That's what problem solvers in the travel-goods industry continue to do, trimming the size and weight of suitcases to stitching up lightweight travel clothing, according to Michele Marini Pittenger, president of the Travel Goods Association, based in New Jersey.
"It's all about dodging airline fees because overweight charges of $100 make lightweight key," Marini Pittenger said. Checked-bag fees also are driving innovation in the carry-on business. "People don't want to pay to check a bag. They also want to keep it with them," she said.
So how does that translate into luggage? The large 31- and 33-inch suitcases are giving way to 24- and 26-inch cases, Marini Pittenger said. Meanwhile, 20 inches "is becoming the new normal" for carry-ons as aircraft overhead bins become smaller, she said.
Not only are suitcases becoming smaller, but designers also are tweaking construction elements by using lighter-weight materials "so it's easier to hoist over your head and into the overhead," Marini Pittenger said.
"Pretty much the lightest luggage out there right now has a hard shell. They make hard-sided luggage that you can pick up with your pinky finger it's so light," she explained, citing Antler USA as an example. Landor & Hawa offers "hard-sided luggage with gussets and expandability," she noted.
The lightening up of the travel-goods industry isn't limited to luggage, judging by the briefcases, backpacks, wallets, clothing and totes on display at the recent Travel Goods Show.
Hummingbird's E-Case line of lightweight, waterproof cases offers electronic gadgets protection while allowing users to touch and talk. And RFA Brands' Powerbag line of messenger bags, totes, backpacks and briefcases are outfitted with onboard batteries to eliminate the need to pack separate chargers and cords.
"Anything we can do as an industry to take a traveler's stress away," Marini Pittenger said, "is a good thing."
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