POV: you’re finally sitting on the plane that’s moments away from departing on a long-awaited trip.
Buckled in, smiling tightly at the other passengers to hurry them along, while also praying the seat next to you stays empty. Yes, you could have paid more for more space and legroom, but you had to cough up extra for baggage.
Ah, speaking of! Here it comes now, trundling in a cart on its way to the hold luggage conveyor belt. There’s your bag, wedged in Tetris-like amongst everyone else’s.
Suddenly the handlers start doing their thing, chucking cases, bags and curiously wrapped parcels into the plane like they’re shooting hoops on a basketball court. Not a scintilla of care and attention is shown to your possessions. All you can do is wince with every THWACK! and hope your stuff makes it to the destination in one piece.
Not exactly the most tranquil start to a holiday, is it? The fact is, we’ve all been there at some point, left to pick up the literal pieces from baggage reclaim at the other end. And that’s if your bag hasn’t been lost altogether.
Operational issues at London airports have been well-reported, with problems arising from both strike action and lack of staff, including baggage handlers. Fewer people to do the job means increased pressure to get a plane loaded and on its way in time - inevitably, mishaps occur.
The numbers say it all: in 2022, bag storage company Bounce used FOI data from the Civil Aviation Authority to find the worst airports for lost luggage in the UK. Heathrow, the UK’s busiest, came out on top with 35.62 per cent, followed by London’s second busiest airport, Gatwick with 19.54 per cent of reported mishandled baggage cases.
It may be one reason why passengers are more likely to fly with just a cabin bag or underseat bag, which is all good and well if you’re on a weekend break, but it won’t get you very far if you’re travelling across multiple timezones and hemispheres.
For longer trips to long-haul destinations, checked luggage is necessary - but that doesn’t mean you have to cross your fingers and pray to the baggage gods that yours arrives safely.
Look for hard-shell luggage designs to protect your stuff from knocks and drops, whether they are accidental or courtesy of an overzealous handler.
Adding a luggage tracker is also a great shout if you’ve packed valuables that won’t fit into cabin baggage, but opt for GPS over Bluetooth trackers which only work over a short range; unhelpful if your luggage is left in Langkawi as you touch down at LHR.
There are excellent luggage brands offering robust quality alongside suave good looks that will see you - and your bag - sailing out of the airport and towards your sunlounger with as little fuss as possible.
We’ve rounded up the best options - offering both strength and style - to help find your next travel buddy.
Shop practically indestructible travel luggage to check in below.
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Antler Clifton large in blush
Dimensions: 34 x 51 x 80cm
Offering both hard and soft luggage for the aircraft hold, Antler’s range of bags can be bought as a full set or individually to suit your needs. The Clifton design is available in various hues from smart grey and black to pastel pink and aqua.
The shell is made from polycarbonate, a lightweight yet strong material to protect the more delicate items from the vigours of airport baggage handlers. It also uses a double-wheeled system to help you get from A to B easily - yes, even over cobblestoned streets. Weighting 5kg empty, it can stow some 121L of your possessions and comes with a TSA Fixed Combination lock for added peace of mind.
This Antler suitcase also benefits from a lifetime warranty.
Buy now £240.00, Antler
AWAY The Original Large suitcase
Dimensions: 73.6 cm x 52 cm x 31.7 cm
Away’s reputation is well-established amongst regular travellers as one of the best modern brands when it comes to luggage. The limited edition colours, like this lurid kiwi, mean there’s no chance of missing it.
Away’s cases are also known for being some of the sturdiest available, especially the hard shell designs which are fashioned from lightweight polycarbonate. Then there’s the range of extra features for both security and convenience: think 360° spinner wheels. a TSA-compliant lock, interior compression system and water-resistant laundry bag to separate dirty undies and wet swimwear.
Buy now £345.00, AWAY
July Checked Plus
Dimensions: H77 x W50 x D31cm
Heard of July? Hailing from Melbourne, the brand has made a splash on our shores with a collection of stylish but tough luggage that spans everything from totes and weekender bags all the way through to chic coordinated sets which nest perfectly inside each other for easy storage when you’re not on the road. Every product comes with a lifetime warranty; if there’s a manufacturing fault, July will replace or repair your purchase for you.
But will you need it? With an aerospace-level German polycarbonate shell, anodised aluminium bumpers and SilentMove 360° spinner wheels for easy gliding, it seems unlikely.
Inside, the 110L capacity means there’s plenty of space for clothes, shoes and accessories, while a stain-proof laundry bag keeps your dirty clothes from er, scenting all the contents.
It’s a well-made, highly considered piece of luggage, and we love the colour choice too: 12 standard shades to choose from plus an additional four limited edition hues - including this see-it-a-mile-away sunshine yellow.
Buy now £295.00, July
SAMSONITE Upscape Spinner four-wheel shell suitcase 81cm
Dimensions: H81 x W54 x D34cm
It may be synonymous with business travellers, but Samsonite is a brand for play too. Its hard shell base is made with polypropylene, a material that is derived from recycled PET bottles, and it’s set on four spinner wheels to help you across all sorts of terrain. Inside, you’ll find two expandable compartments along with straps and ribbons to keep things in place while you’re on the move. Oh, and a USB port is there to keep your gadgets charged through the journey.
Buy now £245.00, Selfridges
Globe-Trotter Centenary check-in suitcase
Dimensions: 51 x 75 x 26cm
When 007 travels, he uses Globe-Trotter, and if it meets his high standards and killer jet-setting, well then, who are we to argue? This Centenary case is a work of art, from the strong vulcanised fibreboard to the leather strap trims and the bright marmalade hue. While it looks old school, it’s full of 21st century features like wheels and a retractable handle so you can roll this beauty along effortlessly.
If you’ve got the cash, get the cabin case version too.
Buy now £1995.00, Matches
Carl Friedrik The Large Check-In
Dimensions: H72 x L53.5 x D 33.5cn
A supersized version of the brand’s Carry-on and standard Check-in cases, this hard-shell suitcase is a total unit that’s ready to roll with four Japanese spinner wheels. Offering total manoeuvrability, you’ll practically fly towards the check-in desk.
Inside there are plenty of compartments to organise your stuff, and with a total depth of 33.5cm, this suitcase is deeper than many mattresses. The roomy 90L capacity means you can pack without worry and fit in an extra few outfits as options when you’re on the road with plenty of space left over for souvenirs too.
Despite the size, it weighs 5.6kg which is not bad considering how much this thing holds. Carl Friedrik has kept it relatively light on its feet thanks to an aluminium lock frame and polycarbonate exterior. The case is available in all-black, which may wear better against travel, but go for contrast leather detailing to help yours stand out from the crowd.
Buy now £565.00, Carl Friedrik
Samsonite Proxis 4-Wheel 55cm Expandable Cabin Case
It’s hard to beat Samsonite if you’re someone who travels regularly and the brand’s Proxis 4-Wheel 55cm Expandable Cabin Case is a top choice for effortlessly carrying your belongings from A to B to C and then back again to A. The Proxis suitcase is a globetrotter’s dream, with a hidden section that expands to provide extra storage space, a TSA-approved lock for security, and four double wheels to ensure easy movement. Lightweight, and fitted with two carry handles, it’s also easily portable.
Buy now £359.00, John Lewis
American Tourister Airconic 77cm Four-Wheel Large Suitcase
The American Tourister Airconic 77cm Four-Wheel Large Suitcase has a hard shell, which means it’s among the best for keeping your belongings packed tightly inside without any unexpected damage on arrival.
Constructed from a resistant polypropylene outer shell that can handle the rigours of any corner of the world you’re visiting, the double 4-wheeled design gives you extra rolling comfort through the terminal.
Buy now £169.00, Fenwick
