The most practical carry-on for a Falklands or South Atlantic expedition is light before packing, easy to handle through airports and ships, and sized to the strictest airline in your itinerary. For land-based island hopping, soft-sided luggage is usually easier to manage than a bulky rigid case.
International carry-on and FIGAS are different
Your international airline sets cabin dimensions and weight. FIGAS instead publishes a 20 kg visitor baggage allowance and operates small aircraft where weight planning matters. Meeting one rule does not automatically satisfy the other.
Features worth paying for
- Low empty weight
- Strong handles from more than one side
- Weather-resistant fabric and protected zippers
- Compression straps
- Simple shape that packs efficiently
- Distinctive identification tag
Protect essentials
Keep medication, documents, one warm layer and essential electronics accessible during international travel. On expedition ships, follow the operator’s luggage-transfer instructions rather than assuming your main bag stays with you through embarkation.
Carry-on rules and FIGAS are separate
Your international airline’s cabin dimensions do not automatically apply to FIGAS. Inter-island aircraft are small and weight distribution matters operationally. Keep essential medication, documents and fragile electronics organized so they can be separated if requested, declare baggage accurately and avoid choosing a carry-on whose empty structure wastes several kilograms of your trip allowance.
