Shopping Writer Meghan recently jetted off to Greece with these Ryanair-approved suitcases which she raves ‘made sharing luggage super easy – plus we avoided hefty extra fees at the airport’
If you’re heading off on holiday this September or travelling for work, a spacious suitcase is a must-have—especially if you’re sharing luggage. My boyfriend and I recently had to share a checked-in suitcase on our trip to Greece (to avoid paying extra luggage fees), and this set from Kapten & Son came in clutch.
With plenty of space and a huge array of organisational features, this large suitcase was perfect for seamlessly packing a week’s worth of clothing each. Plus, the cabin bag that comes in the set perfectly met Ryanair and Jet2’s luggage restrictions, so we made it through the airport without any extra (hefty) costs.
The larger suitcase measures 69 (H) x 48 (W) x 29 (D) cm and has a 77-litre capacity, with a relatively low weight (when empty) of 5.4kg. The cabin case measures 55 (H) x 38 (W) x 23 (D) cm and has a 38-litre capacity and a weight of 4.2kg. It can seamlessly fit into most airlines’ cabin bag size restrictions, so there are no last-minute charges. And if you’re trying to save as many pennies as possible, this suitcase set is currently 25% off.
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Boasting a luxurious silver hard shell that adds an understated yet glamorous look to your airport fit, my new suitcases were genuinely a lifesaver as we travelled all the way to Bristol airport, through the luggage check-in, security, etc. With so many amazing features that were simple but truly elevated our travelling experience, it’s hard to know where to begin.
First things first, the aluminium shell promised durability and peace of mind as soon as the cases arrived, as it was clear our belongings would be safe and protected on our travels. On top of that, both the larger and cabin cases come with double TSA locks that are fully customisable, allowing you to put in your own 3-digit code to ensure your cases are even more secure in the airport and on the plane.
Both cases feature sturdy, detachable 360° swivel wheels that are incredibly smooth, allowing for fast and seamless traversing through the airport. This was extremely helpful in a large airport like Bristol, where carrying around a packed-to-the-brim suitcase for more than a short 5-minute period can leave you uncomfortable. I personally would not have been able to carry the heavier case once packed, but even my boyfriend resorted to using the wheels for their convenience.
They’re super manoeuvrable, meaning you can quickly and painlessly weave in and out of shops and around crowds without getting tripped – and what’s more, they’re nearly silent, so we didn’t have to listen to any annoying clunking sounds as we roamed duty-free ahead of the flight. Paired with the height-adjustable telescopic handle, these cases could not have been easier companions to have as we prepared for our trip. The handles on both cases also come with a personalisable name tag that adds an extra level of reassurance for keeping your cases safe.
When it came to sharing luggage, I was dubious—both my boyfriend and I are overpackers, and with seven days’ worth of clothes, shoes, and swimming costumes to pack, I was scared one suitcase wouldn’t be big enough. But boy, was I wrong. Both the cabin bag and the check-in case feature the same compartments and features.
The first handy feature is the adjustable straps on one side that help to keep your belongings compact and out of the way of the zip, and the dividing flap on the alternative side that boasted two sturdy clips that kept the divider in place, even with luggage bulging underneath. The flap also features two large zip pockets that allow for easy storing of small essentials like paperwork, medication or phone charges – which is exactly what we used ours for.
Another standout feature that I’ve never seen in a suitcase before was the built-in laundry bag. Oh yeah, this thing even has you covered for keeping your dirty clothes away from your clean outfits. Attached to the side of one compartment, this laundry bag runs nearly the whole length of the suitcase with a similar depth. That said, while it was extremely handy for storing dirty underwear, socks and bikinis, this laundry section wasn’t quite big enough for two people’s washing for a whole week, so we didn’t use it for more than small garments. That said, for shorter trips, it would be the ideal size for a single person’s dirty washing.
And the joys don’t stop there, as both suitcases come armed with a huge array of packing cubes and bags, helping to keep your belongings compact and organised – this was incredibly useful when sharing the suitcase, as it meant we could make the most of our allocated space, while keeping our items neat and tidy, and separating his stuff from mine. This also meant packing extra shoes, wash bags and other bulkier items super easily, as the differently sized cubes allowed us to fill the suitcases to the brim, while perfectly fitting everything in. No more kneeling on the case and hoping for it to close.
My Kapten & Son Heathrow Aluminium Silver was a game-changer for long-haul travel and made sharing a suitcase hassle-free, while making it super easy to avoid extra luggage fees or broken possessions. They were so handy and kept our belongings safe, secure, and tidy for our whole trip, and I can’t wait to use them the next time we go away.
If you fancy picking up my beloved Heathrow set, the Aluminum Silver couple are currently up for grabs with a 25% discount on Kapten & Son’s website, now retailing for £944.85 down from £1259.80.
For those shopping around, Antler is currently offering shoppers the chance to pick up this Large Cabin Suitcase Set in Antler Green for £573.75, which includes three cases in varying sizes. Or, head over to Carl Friedrick, where you can find The Luggage Set for £795.
