Delayed bags and small bag for under the seat

Our carry on/ personal item is either a backpack ( book bag size) or a flight bag type bag that slips over handles of bigger checked or roll aboard bag

We travel a LOT in US and usually twice a year to Europe
I always pack a change of unders, a top ( long sleeve or short sleeve depends on what I wear on the plane) sweater or light jacket and a toothbrush/paste and stick deodorant in whatever carry on we bring.
Of course we always carry all meds, cords, important things
That’s all I figure we need if luggage is delayed
I wouldn’t want to be saddled with another “suitcase” especially if traveling by train.
If the delay is any longer than a day or 2 you can always shop for what you need
Has never happened to us going to Europe but have had delays in US some years ago.

A few years ago my daughters luggage didn’t get there with her which was weird as it was a nonstop to Rome and she was thrilled she could go shop for a few things. Luggage arrived late on second day-so if that had been me I wouldn’t have bothered shopping if needed to but whatever!

Something like this should be big enough for all essentials and a few pieces of clothing-
https://store.ricksteves.com/shop/p/flight-bag

I can't manage to fit everything I need for a long trip into a carry-on bag, so my airplane bag is a packable tote that, itself, weighs very little. It holds all medications, a change of clothes, electronic gear, etc. The tote doesn't have a trolley sleeve, so it's not so great balancing it on my checked bag on the way to and from airports, but once at my destination airport, I can move most if not all the contents into my suitcase, so the tote isn't that much of a burden. I do use it during the trip on days when I change hotels and want to have my pills, electronic gear and perhaps lunch with me, at my seat on the train or bus.

My bags have been delayed twice on trips to italy, the first being when I had a connection through CDG many many years ago and I didn’t know my bag was not checked all the way through. My bag never left France but was delivered to my hotel the following day. The second time was due to a luggage strike in Rome so it was delayed a day or two.
Ever since I bring a change of clothes, and the other items outlined in responses above in a carry on. I do not bring a suitcase for all of these essentials either, but a smaller bag.

Good for you for thinking of this in advance. I hope your checked bags arrive without delay. Please report back to let us know how your trip is!

For the first time in about 30 trips to Europe, we finally had an issue last month. We only had a 45 minute connection in AMS (Delta's fault, a schedule change). Knowing we needed to be agile yet prepared, we each carried on a large backpack stuffed with pajamas, medications, and any other irreplaceable essentials.

We ran and made the connection to Catania, but our bags did not. There wasn't another Transavia flight to Sicily for three days. Our bags came then, but in the meantime, Transavia told us to buy whatever we needed within reason, with a suggested cap of 60 Euros/person/day. So for 360 Euros in Sicily, we made out like bandits! All new toiletries, several athleisure outfits, and new flat iron, with money to spare. We submitted the receipts to Transavia online, had approval within an hour, and received a wire transfer within a week. It all worked out for us!

Hi Sheila, i just purchased the Sherpani Camden, and it arrived today. I’m using it as my personal item, and it fits within the personal item requirements for Easy Jet. It has handles, backpack straps and an attachable strap to turn it into a crossbody hold. My carry on luggage this time is a backpack, so I’m using this bag at my feet for the plane to hold my purse and a few items. I’ll just carry it with the crossbody strap. I like the exterior and interior zipped pockets, water bottle holder and interior sleeve for my iPad. I bought the black with the Pacific blue accents.

On our recent rebooked on IcelandAir flight, the under seat backpack my wife had wouldn’t fit under her center seat because on whichever aircraft it was, had the entertainment equipment under the center seat in every row. So whatever you buy, ensure it can be squashed down. We were lucky and there was still overhead space we could use.

For under the seat, I think it's especially important to make sure whatever you have is soft bodied so it can squish depending on the space you have available. I have flown TAP, which has pretty restrictive size limits, and used a backpack as my carry on and a tote bag similar to a gym bag as my personal item. The tote fit easily under the seat and had all my most important items just in case they made me check my backpack. It actually held quite a bit. I'd make sure your personal item has at least one change of clothes in case they make you check your carry on and it gets lost.

Have an amazing trip!

If each of you is checking a bag, split your clothes between the bags. Each of you pack half of your clothes in each bag. If one bag gets lost/delayed, you still have half your wardrobe.

If you are each checking a bag and each bringing a carryon bag, consider how you will handle a third bag. A tote or backpack with a trolley sleeve may be easier.

You can buy both back packs and foldable totes with trolley sleeves to make it easier at your final destination. I personally never check bags on the way over. Never want to waste precious travel time shopping!

Thank you all! I bought a Samsonite under the seat bag for personal items that we can't check. It's perfect! I think we should have enough room in our regular carry-on for extra clothing etc, should our bag get delayed. Don't want to jinx it--just be prudent.
You folks are the best! Leave next Sun for Florence.--can't wait! Last trip was 20 years ago. Not sure why we waited so long!