Why go this small
Travelling with just a bag that slides under the seat in front of you is liberating. There is no waiting at the carousel, no fight for overhead locker space and no dragging a suitcase over uneven streets. It also suits the lowest fare types: with an AeroVista Lite fare, your allowance is one personal item of up to 40 by 30 by 20 cm.
It is not for every trip. A wedding, a ski holiday or a week with a range of activities may need more. But for two or three nights in a city, a personal item is often enough.
Choose the right bag
A soft, rectangular backpack or shoulder bag that matches the allowed dimensions works far better than a rigid briefcase. Look for a clamshell opening, which unzips fully like a small suitcase, so you can pack in layers. Avoid bags with lots of external padding or frames, which eat into the space inside.
Measure your bag when it is full, not empty. A soft bag that meets the limit when flat can bulge beyond it once packed.
Build a tiny wardrobe
Pick one colour palette so every top goes with every bottom. A practical set for three nights might be one pair of trousers worn, one spare, two or three tops, a light layer, sleepwear and underwear. Choose thin, quick-drying fabrics that can be washed in a hotel sink and dried overnight.
Wear your bulkiest items for the flight: the heavier shoes, the jacket and the warm jumper. Jacket pockets can hold a phone, a book and a charger, which frees room in the bag.
Shrink the small stuff
Toiletries are the usual space thief. Solid products, a few mini bottles and a small zip pouch keep them compact. Skip anything your accommodation provides. A single multi-port charger with one cable that fits most of your devices saves a tangle of plugs.
Leave room for the journey home. If you think you will buy things, pack a thin foldable bag and consider adding a cabin bag to your booking in advance; on AeroVista the cabin bag add-on is 12 euros when bought online, which is usually far easier than trying to fix things at the gate.
Good to know
- Check the personal item dimensions with the bag fully packed.
- Wear your heaviest shoes and jacket on the plane.
- Plan one outfit per day in advance to avoid 'just in case' packing.