Our travel experts reveal the best under-the-seat cabin bags to get around pricey hand luggage rules

CHOOSING the right bag for a flight is an art – and one that’s difficult to get right.

If you’re preparing for a flight but are unsure of which cabin bag to use, we’ve got you covered.

Here is a list of Sun Travel’s favourite cabin bags, ranging from budget bargains to stylish statement pieces, all of which will make your trip worry-free.

Whether you’re looking to stuff all your luggage into a backpack, avoiding having to pay for excess baggage, or if you just want something practical for a long journey.

The following bags have all been tried and tested by The Sun’s team of travel experts.

SZLX Large Travel Backpack

Ryan Gray – Travel Reporter

I’m always a little sceptical about Tiktok “hacks” given that a lot of them aren’t really that effective.

But, when it was time for me to get a new backpack, I thought I’d at least see what was out there – and I was pleasantly surprised by one recommendation from the online travel community.

The SZLX Large Travel Backpack comes with plenty of useful features to ensure you can bring everything you might need for your trip.

However, it’s worth noting that the medium and small versions are the ones that fit within hand luggage size requirements.

The large, or “expansion”, versions are too large and could get you in trouble at the gate.

Its three main compartments include one large one for the bulk of items, a small one at the back for laptops and tablets and even a wet bag compartment at the front, to store wet towels or soggy swimwear.

It even has its own external USB charging port that connects to a power bank, so phones can still be used while charging from the bag.

I’ve had the bag for over a year now and have taken it on multiple trips during that time. In most of them, including for some week-long getaways, it has been the only bag I’ve needed.

It’s always had more than enough space and has never let me down once. I’d highly recommend it.

Find it on Amazon from £29.99.

Narwey duffle bag

Hope Brotherton – Travel Reporter

As I closed the zipper, I felt impressed with just how much room the Narwey duffel bag actually boasted.

I had lined the bottom of my bag with my microfibre travel towel.

Then I paired down my clothes to the bare minimum, including two dresses, two pairs of tights, three t-shirts, a pair of trousers, underwear, socks and a pair of pyjamas.

I folded them all into a packing cube, which helped to optimise space.

Even after all of that, I still had room for a tightly-packed liquids bag, a shampoo bar, soap, a toothbrush, as well as two make-up palettes and make-up brushes.

Then, on top of all of that, I was able to slot in a curling wand, a hair straightener, a kindle, a pair of sunglasses, a pair of reading glasses, a kindle, a power bank, a plug adaptor, and several charging cables.

As I boarded the flight, I felt confident that I didn’t need to be part of the stampede of holidaymakers fighting for overhead luggage space.

On the plane, the bag slotted underneath my seat with ease and I was left with plenty of legroom too.

Find it on Amazon from £9.99.

Longchamp Shoulder Bag

Kara Godfrey – Deputy Travel Editor

I always love to pretend that if I look smart enough, I’ll get a free upgrade on a flight.

It’s yet to happen, but it does mean I’ve found the perfect underseat bag that looks smarter than most.

Longchamp has forever been known for being a versatile bag, being made of canvas so you don’t have to worry about leaking drinks or toiletries.

But this also means you can fit a lot in them, and I’ve done more than a weekend break fitting everything I needed.

It’s even great if you are taking it just for the plane and don’t need it on holiday, as they fold so small they almost fit in your pocket.

Sure, they aren’t the cheapest to buy brand new – but you can get them for a fraction on eBay.

Find them in John Lewis for £120, or on eBay.

The Everywhere Bag

Sophie Swietochowski – Assistant Travel Editor

Have you ever purchased something so useful that it leads you to wonder how you ever spent so many years living without it? That’s how I feel about my ‘Everywhere’ bag from Away.

I’m always complimented on either its chic style or practicality.

It’ll set you back a steep £155, but every feature has a purpose.

There’s a convenient outside pocket that’s perfectly sized for a passport, meaning you don’t have to rummage around in search of it.

At the opposite side there’s a flap that allows you to slip it over a suitcase handle so that it fits neatly on top.

Elsewhere, there’s a padded pouch for a laptop, a few open pockets inside for toiletries or travel docs as well as an inside zipped pocket.

What I most appreciate is the outside zip that extends down both sides of the bag so that it can open more widely when you’re packing.

It’s compliant with most airlines’ hand luggage restrictions, including easyJet, and because it’s made from sturdy leather, you won’t have any difficulty trying to wedge it into the luggage checkers at the airport.

This is one for obsessive organisers like myself, although if you’re looking for something that you can cram a week’s worth of clothes into (to avoid shelling out for luggage), you may want to opt for something with fewer pockets that’ll give you more room.

Find the bag on Away Travel from £155.

Virgin Atlantic Travel Tote

Lisa Minot – Head of Travel

This lightweight, soft, squishy travel tote was designed by Fenella Smith especially for Virgin Atlantic – part of their range of travel products celebrating the best of British design.

I’ve found the sturdy bag invaluable for everything from work trips to beach breaks.

Made from 100 per cent recycled canvas with a vibrant Virgin red cotton lining, it’s roomy enough for all the holiday essentials and comes with a detachable padded laptop pouch for your tech that can be removed once you’ve arrived at your destination and want to switch to beach mode.

Crucially, it’s very light so doesn’t give me back ache when I’ve filled it with all my essentials and its wide straps are comfy on the shoulder as well as easy to wrap round a suitcase.

Find the Virgin Atlantic Travel Tote on the Virgin Atlantic website from £75.

Meanwhile, three major airlines have cut carry-on baggage, leaving passengers out of pocket.

And you should never pack this common household item in your hand luggage.