Australia: Best Carry-on Bag < 15 lbs (7 Kilo)

[stillfabulous]

Last year I flew from LAX to SYDney on Virgin Australia in Business Class. I never check bags anymore. Typically, I roll-aboard a Tumi Ducati and use a Longchamp Les Planetes Large as my personal item.

Unlike U.S. Airlines, Australian flights have a much smaller limit on both weight and bag dimensions. Even though I was flying upfront, they wanted to check my Tumi and were even denying my Longchamp because it was too heavy. I was sobbing and refused to give up my bag -- it had major Hermes in it I knew I'd never see again!

I'm leaving on April 17th for a 3-week trip to New Zealand with a two-day stopover in Sydney. I need to buy an acceptable carry-on bag that meets these stringent requirements. Hoping someone here flies those over-water long-hauls and can suggest a super lightweight yet fashionable bag. I get two of those wheel-ons at 7 kilo each + a personal item. So now I need to buy two suitcases to carry on instead of the one Tumi carry-on they allow in the U.S. Their reason: we don't want anyone to get hurt lifting a heavier bag.

 

[stillfabulous]

Update: I took two ultra-light bags by Lipault, a French company. To save on weight, the wheeled upright bag has corner protectors on the lower two corners, but not on the top two corners. They are a delight to roll, much easier to maneuver than the Tumi I have with only two wheels. I especially like to orient the bag with the shortest side of its base headed down the airplane aisle first.

The companion bag I bought was also from Lipault. It's shaped like a duffel but when unzipped along the top, it pops open like a doctor's medical bag, so you can clearly see the contents. This bag has a horizontal strap across the back that will slip onto the extended trolly handle of the larger wheeled bag, so they move easily together without any stress or strain.

I have traveled with these bags three times now, and while I've had to make some adjustments in how I load them, I am really pleased with the ease of carrying these on. It's a breeze when compared to my former Tumi setup.

Here are some photos:
http://www.lipault-us.com/softluggage-1/upright-luggage-55-cm-22-4-wheels.html

http://www.lipault-us.com/softluggage-1/18-weekend-satchel.html