I flew with Easy Jet, it's my 3rd trip with them this year. I went to Belfast for 5 days and Munich for a week.
Easy Jet are strict on the hand luggage allowance and actually I don't blame them. There's no weight limit, other than you need to be able to lift your bag by yourself into the locker. There's a size limit, but my trusty Cabin Zero bag meets all airline requirements for size and is strong and sturdy and can cope with 17kg. It's about as much as I can manage to lift and carry on my back.
On a trip with them last year, to Belfast, I was asked/told to put my purse and book back inside my hand luggage before I boarded the plane as everything had to fit and be inside the one bag. This also includes any additional purchases at Duty Free. This year on the same route to Belfast I walked through, ready to plead my case, with a box with fresh cut flowers my son had sent me for my birthday.
5 days with hand luggage, only as long as the weather is warm is doable, longer trips require a bit more space and if I had to fly during cold and wet weather, I'd probably book a suitcase for the extra clothes needed. But on a trip to Munich last month, I discovered a handy little tip, that saved me money and time.
I paid the extra £12.50 each way choosing my seat, for speedy boarding and it allows me to take my handbag on separately which enabled me to carry my laptop, book and purse separate from my luggage and I can pop my toiletry bag in their without having to open my hand luggage saving me time and hassle at security.
This trip to Greece I've done the same, it was £19 extra each way. Seats are allocated on Easy Jet flights, even if you don't pay to choose one, which starts from £5.99. I wouldn't pay to book a seat if I didn't need the extra bag and when Peter and I have flown with them, we've been seated together anyway.
Being able to get on the plane first, take the extra bag and being able to exit quickly without the risk on a full flight as well as getting served first during the flight is worth the extra cost to me, especially if I was travelling with a young family.
As for what I pack and how I pack, I roll clothing after selecting what I want to take and pack in order as well as teaming up 3 tops with one pair of shorts/trousers and wearing my heavier and bulky clothing and shoes on the flight. I also pack the heavier items throughout the backpack to even the weight out and make sure I leave some space to bring back souvenirs.
This is the first holiday I've bought myself a bikini, I'm not convinced it will stay in place though.
