lond distance plane journey

i went on the virgin website. For economy to inda it seems you may be able to take two suitcases in the hold.

www.virginatlantic.com/gb/en/travel-information/baggage-allowance/check-in-baggage.html
it said economy one bag but then

Exceptions
On flights to and from the UK to India, flights from the US & Canada to India, flights from the US to South Africa and flights from the UK & US to Lagos the allowance is two bags.

The economy hand luggage that goes in the cabin is quite good too.

www.virginatlantic.com/gb/en/travel-information/baggage-allowance/hand-baggage.html

Economy,

Number of itemsOne
Maximum size23 x 36 x 56cm (that's approx. 9 x 14 x 22 inches)
Maximum weight10kg (22lb)

Please note that a garment bag cannot be used as your hand baggage unless it fits the dimensions of the hand baggage allowance. If you’d like to bring one but it exceeds 23 x 36 x 56 cm, it will need to be as additional checked in baggage.

If you want to take your laptop on board, you'll need to place it in your original hand baggage or check your hand baggage in.

You must be able to place your hand baggage in the overhead bins unaided.

We do that, in fact I have three different coloured ribbons on the handle of mine.

Tie a bright ribbon on a black case, for identification.

Take photographs of your cases. After a long haul flight it is almost impossible to remember what your cases look like if you have to fill in a 'missing luggage' form. Returning from Beijing I always have a very tight connection in Amsterdam and my cases rarely come with me on the last leg.

I came to grief last time we flew out of Leeds Bradford, Cherrytree. I always buy my dry shampoo, suncream, etc, at Boots there after going through security. This time I just came up short against a boarded up shop front and a sign saying they were remodelling the shop. My face just looked like

Cherrytree59

Also consider leaving any excess when departing for home. We leave toiletries, travel guides and planners, extra clothing, worn trainers, etc. freeing luggage space for trinkets and treasures.

If you are short on luggage weight buy toiletries at the airport.

I save my Boots advantage card points and use for small makeup items to carry on.

Suntan cream/aftesun weighs heavy in the suitcase, so.I have in the past bought it from Boots at the airport.
Also bottled water etc.

I wouldn't do this If flight changes were involved.

Also, nail clippers are good for cutting yarn or the circular device with a recessed blade.

It's also a good idea, if you are taking something like knitting needles or a crochet hook, to print out the section of the airline website where it says you can take them. Some airport staff don't know their own rules so you can show them the relevant information.

I'm surprised knitting needles are allowed. I've had a pair of tweezers confiscated and the gov.uk site says they're allowed. It's probably best to check with the airline - it's going to be their staff having the final say at the airport, not Theresa May

I may have missed it, but I don't think anyone's mentioned that all liquids and gels that are not packed in your hold luggage have to be placed in a one litre, clear, resealable plastic bag and left out until you've gone through security. This includes things like daily contact lenses (which are packaged in their own liquid), toothpaste, face creams, aerosols and lipsticks. The maximum for each is 100ml.

I've never taken knitting needles - I didn't know they were allowed!
I thought bamboo or wooden ones might be allowed but I've never risked it.
Best to check with the airline though.

Oh, don't forget that in some countries you are not allowed in with food, or plants, or medicines unless you have declared what you have. Don't forget as you can get thrown off the flight if you try to cheat. Australia is really keen on that, not sure about India because I have never been.

A change of underwear was one thing I took on the way to Australia. Toothbrush and tiny tube of paste as well. Plus a proper pillow not one of those travel ones as they are useless. You can always use a cheap one and buy another for coming back.

I would think a sharp knitting needle could do as much damage as a spike or knife. Strange.

I have however sat sewing on an aeroplane. I used to be nervous of flying and that used to calm me down, but one day we went to the Silly Isles in a helicopter. Believe me if you can do that you can fly in an aeroplane. It is so noisy and everything rattles.

I don't know about a tablet on the aeroplane but it is certainly great for passing the time when waiting for your flight. A pack of cards made all the difference to us on one trip.

As every other poster has said. Check with your airline. In general however, it is usual to switch off/or divert to airplane mode until it is safe to do otherwise. The Cabin Crew are there to advise you.
As a digression, I recently looked up the Gov.uk website where it lists items you can take on board. I was thrilled but very surprised to find that you can take knitting needles onboard! I would have thought a pair knitting needles could do as much damage as a pair of scissors, if not more, in the wrong hands! I have tested the theory several times and to date no-one has stopped me from boarding with my "offensive weapons"!! Bizzare!

I think some short haul airlines don't allow both but I have never known it on long-haul (and am amazed at some of the rather large 'hand luggage' I have seen when in transit.

The last couple of flights I've been on you are not allowed a handbag as well as hand luggage. Either check with your holiday company, or look it up on line, as different airlines differ.

Ah yes, clean knickers and a clean top as I usually spill something down me (it's a bit of a tight squeeze dining en route!).
And I take facial moisturiser (your skin seems to dry out), just a tiny one and toothbrush and toothpaste; some airlines provide them, others don't.

Be aware for longer journeys: We had a stopover in Singapore en route to NZ & Emirates booked us on a partner airline which had different allowances. They changed again on the small plane from Auckland to Nelson. If we'd booked straight through the allowance would have stayed the same. We managed but it was a challenge.

Travelsafar
Your business and your reason but why do you need to keep in touch with your family and friends on the ground that you have just left behind and you are high up in the clouds and can do 'nowt about owt' Flying can at the best of times be stressfull without the knowledge of some news that one of your nearest and dearest thinks you should know about.

Also I would suggest trying to get an isle seat. I flew to Mumbai in between an old Indian lady who slept all the way and an Indian dad on the other side with a large baby who seemed to be sticking his arms and legs into me all the time. Coming back I made sure Igor an isle seat so I could go to the loo when I needed. But it was well worth the journey - amazing country!

Google it.

Long haul flights are usually more generous than European flights.

Take your own larger headphones for a 9hr flight. Ear buds make your ears ache after a while. And toothbrush/ paste as well as clean underwear

I have a small light case on wheels which I use as 'hand luggage'- last time we travelled with Qantas, and their limit is 7kg. Everything I need on flight - ie book, magazine, pens, sudokus, lipstick, toothbrush, hairbrush, goes in small carrier bag inside that case and then can be whipped out quickly when you get to your seat so you don't hold everyone up. Jacket, change of shoes etc can remain in case in overhead locker. Oh and it has zipped outside pocket for passport, tickets, ipad. Wish DH would organise himself the same!!