How to pack 7kg Carry On Luggage When It's Your Only Bag For Air Travel

When flying with budget airlines, you sometimes need to keep things light. Here’s how to pack 7kg carry-on luggage when it’s your only bag for travel.

For a solo trip to Malaysia, I wanted to challenge myself to travel with only a backpack that does not exceed AirAsia’s cabin bag allowance of 7kg of carry-on luggage.

The challenge arose because during my adventures in Southeast Asia, I had five different flights, and I wanted to keep costs down by adhering to the AirAsia baggage policy.

AirAsia includes extra charges for luggage, seat allocation, meals, and in-flight entertainment for those familiar with the budget airline carrier.

Therefore, I knew that if I could travel to Malaysia with only a 7kg travel bag, I would save around AUD$150 over the five flights. It’s quite a substantial saving, and money is better spent on other things, like more travel adventures.

What is the best advice for packing a 7kg carry-on luggage when it’s your only bag for air travel?

As you’ll see further into the article, I found the challenge relatively straightforward. I thank my lucky stars for making Malaysia a hot country and allowing me to travel light.

How to pack 7kg carry-on Luggage for air travel.

The best advice on How to pack 7kg Carry On Luggage When It’s Your Only Bag For Air Travel

Below is general advice on packing hand luggage for air travel; if you have any other advice, I’d love to hear from you in the comments below.

Purchase an ultralight Backpack.

An ultralight backpack becomes an indispensable companion if you are concerned about weight limits during air travel. The bag aims to be as lightweight as possible to accommodate all your travel necessities without surpassing the airline’s weight restrictions.

My backpack for my trip to Malaysia weighed less than 1kg, allowing me to quickly pack my essential items, such as a laptop, a camera with multiple lenses, and various clothing.

Pack the essentials only in your hand-carry bag.

You must make sacrifices when your luggage is limited to just 7kg. As much as I would have loved to bring along more items for my trip to Malaysia, it simply wasn’t possible on this occasion.

When preparing your packing list for a backpacking adventure, it’s essential to carefully review the list and omit any items that you can do without, even if they’re hard to part with. Once you’ve packed all the essential items, it’s worth weighing your bag. You might be pleasantly surprised to find that there’s still room for a few extra items.

Wear your heavier clothing on the flight and limit luggage size.

When you’re getting your cabin luggage ready, consider dressing in your bulkier clothing items for the flight to help reduce the size of your carry-on bag. This includes wearing long pants, a cozy jumper, a jacket, and multiple t-shirts. By wearing these items, you can free up space in your 7kg travel bag for other essentials.

A backpack can be practical if you’re travelling to a warmer destination. You can comfortably wear thicker clothing during the flights and quickly change into lighter attire once you reach your destination.

Have the essentials ready for carry-on baggage.

Stuff your pockets

When travelling overseas, it’s important to note that airline staff typically don’t weigh passengers during check-in. This presents an opportunity to carry additional items without detection, allowing you to evade weight restrictions to a small extent.

It’s advisable to don a jacket with zippered pockets and trousers with ample, secure pocket space to accommodate and conceal smaller items.

Don’t exceed 100ml containers with liquid products.

When preparing for air travel, it’s essential to remember that any liquid items you plan to bring, such as shampoo, conditioner, body wash, and toothpaste, must be contained in receptacles holding no more than 100ml. Failure to meet this requirement will result in these items being confiscated during security checks.

It’s also prudent to prioritize lightweight options for these items, as the aim is to reduce the contents of your carry-on bag. This can help make your travel experience smoother and more convenient.

Purchase a digital luggage scaler.

My digital luggage scale has become an essential asset for my travels. It is invaluable for weighing my bulky suitcases before a flight and ensuring that my carry-on luggage meets weight restrictions.

Although I didn’t have the scale with me during my trip to Malaysia, I took the time to weigh my backpack at home before departure. This allowed me to meticulously manage its weight and avoid packing unnecessary items, guaranteeing a hassle-free journey with consistent luggage weight.

Don’t exceed the limit allocation (Whatever you do)

Whatever you do, don’t exceed the limit, and while some airlines may be lenient if they are a little over the restriction, Some Airlines won’t, and unwanted fees could be charged to you. If you exceed the 7kg carry-on baggage limits by a kilo or two, expect the airline fees to be substantial; they’re often strict regarding the weight allowance.

The best practice is to avoid the situation and pack intelligently and tightly. Therefore, you’re not creeping over the weight restrictions; you’re travelling the skies with a single backpack and saving quite a few dollars. All in all, there are a lot of positives, and it makes for quick clearance at customs checkpoints when you don’t have to wait at the conveyor belt for luggage.

The Lightest Carry Backpack for Air Travel

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It’s important to note that the links provided are part of the Amazon Affiliate Program. If you purchase through the link, I may receive a small commission at no additional cost. Your support is greatly appreciated and helps me continue to provide you with the best recommendations. Happy travels, and thank you for supporting my work!

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