Travel and Packing with Mia Tui

So it's been a while since last we last blogged, it's been a very busy Summer here at Mia Tui HQ! Charlotte had a fabulous holiday on the West Coast of America and I had a lovely break in Menorca. 

Of course, we both travelled with Mia Tui bags and accessories and so with that in mind, we thought it may be helpful to put together a blog post about travel with a few of our favourites included.

We get a lot of questions about our travel bag range, mainly asking if they comply with airline requirements? Airlines do of course state their individual bag sizing policy on their websites but I have put together a list of some of the bigger airlines with their guidelines which I hope may help you find the information you need. (All listed at the end of this post).

Whilst doing this, I found that EasyJet has a really helpful tool on their app for you to check your bag sizing against their policy. Just download their app and go to Cabin Bag Sizer where you can use your camera to check your bag size for both Cabin Bag and Under Seat Bag. I tested it with a Jennie which was allowed. 

What we do know, is that the size guidelines really don't stop Mia Tui bags from being compliant, our fabric is soft and supple, not rigid so even if for example, the Jennie may measure slightly larger than an airline may give as their guide, it is malleable and so can fit under the seat on aircraft. This is the major point that airlines wish to make, and maybe with some brands only producing rigid bags that's a problem, not so with Mia Tui!

I said we would talk a little about our own favourite travel choices, obviously, everyone has different needs when travelling as do Charlotte and I.

Charlotte always travels with her Matt Silver Jennie, (the largest of the range) because Charlotte has 2 teens and husband she often ends up carrying "stuff" for everyone, although Phillipe does use a Sydney backpack (see pic above). For long haul, it's often a great idea to carry a change of clothes or leisurewear for the plane. So Charlotte's tip is to use one of the middle size packing cubes for this inside the Jennie. She uses a Beau organiser for cables/chargers which she also keeps with her in the Jennie. Both Charlotte and I used the new RFID travel wallets for the first time and we both loved them. Charlotte also used the Falmouth every day along with the water bottles and PVCs'. She also took her trusty Maya for days out and again found all of these products to be brilliant for organisation during her holiday. 

My choice is the Zoe, as I only have myself to think about when travelling (my husband like Charlotte's uses a Sydney to travel with and now says he loves it!) I find Zoe is perfect for me to fit a book, small packing cube for my medication, an Isobel for popping to Duty Free or to freshen up without taking Zoe, my RFID travel wallet (which should not be ignored as it was an absolute godsend for us keeping all our travel documents, EHIC cards, driving licenses, currency and insurance documents organised and in one place) and a water bottle. I use the clear PVC pouch for 100ml bits for security and the matching clutch holds, wet wipes, tissues, and my glasses case.  

I do also have a mini Jen which I used to travel with when we went to Spain for our SS18 photoshoot as I also took my laptop and work files. If I fly long haul and want to take a change of clothes, I may choose Mini Jen, but for my short-haul travel, Zoe is my go-to bag. 

Sydney is proving to be a big hit with the Mia Tui men! I will be giving Sydney's for Christmas to my daughters' partners as I think it also means us girls can then concentrate on ourselves rather than having to think about what the men want to take to travel with! Let them sort themselves out, there's no excuse with a Sydney!

Let me touch on what I also found to be a revelation! Packing cubes.... who knew? I can honestly say, I will always travel using them now. I rolled everything which meant far less creasing and except for dresses, which I hung up,  I simply transferred each cube with its contents into the Hotel drawers rather than having to unpack everything. More time for fun I say!

Like Charlotte, I also used the Falmouth for the first time as a beach/pool bag. It was perfect for us. It held both our water bottles and of course towels, books, phones, change of swimming costume, and all the other usual paraphernalia we all take to the pool and beach. It looked great and was easy to use. 

So that's a little insight from us into how we use our Mia Tui bags when travelling, and the items we used daily whilst away. I also popped a couple of Sues' into my luggage for any time we were out shopping. There is really no reason not to always have a Sue shopper to hand. You never know when they may come in handy...sometimes when least expected!

Below is a little more information as I mentioned at the start of this post, with some airline guidelines. As I mentioned, the Easy Jet app now has a camera tool for checking sizing and don't forget Mia Tui bags are not rigid meaning they do all fit under the airline seats. 

We hope you find this guide helpful.

JET 2

Hand Luggage Allowances

You may carry on board one piece of hand luggage free of charge, as long as it weighs no more than 10kg and is no larger than 56cm x 45cm x 25cm, including any wheels and handles. If your hand luggage weighs more or is larger than this, it will need to be checked into the aircraft hold, and you may have to pay an additional charge.

You can also bring a small, personal item onboard (such as a handbag, laptop bag or airport purchase), as long as it is placed underneath the seat in front of you. Please note that you cannot drink any alcohol purchased at the airport during the flight.

All hand luggage is carried in the cabin at our discretion, and we reserve the right to check it into the aircraft hold for operational or capacity reasons. If this is the case, you must ensure that you remove all valuable items (including travel documents, money, medication, keys, spare lithium batteries, as well as any electronic items containing lithium batteries) and carry these with you in the cabin

 RYAN AIR

Hand Luggage Allowances

Non-priority

All passengers are entitled to bring 1 small personal bag on board which must fit under the seat in front of you (40cm x 20cm x 25cm). Examples include handbag, laptop bag, and a small backpack.

Duty-free bags are also permitted in the cabin along with your cabin baggage.

 Priority & 2 Cabin Bags

 Passengers with Priority & 2 Cabin Bags, Plus/Flexi ticket or a connecting flight ticket can bring 1 small cabin bag which must fit under the seat in front of them (40cm x 20cm x 25cm). Priority customers can also bring an additional 10kg bag on board which must fit into the baggage sizer (not exceeding 10kg and dimensions 55cm x 40cm x 20cm) and will be stored in the overhead locker.

Duty-free bags are also permitted in the cabin along with your cabin baggage.

 EASYJET

 Get the EasyJet app to size your bag!

Cabin bag

 Maximum size 56x45x25cm, including handles and wheels. Cabin bags should be placed in the overhead lockers or if small enough under the seat in front of you.

 Flexi, Upfront, Extra Legroom customers and easyJet Plus cardholders

 You can bring an additional under seat bag like a laptop bag or handbag.  Maximum size 45x36x20cm.  Bags must be placed under the seat in front of you.

TUI PACKAGE HOLIDAYS CABIN BAGGAGE ALLOWANCE

Hand luggage

 You can take 1 piece of hand luggage per person (excluding infants) weighing up to 10kg and with maximum dimensions of 55x40x20cm on a TUI Airways flight. Things like laptops, handbags, and items bought at the airport must fit within your 1 piece of hand luggage. You must be able to lift your hand luggage in to the overhead storage compartments yourself.

 FLIGHT ONLY BOOKINGS

Hand luggage

If you’re just booking a TUI Airways flight, you can carry 1 piece of hand luggage of up to 10kg for free. The maximum dimensions of your hand luggage can be 55x40x20cm and you must be able to lift your hand luggage in to the overhead storage compartments yourself. Things like laptops, handbags, and items bought at the airport must fit within your 1 piece of hand luggage.

British Airways Hand Baggage

All customers are permitted to carry one piece of hand luggage and one small item (handbag, laptop) on board.

Hand luggage must not exceed 56cm x 45cm x 25cm and the small item must be no bigger than 40cm x 30cm x 15cm. Both items can weigh up to 23kg each.

SINGAPORE AIRLINES CABIN BAGGAGE

Economy Class Up to 7kg each, sum of length width and height of each piece should not exceed 115cm.

Additional items allowed on board

You may carry ONE of these items with you on flights, free of charge, in addition to your cabin baggage allowance (subject to country restrictions where applicable)

 Ladies Handbag

Camera

Document Bag

Overcoat

Umbrella

Laptop Bag

The maximum dimensions for these bags are 40x30x10cm each. If your item exceeds the total dimension of 80cm (the length, width, and height combined), it will be counted as part of your standard cabin baggage allowance. You will then be required to check-in either your cabin bag or the additional item.

UNITED AIRLINES

personal item and 1 carry-on

Personal item

Your personal item like a purse or small handbag must fit under the seat in front of you. Dimensions should not exceed 18 x 14 x 8 inches (45 x 35 x 20 cm).

Diaper bags (1 per child), soft-sided cooler bags with breast milk, child safety seats, strollers and medical or mobility devices don’t count as your personal item or carry-on.

We hope this helps with some of the major airline guidelines, but please don't forget that ALL Mia Tui travel bags can fit under the seat of the aircraft.