Lufthansa moves to end pilots'dispute

German airline Lufthansa is attempting to end its long running and damaging dispute with the pilot's union Vereinigung that has caused disruption both this and last year resulting in massive losses to the company.

Have previously refused the union's demand for its grievances to be put before an independent arbitrator, Lufthansa has now agreed to this in the hope of making progress.

To red more about this development click here. 

For luggage for your next flight click here.

Pic: Lufthansa

Virgin Atlantic & Delta introduce more transatlantic services

Virgin Atlantic and Delta Airlines have announced an extension to their transatlantic partnership with the introduction of six new daily services to their customers.

Starting this weekend the joint schedule offers up to 39 return transatlantic flights a day between the UK and a total of 15 destinations across the USA.

Virgin is launching additional services between Heathrow and Los Angeles, Atlanta & San Francisco. 

Further services are being introduced to Philadelphia, New York JFK, Detroit, Orlanda and Las Vegas.

To read more about the service improvements click here. 

Some tips when buying cabin luggage

Buying cabin luggage for your next trip?

If you use any of the budget airlines it's well worth checking their websites to establish if they operate with lower size limits than the standard IATA cabin size of 56x45x25cm.

Many, including easyJet, work with smaller sizes, and should you arrive at the airport with a bigger case, you may well find that you have to pay to check it in.

Generally, although there are exceptions, the major scheduled carriers work to the IATA sizing.  

Do beware though if you're getting internal flights with other airlines when you arrive - they may work with different size limits from your first carrier, and increasingly US airlines are joining in the march to lower cabin sizes.

For advice on buying cabin luggage and links to many airlines' web sites click here.

Aer Lingus rejects BA owner's takeover bid

The International Consolidated Airlines Group (IAG) has reported that it has recently made an offer to buy Irish airline Aer Lingus.

IAG's press release says that Aer Lingus has rejected the offer.

IAG the owner of British Airways also controls Iberia the Spanish airline and Vueling a low cost carrier.

Aer Lingus is based in Dublin and operates a fleet of 47 Airbus aircraft carrying over 10.6 million passengers a year.  It is the 3rd largest operator at London's Heathrow airport.

Major shareholders in Aer LIngus are Ryanair and the Irish Government, both of whom would have had to approve the deal.

Europol helps arrest 118 online criminals

Europol, the European Union's law enforcement agency based in The Hague, last week took part in a global action to crack down on criminals fraudulently purchasing plane tickets using stolen or fake credit card details.

Along with Europol, Interpol in Singapore and Ameripol in Bogata were involved.

The action targeted 80 airports across the world and involved over 60 airlines and 45 countries.

281 suspicious card transactions were reported during the 2 day operation, resulting in 118 people being arrested.

The airline industry alone has suffered losses of $1 billion from internet related crime, with further losses absorbed by banks as well as suffering inflicted on those whose card details have been compromised.

Click here to read more

How did you rate customer service?

How do you rate the customer service you received on your last holiday?

How did you find the service provided by the Airport Parking? Check In? Security? Baggage Reclaim? Flight Attendants? Your Hotel or Accommodation provider? Airport Transfers?

Did you come accross any exceptional service? any diabolical service?

Please share your thoughts with us.

You can email us by clicking here or send a tweet to @LuggageUK

See what our customers think of our service by clicking here

What size suitcase do I need?

So you're buying a new suitcase. What do the dimensions and capacities actually mean and how do they relate to your circumstances?


Most importantly all the dimensions shown on our site at Luggage UK are OVERALL. This is the same convention used by the airlines and includes all wheels, handles and anything else that sticks out!  Dimensions are not the same as the actual carcass of the case or bag.

 Capacities shown are the usable packing volume - not the result of multiplying the carcass dimensions.  Interior volume gets used up by rounded shells, recesses for handles, wheels and the trolley mechanism.

There are 2 main factors in choosing the size of case that you need.

Firstly please be aware of any upper size and weight limits provided by the airline that you'll be flying with.  Limits do vary with carrier and may not stay constant over a period of time for your regular airline - ALWAYS CHECK. Our page at Luggage UK has links to the main airlines.

The second main factor is how many people you're packing for and how long you'll be away.  

A cabin case may be all you'll need if you're packing for yourself and only away for a couple of nights.  

If you're away for a night on a business trip then a mobile office case has capacity not only for your laptop, but also a change of clothes.

For longer trips or when you're packing for the family, one or more medium, large or extra large suitcases will probably be required.

Don't forget to allow some unused space in your case to bring back gifts and momentos from your trip.

If you'd like any further help or advice, please call us on 01444 417111 or you can email us at any time.

American Tourister Pasadena Large 4 Wheel Suitcase

How to improve your holiday experience

How can you improve your holiday experience?

Obviously it does depend greatly on what you expect from your break and the amount of money that you're able to spend, but it may be worth considering the following points before and after booking your vacation.

What do you like doing?

If you're an active person, it may not be the best of ideas to book a holiday where there is not much to do other than sunbathe by the pool.  Are there particular activities that you'd like to do in the resort or the immediate locality? Are excursions available to enjoy areas further afield from your base? 

Read the small print of the holiday and hotel description for any potential problems and pitfalls with what's provided.  Do your research on line and see what previous guests have reported. How may what you find affect your ability to enjoy your own interests?

What can I afford?

None of us like spending more than we have to, and often strive to secure that bargain.  Do always question why a particular holiday is cheaper than would seem reasonable for what you're getting.  Is there a problem with the hotel? Is access poor? Are the hotel amenities below standard? Will you be a long way from local transport? Again thorough research before booking may help you avoid problems or at the very least understand what you'll actually be getting.

Paying a bit extra for your package may make all the difference to your holiday experience.  You may even find that you save money through not having to pay locally for facilities that would be extra on the cheaper deal.

Plan your holiday

A bit of forward thinking can avoid tensions and frustration when you actually arrive at your destination, particularly if you're travelling with the family.  have a rough plan of what everyone would like to do so as to avoid arguments when you're there.

Arranging transfers to and from the airports in advance may prove cheaper than making local arrangements, plus you have the peace of mind coming from knowing that it's been done in advance.

Produce a checklist in getting ready for your holiday. This could include:

Ensuring your passports have at least 6 months validity left when you travel

If you're travelling in Europe have you got your European health Card

Arranging foreign currency

Checking the facilities and costs of using your mobile and tablet abroad - check that you won't come back to a nasty bill when you return

Check that your luggage is up to the journey. if it's not then visit Luggage UK for the latest lightweight models.  Don't forget that your case must have a TSA lock if you're travelling to the USA

Have you arranged your travel insurance?

Plan what you're taking with you to ensure that you meet any luggage weight restrictions.  Don't forget your camera!  Check limits on the size of cabin luggage

Immediately before you travel have you printed off your documents?

Don't forget to check in on line!

When you travel

A luggage strap is a great way of providing extra security for your case, and can help in quickly identifying your case on the carousel.

Security wallets can help ensure that you don't fall victim to opportunistic pickpockets when your away.

Always ensure that you attach tags to your luggage for identification, but use the type where you have a flap to hide your details from casual onlookers.

Neck pillows, DVT socks and eye masks can help reduce the fatigue of undertaking a long flight.

Make sure that toiletries are carried in the correct containers to comply with security rules

Always check your airlines cabin luggage dimensions and any restrictions for luggage being checked into the hold.

You can order your travel accessories by clicking here

ALWAYS inspect your luggage as you collect it from the carousel for any signs of damage that wasn't there when you checked your bags in.  The airlines are always responsible for damage caused when they have your bags in their custody and you must claim from the airline there and then - DO NOT wait until alter as you may be disappointed.  The warranty on your bag or suitcase specifically excludes airline damage, and will not help you in this respect.

When you arrive

Firstly - make sure you enjoy yourself - you've worked hard to enjoy your break!

When you leave your room, consider making use of the hotel safe to avoid taking valuables and excess money with you when you may not be able to properly protect them - ie on the beach

If you find there are any problems with the hotel make the manager and your holiday representative aware - it's a very good idea to take pictures and make notes so that in the event you need to make a claim on your return you'll have all the information and evidence to hand. 

Make sure that you're aware of any local customs and rules - if tipping is the norm you may find you have problems if you don't. Don't forget that behaviour that is acceptable in the UK may not be in other countries!

Watch out for confidence tricksters in the main holiday resorts and hot spots - the locals can recognise a tourist and some may be looking for the opportunity to overcharge you or worse!

Ensure you're familiar with the look and value of the local currency, and always check your change!

Finally

Arrive back refreshed after your break!

Airline cabin and weight limits and allowances

Cabin luggage and baggage allowances - hasn't it all got complicated in recent years?

Inevitably many of the changes made by the airlines have been introduced as a way of extracting more money from you the paying traveller. While many of the schedules airlines still adopt the IATA sizes for cabin bags, many, including a lot of the budget carriers are adopting their own maximum sizes seemingly in some cases without checking there are any cases on the market that meet the new sizes first!

For luggage that you're checking in, ensuring that you meet weight limits may be a problem - investing in one of the latest lightweight suitcases will ensure that you don't miss out, and get stuck with extra charges.

Don't forget always to check your particular carrier's requirements and limits before buying new luggage - they do vary! Click here for links to the most popular airlines.

If you'd like any more help or advice please call us on 01444 417111 or email us outside regular office hours.