This cheat code’s for you savvy packers and budget-conscious people… Did you know, when you book a First Choice holiday with TUI Airways flights, you get a 10kg hand luggage bag included per person? 🤯 No need to add it on!
We’ve already shouted about how you pay for only what you need with us – so you can choose to split one bag between two, ditch the transfers etc. But if you’re looking at booking a trip with TUI flights, those package prices ALREADY come with 10kg. That’s a 10kg cabin bag + a personal item to go under your seat, which is all you need for a long weekend away – even a couple of weeks if you know how to pack right. If you fly with another airline, this will usually cost you anywhere between £10 and £50 each way, so it’s a real win for your budget.
Here’s everything you need to know about this travel hack, and some packing tips to prove 10kg really is enough…
What counts as hand luggage?
Hand luggage consists of the bags you take on the plane with you, and that usually means a personal item that goes under the seat + a cabin bag that goes in the lockers above your head. With some airlines, you only get the personal item included with your fare, then there’s a charge to add on hand luggage and/or checked-luggage per passenger – you can do this when you book or after.
Some airlines call them different things, so here’s a little glossary:
Personal item / small backpack / under-seat cabin bag – a handbag or small backpack that can fit under the seat in front of you.
Hand luggage / carry-on / cabin bag – a small suitcase or duffel bag that goes in the lockers above your head.
Checked-in / checked / hold luggage – a large suitcase that is checked in at the airport before going through security, and travels in the hold of the plane.
Make sure you check your airline’s luggage specifications, as the sizes allowed for each type can vary.
How to get 10kg hand luggage for free
All you have to do is ✨ book a First Choice package holiday that has TUI Airways flights, and you’ll get a 10kg cabin bag included per person ✨ in your total holiday cost, as well as a small, personal item each. If you’re thinking, why not just book with TUI then? Well, TUI holidays come with checked-in luggage AND hand luggage as standard, and you can’t remove them to make your trip cheaper. So, for the trips where you’re only going for a few days, you’ll always have 20kg to lug around (if you’ve paid for it, why waste it, right?). Which is great if you love to pack all the options, not so great if you’re just filling your case for the sake of it and would rather save the cash…
That’s why we removed bags and transfers from our bookings. The upfront cost is less to start with, then you can decide what you need and add any extras on. It’s just that with TUI Airways flight packages, that upfront cost still includes 10kg 🎉 No adding needed x
Is 10kg hand luggage enough?
Well, that’s up to you, but two weeks with 10kg of luggage has definitely been done before. You can skip to our packing tips below to see how it’s done, but here are some key perks of going hand luggage-only to convince you…
- ZERO risk of your bags getting lost ✅
- ZERO time wasted waiting for your bags at the airport ✅
- ZERO money spent adding on luggage (when you fly with TUI Airways) ✅
And remember… you’ve got your personal item, too! Your cabin bag has to weigh up to 10kg – your personal item isn’t part of that weight limit.
Hand luggage packing tips
1. Check your airline’s hand luggage specifications
Most airlines have slightly different size specifications for your hand luggage bags, so make sure to check your airline’s website before you start packing. You might be asked to place your bag in the hand luggage sizer at the gate to make sure it’s not too big, especially if your flight is full, so you don’t want to get caught out…
Picking a hard-shell suitcase is a good shout for making sure you never overpack. Soft bags can bulge if you overfill them, so even if it’s the right size to start with, there’s the risk it might not fit in the sizer once full.
TUI hand luggage specifications:
- Cabin bag: 55 x 40 x 20cm
- Personal item: 40 x 30 x 20cm
2. Make the most of your personal item
Remember, with this cheat code you’ll have your under-the-seat bag included as well! If you’re struggling to get everything to fit in your 10kg cabin bag, make sure you take the maximum sized personal item you can, and pack it with more than just what you’ll need handy on the flight.
3. Wear your bulkiest clothes
If you try and pack your puffiest puffer jacket in your hand luggage, you’re not going to get very far… Wear your bulkiest items on the plane, so they don’t take up any room. Hiking boots, your coat, that chunky knit jumper… be tactical about your travel fit.
4. Maximise space
Those holes in your shoes where your feet go? Fill them with socks and pants. Use ALL the available space! Rolling your clothes is meant to be the most efficient packing method, so you can pack items in super tight next to each other. And, if you have a soft-sided bag, make sure you pack any hard items – plugs, straighteners, charging packs – in the middle. If they’re around the edges or in an outer pocket, they can bulge out and stop your bag from fitting in the luggage sizer.
5. Buy your toiletries from duty free
PSA: Toiletries bought in the airport after security checks aren’t restricted by the 100ml rule. So, by all means decant your fave moisturiser – plus most makeup items are under 100ml anyway. But buy your suncream, shampoo, body wash and any other liquids you’ll need a decent amount of from duty free. You can never have too much SPF… Or, if you’re going away as a group, why not all chip in and share some communal toiletries? That way none of it goes to waste, as you’ll have to ditch anything that’s left for the way home.
Go hand luggage only and pick your next trip from our deals with 10kg hand luggage included.
Looking for more articles? You’ll find them on the Inspire homepage.
Author: Lily Owen (she/her)
Last updated: 08/12/2025
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