their advice on carry-on rules and tips on the best luggage brands at the bottom of this article, beneath my reviews. If you’re in a hurry, here’s a quick look at my top five: Which is the best carry-on luggage in 2024? At a glance Best overall - Away The Carry-On Best value carry on luggage - Tripp Holiday 7 Best lightweight carry on luggage - TravelPro Maxlite 5 Best hard shell carry on luggage - Antler Clifton Cabin Best soft shell carry on luggage - Eastpak.