Check-in Luggage Guide

Check-in luggage, also known as hold luggage, travels in the aircraft hold and gives you considerably more packing space than cabin luggage.

It’s a practical choice for longer holidays, family trips, winter breaks and journeys where you need more room for clothing, shoes and travel essentials.

Check-in suitcases come in different sizes, from medium cases for shorter holidays to large and extra large luggage for longer trips. If you’re unsure which size you need, our Suitcase Size Guide compares suitcase dimensions, capacities and typical trip lengths.

This guide explains the different types and sizes of Check-in luggage, who they suit, what you can fit inside and how to choose the right suitcase for your journey.
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Shop Check In
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What Is Check In Luggage?

Check-in luggage refers to suitcases and larger travel bags that are handed over before your flight and travel in the aircraft hold rather than the cabin.

 

It gives you considerably more packing space than cabin or underseat luggage, making room for:

  • Larger quantities of clothing
  • Additional shoes and accessories
  • Bulkier items such as coats and knitwear
  • Full-size toiletries and liquids, subject to baggage restrictions
  • Items you won’t need access to during the flight

Check-in luggage is commonly used for longer holidays, family trips, winter breaks and journeys where a smaller cabin case doesn’t provide enough space.

 

It isn’t limited to traditional suitcases either. Hard shell and softside suitcases, wheeled duffles and larger travel bags can all be used as Check-in luggage, providing they meet your airline’s requirements.

 

Remember that some items are restricted or prohibited in hold luggage. Read our What Can't You Take on a Plane? - Baggage Rules Explained blog before packing if you’re unsure what can travel in your suitcase.

 

For airline-specific size and weight allowances, see our Airline Check-in Regulations Guide.
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Who Is Check In Luggage Best For?

Check-in luggage can be a practical choice if you:

  • Are travelling for a week or longer
  • Need space for coats, boots or bulkier clothing
  • Want to pack full-size toiletries
  • Are travelling with family or sharing a suitcase
  • Need more clothing or footwear than cabin luggage can comfortably hold
  • Are travelling for a wedding, special occasion or trip that needs more outfit choices

It can also suit shorter trips where your destination or plans mean you simply need more space, such as a winter break with heavier layers.

 

Check-in luggage is also useful if you’d rather travel through the airport with less to carry, leaving only your essentials in a smaller cabin or underseat bag during the flight.
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When Check-In Luggage Works Better Than Cabin

Check-in luggage can make more sense than cabin luggage when:

  • You need more packing space than your cabin allowance provides
  • You’re travelling for a longer holiday
  • You need to pack coats, boots or bulkier clothing
  • You want to take full-size toiletries and liquids permitted in hold luggage
  • You’re travelling with family or sharing a suitcase
  • Your trip involves several outfits, shoes or special-occasion clothing

Cabin luggage can be more convenient for shorter trips when you can comfortably fit everything you need into a smaller case.

 

You don’t necessarily have to choose between the two. For longer journeys, many travellers use a cabin case alongside their Check-in suitcase. Keep valuables, tech, travel documents and in-flight essentials with you, while clothing and bulkier items travel in the hold.

Case insight: Trip length is only part of the decision. Destination, season and what you need to pack can matter just as much. A short winter break with boots and heavy layers may need more luggage space than a longer warm-weather holiday.

If you’re deciding between the two, our Cabin Luggage Guide explains when a smaller cabin case may be enough for your trip.
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Types of Check In Luggage

Check-in luggage comes in several styles, and the right choice depends on what you’re packing, how often you travel and how much structure or flexibility you prefer.

Hard Shell Check In Suitcases

Soft Shell Check In Suitcases

Expandable Check In Cases

Travel Duffles and Wheeled Duffles

Hard shell suitcases have a structured exterior that helps protect your belongings during baggage handling.

 

 They’re commonly made from materials such as polycarbonate or polypropylene and are easy to wipe clean after a journey.

 

They work particularly well if you travel frequently, want a suitcase that keeps its shape or regularly pack items that need a little more protection.

Softside suitcases offer a more flexible packing layout and often include external pockets for items you want to access before checking your bag in.

 

They can be useful if you prefer a lighter or less rigid case, or want more flexibility when packing clothing and softer items.

 

Not sure which style suits you? Our Choosing the Perfect Case for You: Softside or Hardside? blog compares the two in more detail.

Expandable suitcases give you additional packing space when you need it, making them particularly useful for longer holidays or trips where you expect to bring more home than you took away.

 

Unlike cabin luggage, you don’t have an overhead locker to consider, but airline size and weight limits still apply. 

 

Extra space can make it surprisingly easy to exceed your weight allowance.

Duffles offer a softer and more flexible alternative to a traditional Check-in suitcase. Some have wheels and telescopic handles, while others can be carried using handles or shoulder straps.

 

They work particularly well for activity-based holidays, road trips and journeys where a rigid suitcase isn’t the most practical option.

If you’re considering this style of luggage, our Duffle & Holdall Guide explains the different options and what to look for.

Case insight: When choosing a hard shell Check-in case, look beyond the shell material. Wheel quality, handles, zips or frame closures and the overall weight of the suitcase all matter when you’re travelling with a larger case.

Case insight: External pockets are useful, but remember that filling them changes the overall depth of the suitcase. Check the packed dimensions if your airline has a maximum luggage size.

Case insight: Treat expansion as flexibility rather than an invitation to fill every centimetre. Weigh your suitcase once packed, particularly before the return journey.

Case insight: Think about how you’ll move your bag once you arrive. A large duffle can hold plenty, but a wheeled version may be much easier to manage through a large airport or on a longer journey.

Antler

66cm Expandable Spinner Suitcase - Icon Stripe

Bric's

71cm Lightweight Trolley Suitcase - X Travel

Samsonite Luggage

81cm Expandable Spinner Suitcase - Paralux

Samsonite Luggage

79cm 2 Wheel Duffle - Ecodiver
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Check In Luggage for Different Types of Travellers

The right Check-in suitcase depends on more than how long you’re away. 

Your destination, season, packing style and who you’re travelling with can all affect the size and features you need.

Long Haul Holiday Travellers

For longer holidays, a large or extra large Check-in suitcase gives you more flexibility for clothing, footwear and everything you’ll need while you’re away.

 

Look for:

  • Generous packing capacity
  • Lightweight but durable construction
  • Smooth four-wheel movement
  • Strong handles and wheel systems
  • Secure locking
  • Good internal compression and organisation

Best for: long-haul holidays, extended stays and multi-destination travel.

Need more room for a longer trip? Explore our Large Suitcases and Extra Large Suitcases collections.

Case insight: With larger suitcases, capacity and weight need to work together. A lightweight case leaves more of your airline allowance available for your belongings, while good wheels make a fully packed suitcase much easier to move through the airport.

Samsonite Luggage
81cm Spinner Suitcase - C-Lite

Family Travellers

Bric's
76cm Spinner Suitcase - Bellagio 3

Check-in luggage can make family packing much easier, whether you’re sharing a suitcase or packing separately for adults and children.

Look for:

  • Generous capacity
  • Strong zips or closures
  • Durable construction
  • Smooth four-wheel movement
  • Internal dividers and compression
  • Expandability where useful

Best for: family holidays, shared packing and longer stays.

Case insight: One larger suitcase can make shared packing easier, but always consider your airline’s individual bag weight limit. A very large case is easy to overpack, and splitting belongings between two cases may sometimes be more practical.

Winter and Multi Climate Travellers

Coats, boots, knitwear and layers take up considerably more room than warm-weather clothing, so the destination can matter just as much as the length of your trip.

Look for:

  • Generous internal capacity
  • Strong compression
  • Expandability where useful
  • Durable materials
  • Good organisation for separating clothing and footwear

Best for: winter holidays, ski trips and journeys that take you between different climates.

Case insight: Winter packing can fill a suitcase surprisingly quickly. Compression can help organise bulky clothing, but keep an eye on weight as well as space. A case can reach its airline weight limit before it looks completely full.

Samsonite Luggage
79cm 2 Wheel Duffle - Ecodiver

Frequent Flyers

Briggs & Riley Luggage
Extra Large Expandable Spinner Suitcase - Baseline 2

If you regularly travel with Check-in luggage, durability, weight and handling become particularly important.

Look for:

  • Lightweight construction
  • Durable shell or fabric
  • Reliable zips or frame closures
  • High-quality wheels
  • A stable telescopic handle
  • Secure locking

Best for: regular international travel, frequent holidays and business trips where Check-in luggage is needed.

If durability is high on your list, our Aluminium vs Polycarbonate Luggage: Which Material Lasts Longer? blog takes a closer look at two premium suitcase materials.

Case insight: Frequent travellers often benefit from choosing a suitcase that balances durability with low weight. Smooth wheels and a stable handle become especially noticeable when you’re regularly moving a fully packed case through large airports.

Special Occasion or Event Travellers

Weddings, formal events and celebrations often mean travelling with more clothing, additional shoes and outfits that need a little more care in transit.

Look for:

  • Structured internal compartments
  • Garment panels or hanger features
  • Good compression
  • Space for additional footwear
  • A structured shell or exterior
  • Organisation for accessories and smaller items

Best for: destination weddings, formal events, celebrations and trips where you need several outfits.

Travelling with formal clothing? Read our Garment Bags for Business Trips and Weddings. What Actually Works blog for more advice on keeping occasionwear organised in transit.

Case insight: When travelling with suits, dresses or occasionwear, internal organisation can be just as important as suitcase capacity. Keeping garments separated from shoes and toiletries can make unpacking much easier when you arrive.

Delsey
82cm Spinner Suitcase - Chatelet Air 2.0

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What Fits Inside a Check In Suitcase?

Packing capacity varies considerably depending on whether you choose a medium, large or extra large suitcase.

A typical Check-in suitcase can give you room for:

  • Clothing for a week or longer
  • Several pairs of shoes
  • Coats, knitwear and bulkier layers
  • Full-size toiletries and permitted liquids
  • Hair tools and personal items
  • Packing cubes and laundry bags
  • Additional outfits and accessories

Larger cases can be particularly useful for winter holidays, family travel and multi-destination trips where you need clothing for different climates or occasions.

Packing cubes, shoe bags and organisers can help divide a larger suitcase into manageable sections. 

 

Explore our Packing Accessories for useful ways to organise your Check-in luggage.

Case insight: Extra capacity is useful, but a larger suitcase can reach your airline’s weight limit before it’s completely full. Pack with your weight allowance in mind rather than assuming every available space needs to be used.
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Choosing the Right Check In Luggage

When choosing Check-in luggage, think about your destination, trip length and packing style rather than simply buying the largest suitcase available.

 

Size and Airline Limits

Start by checking the size and weight allowance included with your airline and fare.

Medium, large and extra large suitcases offer very different capacities, so choose a size that gives you enough room without encouraging you to overpack.

See our Airline Check-in Regulations Guide for airline-specific baggage allowances.

 

Weight

The weight of the empty suitcase matters because it forms part of your overall baggage weight.

A lighter suitcase leaves more of your allowance available for clothing and other belongings.

 

Material

Hard shell luggage offers a structured exterior and added protection, while softside luggage gives you greater flexibility and often includes external pockets.

If you’re comparing premium suitcase materials, read our Aluminium vs Polycarbonate Luggage: Which Material Lasts Longer? blog.

 

Wheels and Handling

Four-wheel spinners are easy to manoeuvre alongside you through airports, while two-wheel luggage can work well if you prefer to pull your case behind you.

With larger Check-in luggage, pay particular attention to wheel quality and handle stability. A fully packed case can be considerably heavier than a cabin suitcase.

 

Organisation

Useful features can include:

  • Compression straps or panels
  • Divided packing compartments
  • Zipped pockets
  • Shoe or laundry sections
  • Garment panels
  • Expandable sections

Good organisation can make a large suitcase much easier to pack and unpack.

 

Security

A built-in lock can add convenience when travelling. TSA-compatible locks are particularly useful for journeys where security authorities may need to inspect luggage using an approved master key system.

 

Our TSA Locks vs Non-TSA Locks: Do You Really Need Them? blog explains the differences in more detail.

Case insight: Don’t judge a Check-in suitcase on capacity alone. Weight, wheels, handles, organisation and durability all become more important when you’re travelling with a larger, fully packed case.
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How to Measure Check In Luggage

Measure your suitcase at its maximum external points:

  • Height, including wheels and fixed handles
  • Width at the widest point
  • Depth, including filled front pockets or expansion sections

Some airlines express their maximum suitcase size as total linear dimensions. To calculate this, simply add:

Height + Width + Depth

For example, a suitcase measuring 75 x 50 x 30cm has total linear dimensions of 155cm.

 

You may see 158cm used as a common maximum total dimension for Check-in luggage, but this isn’t a universal rule. Limits vary between airlines, routes and fares.

 

Airlines use the external dimensions of your suitcase rather than its internal capacity, so always compare the complete packed size with the allowance for your journey.

Case insight: If you’re using an expandable suitcase, measure it after opening the expansion section. The extra depth changes the total external dimensions of the case.

For airline-specific size and weight limits, see our Airline Check-in Regulations Guide.

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Common Mistakes When Choosing Check-In Luggage

Choosing the right Check-in suitcase isn’t simply about finding the biggest case.

 

One common mistake is choosing a suitcase that’s already heavy before you start packing. A heavier case leaves less of your airline weight allowance available for your belongings.

 

Another is assuming Check-in luggage is automatically included with your ticket. Baggage allowances depend on the airline and fare, so check what you’ve booked before travelling.

 

Overfilling expandable luggage can cause problems too. Extra capacity makes it easy to add more, but your airline’s size and weight restrictions still apply.

 

It’s also easy to assume that larger always means better. A well-designed medium or large suitcase may be much easier to manage than an extra large case you don’t actually need.

Case insight: With Check-in luggage, weight can become a problem before space does. Think about how much you genuinely need to pack and leave yourself some allowance for the return journey.
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Is Check In Luggage Right for You?

Check-in luggage is a great choice when you need more packing space than cabin luggage can provide.

 

It works particularly well for longer holidays, family travel, winter breaks, special occasions and trips where you need clothing for different climates or activities.

Your trip length doesn’t tell the whole story. A medium suitcase may be plenty for a week away, while a shorter winter or special-occasion trip could require a larger case.

 

If you’re travelling light, taking a short break or want to move through the airport without waiting at baggage reclaim, cabin or underseat luggage may suit you better.

 

Not sure which Check-in size you need? Our Suitcase Size Guide compares medium, large and extra large luggage by dimensions, capacity and typical trip length.
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FAQ's About Check-in Luggage

What is the standard weight limit for Check-in luggage?

There is no universal weight limit for Check-in luggage. A 23kg allowance is common on many economy fares, but allowances vary by airline, route and ticket type.

Always check your booking before you pack. Our Airline Check-in Regulations Guide can help you compare baggage allowances across different airlines.

What is the 158cm rule for Check-in luggage?

The 158cm rule refers to a commonly used maximum total size for Check-in luggage.

To calculate the total linear dimensions of your suitcase, add its external height, width and depth, including wheels and fixed handles.

For example:

75cm + 50cm + 33cm = 158cm

However, 158cm isn’t a universal airline limit. Maximum dimensions can vary by airline, route and fare, so always check the allowance for your journey.

Is there a maximum weight airlines will accept?

Many airlines apply a maximum weight for an individual piece of luggage, with 32kg commonly used as an upper limit for handling and safety reasons.

This isn’t a universal allowance. Your actual baggage allowance may be considerably lower, so always check your airline’s rules before travelling.

Can I lock my Check-in suitcase?

Yes. Many Check-in suitcases include built-in combination or TSA-compatible locks.

 

A TSA-compatible lock can be particularly useful when travelling to destinations where security authorities may need to inspect your luggage using an approved system.

 

Read our TSA Locks vs Non-TSA Locks: Do You Really Need Them? blog for a closer look at the differences.

Can I pack liquids over 100ml in Check-in luggage?

Many full-size liquids and toiletries over 100ml can be packed in Check-in luggage, provided they are permitted in hold baggage and packed securely.

Restrictions still apply to certain liquids and other items, so check the rules for anything you’re unsure about before travelling.

What happens if my Check-in bag is overweight?

If your suitcase exceeds your airline’s weight allowance, you may have to pay an excess baggage charge, redistribute some items or make other arrangements before the bag is accepted.

Fees and procedures vary between airlines.

Do all tickets include Check-in luggage?

No. Check-in luggage isn’t included with every ticket. What you receive depends on the airline, route and fare you book, and you may need to purchase a Check-in allowance separately.
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Discover More

Continue planning your journey:

 

Suitcase Size Guide
Compare cabin, medium and large suitcase sizes before travelling.

 

Airline Regulations
Understand baggage rules across different airlines.

 

Luggage Care & Maintenance
Get tips to keep your suitcase performing trip after trip.

 

Register Your Bag
Register your product for warranty and support.


Explore spacious, durable suitcases built for longer journeys. Shop at Case.