Whether you’re travelling for business or leisure, your luggage needs to be both stylish and practical. Before you buy, you need to think about your method of travel and whether there will be any weight or size restrictions on your suitcase(s). You will also need to think about how much space you need and navigate how to keep your luggage lightweight whilst still taking everything you need. These handy tips aim help you decide which luggage will work best for you.

How to choose a suitcase

First off, you will need to think about what you need from your luggage; for example, do you need a suitcase that adheres to airline weight and capacity restrictions, or are you just looking for something that fits nicely in the boot of your car? If you’ve got a number of trips ahead, you may need a suitcase that is easily maneuverable, or one that has special security features to keep your mind at ease while you travel.

This guide includes some of the key features of popular luggage ranges to help you decide on the best luggage solution for you.

 

Best lightweight suitcase

If you’re travelling abroad, or for a long period of time, the weight of your case is likely to be a high priority for you - so it’s worth considered a speciality lightweight suitcase. The 'world's lightest' suitcases are available in three sizes, with the largest offering 103L capacity at only 2.5kg. Alternatively, if you're planning a shorter city break or business trip, and want something a little easier to carry the 'world's lightest' 4-wheel cabin bags offer the same capacity and come in three colours; red, blue and black

Best soft suitcases

Soft shell suitcases are one of the most widely used luggage solutions for holiday travel due to their flexibility when it comes to packing. The Megalite range of 4-wheel luggage, for example, is made from 600 denier polyester and has internal and external pockets, which come in handy if you like to take away everything but the kitchen sink! Soft shell luggage also gives you the option of expandable sides, which is a great way of squeezing in last minute buys, as well as giving your suitcase a bit more ‘give’, making any damage a little less noticeable. So, if your case falls from the airport baggage conveyor, the impact to your luggage is much less than that of a hard-sided suitcase.

 

Best hard suitcase

Though any damage to hard shell luggage might be a little bit more noticeable, the rigid shell is designed to up to knocks and bumps, keeping your possessions inside much more safe - so it's ideal if you're a frequent flyer or if you like to bring home fragile souvenirs from your trips abroad. The Pagoda High Gloss 8 Wheel ABS luggage, for example, is available in three sizes, with the largest offering 163L capacity at just 4.7kg.

Additionally, you may prefer the elegant appearance of designer hard-sided luggage such as the stunning Calvin Klein luggage range; especially on cruise holidays where 'dock appeal' is all part of the romance of the journey. Further to this, if you buy a full, family luggage Set they will often nestle snugly inside each other when not being used, which is ideal if you want to make the most of limited cabin space.

Before you decide on your luggage, you first need to know whether you need a larger suitcase to put in the hold, or hand luggage that has been specifically designed to fit snugly in an aircraft cabin. carousel.

Choosing both hand luggage and hold luggage can often be quite confusing, as many airlines have different rules and restrictions - see our chart below. However, if you're a frequent flyer, we would recommend choosing luggage that adheres to the requirements of your preferred airline, or if you want a little more flexibility, opts for luggage that meets the stricter airline requirements.

Shop TJ Hughes full range of suitcases, cabin bags and luggage solutions today!

Aer Lingus

55

40

24

10

20 (short haul)
36 (long haul)

Air Asia

56

36

23

7

20

Air Canada

55

40

23

10

23

Air France

55

35

25

12

23

Air New Zealand

Maximum 118 overall

-

-

7

23

Alitalia

55

35

25

8

20 (short haul)
32 (long haul)

American Airlines

56

36

23

23

23

BMI

55

40

23

12

23

British Airways

56

45

25

23

23

Brussels Airways

55

40

23

12

32

Cathay Pacific

56

36

23

7

30

City Jet

47.5

35

20

12

32

Delta

56

35

23

Varies

23

Eastern Airways

56

45

25

10

32

EasyJet

56

45

25

Varies

23

Emirates

55

38

20

7

35

Ethiad

Max 115 overall

-

-

7

23

Finnair

56

45

25

8

23

First Choice Holidays

55

40

20

5

15

Flybe

55

35

20

10

15

Jet2

56

45

25

10

22

KLM

55

35

25

12

23

Luxair

55

40

20

7

23

Monarch

56

40

25

10

20

Qantas

50

37

25

7

30

Qatar

50

37

25

7

32

Ryan Air

55

40

20

10

15

SAS

55

40

23

8

23

Singapore Airlines

Max 115 overall

-

-

7

30

Swiss Airlines

55

40

23

8

23

Thai Airways

56

45

25

7

32

Thomas Cook

55

40

20

6

15

Thomson Fly

55

40

20

5

20

United Airlines

56

35

22

n/a

50

Virgin Airlines

56

36

23

10

23