Best bag for under airplane seat?

[mrstomrice]

Our August trip came to be due to the great airfares purchased through Spirit Airlines. To keep it reasonable, we don't want to over pay for baggage fees. The only free bags we can bring are bags that can fit under our seats. We plan to check 1-2 bags. There are 4 of us so we can each put bags under the seats in front of us. What tends to be a good bag for this purpose?

 

[Sagginit]

two things to consider, 1) do you want to be able to put your legs/feet under the seat? 2) do you need to access the items in it? i have a bag i got a few years ago at target. its a rectangular carry on shape almost a mini duffle, but soft enough i can squish it down if needed to fit under the seat. it has a front zip open section, two mesh pockets on the side, and it zips open on the top around three sides. this makes it easy to get everything i need during my flight. this is the closest thing i can find to my bag to give you an idea of the setup : http://www.ebags.com/product/high-sierra/next-level-deluxe-tote/122939?productid=1318738

anything with wheels or hard may not be a good idea as spirit will make you put it in that little box to size it at check in. something soft if not full can be squished into it, but if its hard or has a frame w/ wheels you would be done if its just a smidge too big.

i also would say maybe a large jansport type backpack. also keep in mind that is then your one personal item. so if you have a handbag it needs to go inside or they will count it as two bags.

the last time i took spirit they let those that paid for carry ons board first and they then closed most of the cabinets as they were full, thus forcing the rest of the flight to put their carryons under the seat, so if you must have leg room don't bring something really big.

 

[mrstomrice]

Thank you! I was planning on mainly backpacks, but looking for any suggestions

 

[bettymae1121]

honestly I find backpacks work the best, they fit under the seat great and they are easy to get into if you need something that you packed. Then when you need to carry it, it's so convienant to just strap it on to your back, with two straps the weight is balanced so it's more comfortable, you don't have to worry about it slipping off your shoulder, and it keeps your hands free.

Backpacks and rolling duffels (for the overhead) are the two best pieces of luggage for airline carry-on, bar none!

 

[bearzabout]

I use a soft sided cooler with a shoulder strap when I fly Spirit Airlines. They can be super cheap and I don't waste hardly any space on the bag itself. It is exactly the right size so I can maximize storage space. Since it is so soft, it can squeeze into any underseat space easily. I can use it as a cooler in the room after I arrive at my destination.

I can't remember where I bought it, but look around for them if you are interested.

 

[ceecee]

I love my Metropolitan Vera Bradley. It holds a ton, but it's not really large. It also has a place in the front for things like tickets, license, etc.

 

[mieuxmew]

I have taken a Vera Bradley weekender. Don't overpack it just in case you need to squish it into the metal box to check size before boarding.

FYI - for cheapest checked bag price, pay for your checked bags 24 hours BEFORE your flight or bag will cost you more than if you pay less than 24 hours when you check in online. Price jumps again if you pay at the airport. Also print your boarding passes ahead of time, as they charge for that too. For the return trip home, ask your hotel to print your boarding passes before you head to the airport. Also weigh your bags and take a small luggage scale with you. Spirit considers a bag overweight if more than 40 pounds (industry standard is 50 pounds). In November, Spirit will be charging $100 to pay for a carry on at the airport Very hefty fee to pay for an oversized person item!!

 

[mieuxmew]

From Spirit's website

Unintended Consequences of DOT Regulations Fee $2.00 per customer, each way
Charge for Airport Agents printing Boarding Passes (Fee starts 24 January 2012) $5.00 per boarding pass printed
Charge for printing Boarding Passes at Kiosk (Fee starts 31 October 2012) $2.00 per boarding pass printed

 

[DiznyDi]

I don't fly without my Kipling Sherpa Tote! Great bag, lots of room and fits perfectly under an airline seat.

 

[mrstomrice]

Wow...so many fees if you don't know about them...I guess that is how they make up the difference in cheap fares! Thanks for all of the info!

 

[Straitlover]

If you want something nice, I saw this Samantha Brown bag on TV the other day:

http://www.hsn.com/home-solutions/samantha-brown-croco-embossed-underseater_p-6707419_xp.aspx

 

[Fly4free]

honestly I find backpacks work the best, they fit under the seat great and they are easy to get into if you need something that you packed. Then when you need to carry it, it's so convienant to just strap it on to your back, with two straps the weight is balanced so it's more comfortable, you don't have to worry about it slipping off your shoulder, and it keeps your hands free.

Backpacks and rolling duffels (for the overhead) are the two best pieces of luggage for airline carry-on, bar none!

I second the backpack. Everyone in my family typically uses one when we travel. I like having separate compartments to keep a small purse and documents/ boarding passes. Then when you get the rest of your luggage you have free hands to manage it.

 

[sissy_ib]

I have a question. If you have to go out and buy new carry on bags are you really saving that much money vs just checking an additional bag? Sprint charges $18 per checked bag each way. If you already have backpacks you can fit a lot in them and they will still fit under the seat. Personally, I would not go buy new bags to save money unless they were something I needed in general.

 

[wdw_girl_18]

My lands end medium canvas tote fits under the airline seat perfectly. I managed to pack 2 days worth of clothes, pajamas, toiletries, ipad, wallet and my massive nikon camera in there. Just be careful cause last time I flew the person in front of me spilled their alcohol and my bag absorbed it all

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

My lands end medium canvas tote fits under the airline seat perfectly. I managed to pack 2 days worth of clothes, pajamas, toiletries, ipad, wallet and my massive nikon camera in there. Just be careful cause last time I flew the person in front of me spilled their alcohol and my bag absorbed it all

I use a backpack and I just bought a small computer bag for my laptop. The 2 of them should fit together well under the airline seat.

I put in the front pocket of the backpack, a kitchen garbage bag. I put my backpack and plan to put the laptop computer bag in it before sliding it under the seat in front of me.
That way I avoid the gum stuck on the floor and it would stop any spills from getting absorbed by my bags.

I also put whatever I will be using on the plane ride like my Ipod or Kindle or a book and snacks and headphones in a gallon ziplock bag. The whole gallon ziplock bag goes in the seat pocket instead of putting each item in it individually. It's easy to grab my stuff out when the plane has landed and you also avoid getting gum or any yuck on your items.

 

[Cdnmom6]

My lands end medium canvas tote fits under the airline seat perfectly. I managed to pack 2 days worth of clothes, pajamas, toiletries, ipad, wallet and my massive nikon camera in there. Just be careful cause last time I flew the person in front of me spilled their alcohol and my bag absorbed it all

Thanks! This is the bag I plan to take on plane next week if it arrives in time. Hope it works out great. I will watch for spilling drinks, thanks for the warning!

 

[aubriee]

I have taken a Vera Bradley weekender. Don't overpack it just in case you need to squish it into the metal box to check size before boarding.

FYI - In November, Spirit will be charging $100 to pay for a carry on at the airport Very hefty fee to pay for an oversized person item!!

Have you carried your Vera Bradley Weekender lately? The reason I asked is, that when we flew Spirit this past Sept I saw the lady in front of me have to pay for hers. The lady that scanned the tickets noticed it and said she didn't think it fit within their guidelines for a personal item and had the other lady at the gate (the one behind the counter) measure it. Spirit's limit for a personal item is 16"x14"x12" and the Weekender is 18 1/2"x12"x8". The gate agents told her it was too long and she'd have to pay for it as a carryon. The lady argued that because it was soft, it would squish, but they still said it was over the measurement for a personal item. It did not appear to be full either. I too have a Vera Bradley Weekender I like, but thankfully did not carry it that trip. With the new $100.00 they are charging at the airport starting this month, I bet they are going to be taking a closer look at people's personal items.

 

[aubriee]

I don't fly without my Kipling Sherpa Tote! Great bag, lots of room and fits perfectly under an airline seat.

I have this bag too and love it. I picked it and a Kipling Teagan rolling duffel carry on at the Kipling store in the Outlet Mall off of Vineland when I was down there my last trip. They had really good prices on their Kipling bags. Actually, I got the Sherpa tote, the 22" Teagan rolling duffel, and a Alvar XS Minibag all to match for less that what I'd pay for just the Teagan rolling duffel anywhere else.

 

[NotUrsula]

My lands end medium canvas tote fits under the airline seat perfectly. I managed to pack 2 days worth of clothes, pajamas, toiletries, ipad, wallet and my massive nikon camera in there. Just be careful cause last time I flew the person in front of me spilled their alcohol and my bag absorbed it all

Scotchgard is your friend! $5 can at WallyWorld. Put on two coats and liquid will run right off the bag.

 

[michellejed]

I ended up making my own bag because I couldn't find that size.

I didn't want to give up my space using smaller bag and I wanted to make sure I did't go over by even an inch! Not going to pay $100 at the last minute if they decide to get snarky!

I put one large pocket on the front and several smaller inside and made it out of upholstery material and lined it with regular lining material. It has a wide padded strap and a huge button to close when I can. You could use velcro to.

I throw my purse on top as I walk through the door to the plane so they can't get me for 2 bags.