As frequent business travellers, you know it makes sense having hand luggage only. It saves time at check-in, saves lots of time at the carousel, and is a lot more difficult to lose your bag (or have it lost for you). It also makes the journey at both ends simpler and less strenuous because you aren't lugging heavy bags around. It's not always possible, of course, but with low-cost carriers starting to charge for luggage in the hold, and the major airlines considering a response, now is the time to invest in cabin bags. But what are the options?
The standard size of bag to fit in the overhead lockers as recommended by IATA is 115cm linear (this is the sum of all of the dimensions: width, depth and height). However, airlines also have allowances for the number of extra pieces, especially if you are flying in business or first. The bags shown here are 115cm or less, and we've also included some extra items for those times when you are at the front of the cabin.
Dunhill: Transporter with wheels, Motorities range
Dimensions 52x28x28 (108cm) Weight 3.7kg
Features Large enough to get a lot in while still fitting overhead, this is a practical, strong bag with an extendable handle.
Material Strong textured cotton canvas with cowhide leather trim.
Price £695
Contact 0845 458 0779
Delsey: CarismaPrestige collection
Dimensions 40x55x20 (115cm) Weight 4kg
Features The bag has a telescopic handle for the trolley system or side handles for carrying, and a combination and pad lock.It has a lined interior with multi pockets and garment sleeves, and exterior pockets for papers.
Material Anthracite grey with brown leather finishes or ivory with tan leather finishes.
Price £199
Contact +44 (0)20 8731 3530; delsey.com
Pickett: Tunstall suitcase
Dimensions 38x48x20 (106cm) Weight 2.1kg
Features With an outer pocket for papers, the size is good for the extra baggage allowance in business and first. There's a separate compartment for a laptop, and a shoulder strap.
Material Black and white Plato canvas with black hide trim and canvas interior.
Price £495
Contact +44 (0)207 493 9072; pickett.co.uk
Gant: Holdall
Dimensions 28x52x32 (112cm) Weight 0.9kg
Features A lightweight and spacious bag.
Material Leather.
Price £269
Contact 0845 111 1010 for a list of suppliers
Travelpro: WalkAbout Lite 22" Expandable Rollaboard Suiter
Dimensions 56x36x23 (115cm) Weight 4.6kg
Features A compact, affordable bag with plenty of pockets. Also has a useful toiletry divider and garment sleeve, both removable.
Material 1680D high-density ballistic nylon. Price £85
Contact Fenwicks and London Luggage company; travelpro.co.uk (item 6422)
Titan: X2 business class range
Dimensions 53x35x25 (113cm) Weight 2.9kg
Features A brand new product with removable divider, full-length side pocket and elasticated packing straps. The bag comes with a five-year warranty.
Material 100 per cent polycarbonate, one of the toughest, most elastic plastics in the world (the same material is used to make bumpers on the 7 series BMW & S class Mercedes).
Price £79 (£89 for gloss finish)
Contact Available in select House of Fraser stores from April. In the meantime, enquires can be directed to Richard Heffron on +44 (0)20 8695 1008
Samsonite: X-lite Spinner
Dimensions 35x54x20 (109cm) Weight Not supplied
Features A brand-new bag with TSA locks, silent rolling wheels and water repellent zippers. Inside are adjustable packing straps and a divider. Can be identified by a unique serial number registered to the owner.
Material Hardside CURV material (a lightweight abrasion resistance material) combined with softside, full-grain cowhide leather and leather-wrapped handles.
Price £329
Contact +44 (0)1895 855 755; samsonite.com
Crew Clothing: Luxury Weekend
Dimensions 48x36x24 (108cm) Weight 129g
Features A lightweight bag with an outer pocket and inner zip compartment.
Material Scotch grain outer with cotton twill lining, boot leather base.
Price £99.95
Contact 0845 130 6250; crewclothing.co.uk
Antler: Tronic cabin/overnight
Dimensions 46x37x20 (103cm) Weight 2.5kg
Features Lightweight and compact with a push button to lock the trolley when standing.
Material 1500 denier impact absorbent polyester with lining.
Price £99
Contact antler.co.uk
Tumi: Generation 4FXT Ballistic3-in-1 wheeled overnighter
Dimensions 55x33x25 (114cm) Weight 6.6kg
Features The bag has a removable computer case and travel kit and a removable garment sleeve. Also: a hidden u-shaped zip pocket, accessories pockets, easy-clip key ring and the exclusive Tumi Tracer identification — a unique bar code which matches the owner's name and address and can be returned (if people are honest!).
Material Abrasion-resistant FXT ballistic nylon. The telescopic handles have leather trim. Protected roller blade wheels.
Price £575
Contact Piccadilly store +44 (0)20 7493 4138; tumi.com (item 22018)
Knomo: Orkney executive collection
Dimensions 43x35x13 (91cm) Weight 1.9kg (with pocket) 1.6kg (without)
Features A removable quilted laptop pouch with handles and a bundle bag to carry laptop cables (includes zips on each side of the bag to pull the wall-plug end from one side and the laptop-plug from the other). There are also three compartments for documents and smaller pockets for iPods, mobile phones and PDAs and a detachable shoulder-strap. There is a unique tracker number to help the owner re-unite with their bag should it go astray.
Material Leather exterior and nylon interior. Available in black or brown.
Price £185
Contact 0800 043 7924; knomo.com
