Brits using hacks to save on airport baggage - including wearing extra clothes

Brits are going to extraordinary lengths to save money by skipping paying for baggage on flights.

Holidaymakers are taking extra steps to maximise their holiday wardrobe, including donning multiple layers of clothing and even casting aside underwear. New research reveals 72% of people have turned up at check-in with overweight or oversize items.

Many are resorting to clever and creative ways to make sure everything makes the cut so they can spend more cash on having a good time when they land. With carry-on bags measured to squeeze even more out of travellers on budget airlines, some have found ways around it.It comes afterRyanair passengers band together as staff charge woman £75 luggage fee.

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A staggering 54 per cent say they’ve worn extra outfits with 28 percent donning as many as three or four layers of clothing, according to the study commissioned by Heathrow Express. Some travellers are more imaginative with 9 per cent wearing a beach towel as a scarf.

Some 30 per cent make space by buying toiletries at their destination, and 13 per cent even squeezing outfits into pillowcases disguised as travel pillows. Meanwhile a third of of 25-34 year-olds have boarded a flight without packing underwear to make room for more ‘important items’.

And when there’s still a bit too much to fit, 9% have cheekily tried to sweet-talk check-in staff in the hope of side-stepping weight limits. When all else fails, Brits report spending an average of £44 on extra baggage. Aoife Considine, business lead at Heathrow Express says it is clear why.

He said: “Packing for a holiday is exciting - so exciting, in fact, that many of us try to take as much as we can to make the most of every moment away. We love seeing how resourceful travellers can be, but there’s a smarter way to make sure you can take everything you need.

“By saving money on the journey to the airport, you can spend more on what matters - like actually packing that extra outfit or not having to choose between sandals and sneakers. No towel scarves required. With spacious cabins, dedicated luggage areas, and advance fares from just £10, there’s plenty of room - and peace of mind - to start your journey smoothly, right from the train.”

BRITS’ TOP 5 TRAVEL HACKS

Buying clothes or toiletries at their destination – 34%

Wearing hiking boots or heavy shoes to save suitcase space – 23%

Wear a coat or ski jacket on a hot day to avoid packing it – 20%

Wear 3-4 layers of clothing at once – 28%

Stuff items in coat or jacket pockets – 24%

With the summer holidays in full swing, lots of Brits are heading on holidays and looking for all sorts of packing hacks to make their journeys easier. However, when sorting out your cases, there's one big rule you may want to follow if you don't want to risk delays at the airport.

When you travel abroad, it can be hard to decide what to pack, as most people like to try and cover all weather eventualities with their clothing choices. But - if you're someone who likes to try and squeeze in as much as possible - you may want to think again, as your bulky suitcase could land you in a spot of bother at the airport.

Travel tip sharer Taylor, known as taytrox_travel on TikTok, recently said airports are becoming "strict" on how much luggage you carry on. So, if you want to travel with ease, you may want to follow some essential packing advice.

Taylor said: "If you're packing a carry on and using that expansion zipper to squeeze in as many outfits as possible, I'm telling you now, do not do it. Airlines have gotten so strict in the last few months, and they are cracking down hard.

"Even if your bag fits in the overhead bin, if it's just expanded just a tiny bit, they'll make you check and - no - your first class ticket isn't going to save you either. It doesn't matter how much you paid or how early you boarded."