Business travel is great for doing new business. Many professionals often travel by plane to visit clients, hold meetings, prospect new partners or participate in training, courses, and specializations.

But a question that many corporate travelers have at these times is: what to pack in your suitcase on a corporate plane trip?

As the price of checking bags has increased considerably in recent months, some items cannot be missing from your hand luggage. In this article, we point out the most important ones! Check out the tips from the experts at ProRido, our ambassador and travel management specialist.

To embark without unforeseen events: rules and limits

Carry-on bags are the most compact and do not need to be checked, going with the passenger in the cabin of the plane, at no additional cost.

For  domestic flights, according to ANAC rules, hand luggage:

• They must measure at most: 55 x 35 x 25 cm
• Cannot exceed 10kg
• They are free, as long as they respect these two restrictions above.

For international flights, the rules are more variable. We brought an average made with the main airlines:

• The maximum dimensions vary from 115 cm to 158 cm linear (sum of height, width, and depth)
• The weight varies from 8 kg to 10 kg
• Some airlines allow you to take more than one carry-on bag, depending on the class.

You have to be careful because the companies are quite strict. Therefore, the tip is to measure and weigh the bag after it is ready.

It is also important to note that it is very common for passengers, especially on corporate trips, to carry everything they need in their hand luggage – thus streamlining the check-in and arrival process.

Personal article

In addition to a carry-on bag, every passenger is entitled to take a personal item, such as a backpack, purse, laptop bag, etc.

Regarding the personal article, the rules and guidelines are usually similar for  national and international companies :

• Generally, this item must respect the approximate dimensions of 45cm x 35cm x 20cm.
• If extrapolated, it will be considered a carry-on bag – and only one is allowed. In other words: the passenger will run the risk of needing to dispatch one at the last minute, generating unforeseen inconvenience.
• It is always recommended, and often even required, that the personal article be collapsible, that is, made of non-rigid material.

What happens if the baggage exceeds the limits?

If the baggage exceeds the indicated weight and/or dimensions, the passenger will need to pay for the excess. This could happen:

• Fixed rates calculated for each kilo exceeded, as Gol does, for example. The company charges an average of BRL 25 per extra kilo on domestic flights and around BRL 40 on international flights.
• Some airlines, such as LATAM, Copa Airlines, and Delta, charge per excess range. For example: from 23 kg to 32 kg and from 32 kg to 45 kg. The amount charged, on average, starts at $100.
• Other companies practice variable rates, that is, depending on the place of departure and arrival.

Therefore, we can conclude that it is essential to inform yourself well about the weight and dimensions of your luggage the company when purchasing your ticket. And, most importantly, remember to weigh and measure the parts at least 48 hours before boarding – enough time to resolve the issue in the best way.

Checklist: what can’t be missing in your hand luggage

In this list, specially prepared by ProRido specialists, we list the main items for you to take on your business trip so that your experience is even better.

Alcohol gel

This tip is from Fernão! After all, we are in the fourth wave of COVID-19, so the use of gel alcohol is still fundamental. According to the National Civil Aviation Agency, it is allowed to carry a maximum of 500ml in hand luggage. On international flights, you can take bottles of up to 100ml.

Clothes hair remover

Imagine that your business trip is to give a lecture or an important business meeting. However, what to do if your clothes are full of hair? 

Fernão alert: to prevent this from happening, take a hair remover with you. One of the most common models is the adhesive roller whose sheets remove the hair when you touch them to the fabric.

Power Bank

This tip is from Deborah Calazans, our Head of Customer Relationships. “ A power bank is also important on trips with a lot of commuting,” she says. Imagine running out of battery at a crucial moment in your trip.

To prevent this from happening, the power bank is a great outlet. Simpler models can be found for less than R$100 in specialized stores and on the internet.

Notebook

It is better to keep your work notebook in a carry-on bag rather than a checked bag to avoid the risk of damage. In addition, depending on the number of hours of your trip, it is also possible to work during the flight.

Stationery store

Paper and pen can help in many situations. Whether it’s a notebook or an agenda, when electronic devices fail, we can always count on the good old note on a piece of paper.

Little snack

This tip comes from our Sales Manager, Natascha Vieira, and is highly supported by our team of Key Account Managers. You can’t always count on the food offered on planes and people who eat at the airport are usually quite expensive. However, check the airline’s rules about what foods are allowed and in what amounts.

A change of clothes

Accidents happen. Imagine arriving at that important meeting with your clothes stained. A shirt change can be a reassurance that everything will go according to plan and you will make a good impression on your business!

Earphone

Some airlines provide headphones, but you may want to listen to music while waiting for your flight or listen to audio messages, without worrying about who is listening and without disturbing other people.

Medicines and hygiene items

A few basic medications like something for headaches, muscle aches, and stomach problems can save a business trip. Check airline rules and allowable quantities on the board!

In addition, women can add hygiene items to this list, to avoid unpleasant surprises during the trip.

Extra Tip: Essential apps

Of course, when traveling, you will bring your cell phone, right? Some apps are very useful when the reason for the trip is work, we separate the main ones here.

SeatGuru

This app provides a map of available seats on the planes, as well as information about amenities on each airline, so you can make sure you have a smooth and comfortable flight.

You know that trip where you couldn’t rest because your seat didn’t have legroom or there was a crying baby on board? By using SeatGuru, you can check these points before booking your flight.

TripAdvisor

Well known to regular travelers, TripAdvisor relies on user-generated tourism information. As much as a trip is for work, that doesn’t prevent you from getting to know the sights of the place, right?

By downloading the application, you will be able to check which are the most characteristic places, as well as markets, restaurants, and much more.

Beer or Coffee

Sometimes, working in the hotel is not very comfortable, as it does not have the appropriate environment as in the office. For this reason, the search for coworking spaces during business trips has grown.

Beer or Coffee is a platform where you can find hundreds of coworking spaces in the country. Just enter the city name and see what the options are.

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