Hard-shell suitcase for hand luggage

Buying Cabin Luggage – What Should I Look Out For?

While researching a new cabin suitcase, you may have already come across the 55-35-20 rule. This states that the dimensions of your carry-on luggage – length x width x height – must not exceed 55 x 35 x 20 cm. However, this is really just a rule of thumb, as baggage dimensions and weight limits vary by airline. For example, Eurowings and Lufthansa allow maximum dimensions of 55 x 40 x 23 cm for cabin luggage. In our carry-on guide, you'll find everything you need to know about the dimensions and permitted weight of your travel luggage. In addition to the correct dimensions, there are a few more things to keep in mind when choosing your cabin suitcase:

Weight

Most airlines allow a maximum weight of 8 to 10 kilograms for cabin luggage. To stay within this limit, your cabin suitcase should weigh no more than 4 kilograms. This helps you avoid excess baggage fees and lets you breeze through security with ease.

Wheels

It's the ultimate nightmare: you're rushing from security to your gate, sweat on your brow, you can almost hear the last passengers boarding – and at that very moment, your wheels jam or even fall off. To avoid this scenario, you should invest in a cabin suitcase with high-quality or replaceable wheels. The wheels on your Kapten & Son suitcase are replaceable and come with a ten-year guarantee.

Material

Your suitcase is your loyal travel companion and should reliably stand by your side while keeping your belongings well protected. When choosing your cabin suitcase, make sure it is made from durable materials such as polycarbonate or aluminium. These materials make hard-shell suitcases particularly resilient as carry-on luggage.

Telescopic Handle

A solidly constructed telescopic handle gives you a secure grip. The handle should neither wobble nor be flexible. A high-quality cabin suitcase features a firm telescopic handle that allows you to manoeuvre comfortably through the airport and city centre.

Security

Sturdy aluminium corner caps and a stable interior structure efficiently protect your travel belongings. A TSA combination lock ensures that your suitcase can be opened by security authorities without any issues.

Capacity

Your cabin suitcase should hold a minimum of 30 litres. This gives you plenty of room to pack all the essentials for a weekend getaway without compromise. By the way, depending on your airline and fare, you may be allowed to bring one larger and one smaller piece of carry-on luggage on board. The smaller item should fit under the seat in front of you. A laptop backpack is particularly well-suited for this, as it gives you quick access to your electronic devices and important travel documents.

Aluminium Cabin Luggage: Pros and Cons

Contrary to what many people might think, aluminium actually weighs more than other materials. The downside of aluminium cabin suitcases is therefore their weight. However, the material is significantly higher in quality and therefore more durable than alternatives. This makes hard-shell aluminium suitcases particularly well-suited as cabin luggage.

It's a Match: Cabin Luggage by Kapten & Son

Kapten & Son hard-shell cabin suitcases impress with their minimalist design while offering numerous practical features – effortlessly meeting all the criteria of a great carry-on suitcase.

• With dimensions of 55 x 35 x 20 cm, our Heathrow Essential Cabin is suitable as cabin luggage for numerous airlines.

• Our high-end 360° spinner wheels come with a 10-year guarantee and can be replaced at any Kapten & Son store.

Premium polycarbonate and aluminium make our Heathrow Cabin an almost indestructible travel companion. Shop your new travel buddy now.