Anyone who has flown will know how strict airlines can be when it comes to luggage, with some holding a card machine at the gate ready to charge those whose luggage doesn’t meet the size requirements. However, there’s a nifty hack that can get you extra plane luggage for as little as £2, but it comes at a risk.

All airlines allow passengers to take one piece of hand luggage on board for free, with budget airlines like Ryanair and easyJet stating that it must fit under the seat in front. Other airlines may permit a cabin bag onboard for free, while others allow a cabin bag in addition to one small bag, but more often or not, travellers are banking on that one free piece of hand luggage.

Of course, additional luggage is allowed on all flights, but it comes at an extra cost. Some airlines can charge more than £50 to take a cabin bag onboard, while a checked-in bag can cost more than £100.

With a premium to pay on luggage, along with soaring flight prices, it’s no wonder that holidaymakers are attempting to pack their items into one hand luggage bag for their weekend getaway. While many have mastered this with savvy-sized bags, it’s not always easy.

In a bid to bring extra luggage on board the plane and avoid the surcharge from airlines, travellers have discovered a nifty hack. And all it takes is a reusable shopping bag.

After going through airport security, there are several shops to browse while waiting for the gate to appear, including WHSmiths and Boots. While you might not need to purchase anything from these stores, it’s worth picking up the cheapest bottle of water for under £2 or even a pack of chewing gum for £1.50 and purchasing one of their shopping bags.

In a sneaky, yet inventive idea, holidaymakers have been using this plastic or reusable bag to pack more of their luggage, allowing them to take on board one piece of hand luggage and an additional shopping bag. Most airlines allow a piece of hand luggage, plus a shopping bag, so if you don’t need to make any significant airport purchases, this is a good way to maximise that benefit.

All it takes is buying the shopping bag at the airport and then repacking some of your items into that bag, which perhaps were overflowing in your hand luggage, and wouldn’t have made it past the airlines at boarding. It also works well if you have extra items like headphones, an iPad, a bottle of water or extra layers that don’t quite fit into your hand luggage bag.

Additionally, you could be extra savvy and take your own reusable shopping bag to the airport, packing it with more of your luggage, as long as it’s the same brand that is available at the airport you’re flying from. However, it could be a risky game.

Different airlines have different rules regarding shopping bags on board; some require them to fit under the seat in front, while others allow them to be stored in the overhead storage. So be sure to check the airlines’ restrictions before flying, and see if an additional shopping bag is allowed on board for free.

It’s also worth noting that in the UK, duty-free shopping bags must be sealed in a tamper-evident security bag by the retailer and should not be opened before reaching your final destination to avoid issues with security. Liquids, cosmetics, and electronics must be sealed in these special bags. If the seal is broken, you may need additional screening or your items may be confiscated. You must present the bag at security for inspection. 

Not to mention that some airlines may be wary of your ‘extra’ bag at the boarding gates, which could see you hit with a surprising charge for an extra bag at the gate. With Ryanair, those fees can stretch to £60 per bag. Don’t say we didn’t warn you.