Whether you’re heading for a short break, a beach escape in South-east Asia or a family trip back home, packing can be stressful. But with the right luggage, it doesn’t have to be.
Smart packing is essential, not only for convenience but also to conform to ever-changing airline regulations. Be sure to check baggage guidelines in advance, especially for cabin restrictions, weight limits and security rules.
When choosing luggage, prioritise cabin-friendly dimensions – typically around 55 x 40 x 23cm for most airlines – and opt for lightweight yet durable materials such as polycarbonate, aluminium or ballistic nylon. Smooth 360° spinner wheels, telescopic handles and internal organisation compartments are also must-haves, especially for seamless airport navigation.
Look out for features that simplify travel: expandable compartments, built-in garment sleeves, USB ports or tech organisers. Investing in a quality carry-on bag can save time and hassle and always weigh checked-in baggage before leaving for the airport to avoid surprise fees.
The best luggage blends style with practicality and the right choice can make all the difference. Here are eight pieces of luggage to consider.
Budget cabin bag: IT Luggage Lite Black Cabin
Known as the “world’s lightest soft cabin” luggage, the IT Lite Cabin bag weighs just 1.56kg but offers 39 litres of space. This Emirates-approved cabin bag is a light packer’s dream. Functionality comes in the form of smooth in-line wheels, a handy exterior pocket, a shoe pouch, a wet pouch and an expandable body which gives up to 25 per cent more space. It also comes with a five-year warranty.
Dh325.27; Amazon.ae
Premium cabin: Samsonite Proxis Global Carry-On Spinner
Samsonite’s featherlight 55cm carry-on case is built from space-tested Roxkin. At only 2.2kg, it delivers remarkable durability, dual spinner wheels for easy mobility, and expandable capacity. The eye-catching design comes in several bold colours, including green, gold and silver. It also has a 10-year warranty.
Dh2,130; Samsonite.ae
For children: Flyte Darwin the Dinosaur ride-on suitcase
This suitcase transforms into a scooter to entertain children and help them move swiftly through the airport. Featuring Darwin the Dino, it has 25 litres of interior space, LED roller wheels and a sturdy shell. Ideal for fun airport transport and adventures once you arrive at your destination.
Dh574.70; Amazon.ae
Best luggage set: Antler Single Stripe Suitcase Set
Minimalist and bold, Antler’s Single Stripe set is designed for every kind of journey, featuring three hard‑side cases in carry‑on, medium and large sizes. Lightweight yet durable, each is crafted with a recycled lining, smooth custom wheels and a stylish signature stripe. Designed to maximise space and ease, this trio is perfect for the style-conscious or families who love to match.
Dh2,825; antler.com
Luxury specialist: Tumi Alpha 3 Continental Carry‑On
Perfect for solo summer escapes or short trips, the Tumi Alpha 3 Continental Carry-On is compact, functional and effortlessly sleek. With dual front access for easy packing, a built-in USB port to stay charged on the go and a garment sleeve for keeping clothes fresh, it’s made for smooth, stylish travel. Lightweight yet ultra-durable, it’s a go-to for summer weekend getaways and spontaneous city breaks.
Dh4,460; Tumi.ae
Lifetime investment: Rimowa Original Trunk Plus
Made in Germany from anodised aluminium, the Rimowa Original Trunk Plus is designed for long-haul travel. Its distinctive vertical shape maximises interior space, while the smooth-rolling multi-wheel system and TSA-approved locks ensure seamless, secure journeys. Engineered for durability and elegance, this is an heirloom-quality investment for travellers who value craftsmanship, innovation and style. It’s now available in a striking new bronze colour.
Dh5,435; Rimowa.com
Ultra-luxury statement: Louis Vuitton Horizon 70
The Louis Vuitton Horizon 70 is the pinnacle of travel sophistication, crafted in Monogram canvas with leather trim and sleek aluminium accents. Designed in collaboration with industrial designer Marc Newson, it has a 58-litre capacity, flat-bottomed interior, dual zipped dividers and ultra-smooth double wheels. A wide aluminium trolley system ensures stability, while thoughtful extras such as a bag holder and protective cover elevate every journey.
Dh21,484; louisvuitton.com
For boutique travel: Bric’s Bellagio 21" Carry-On
Combining refined Italian craftsmanship with smart functionality, the Bric’s Bellagio 21-inch Carry-On is ideal for stylish short-haul trips. Made of recycled polycarbonate with elegant leather accents, it features a front tech sleeve with USB access, a TSA lock and an expandable zip for added capacity. Inside, a compression system keeps items in place, while 360° spinner wheels and a sturdy aluminium handle ensure smooth, effortless manoeuvring. It is compact, durable and timelessly elegant.
Dh1,652; Bric's UAE
RESULTS
Bantamweight: Victor Nunes (BRA) beat Azizbek Satibaldiev (KYG). Round 1 KO
Featherweight: Izzeddin Farhan (JOR) beat Ozodbek Azimov (UZB). Round 1 rear naked choke
Middleweight: Zaakir Badat (RSA) beat Ercin Sirin (TUR). Round 1 triangle choke
Featherweight: Ali Alqaisi (JOR) beat Furkatbek Yokubov (UZB). Round 1 TKO
Featherweight: Abu Muslim Alikhanov (RUS) beat Atabek Abdimitalipov (KYG). Unanimous decision
Catchweight 74kg: Mirafzal Akhtamov (UZB) beat Marcos Costa (BRA). Split decision
Welterweight: Andre Fialho (POR) beat Sang Hoon-yu (KOR). Round 1 TKO
Lightweight: John Mitchell (IRE) beat Arbi Emiev (RUS). Round 2 RSC (deep cuts)
Middleweight: Gianni Melillo (ITA) beat Mohammed Karaki (LEB)
Welterweight: Handesson Ferreira (BRA) beat Amiran Gogoladze (GEO). Unanimous decision
Flyweight (Female): Carolina Jimenez (VEN) beat Lucrezia Ria (ITA), Round 1 rear naked choke
Welterweight: Daniel Skibinski (POL) beat Acoidan Duque (ESP). Round 3 TKO
Lightweight: Martun Mezhlumyan (ARM) beat Attila Korkmaz (TUR). Unanimous decision
Bantamweight: Ray Borg (USA) beat Jesse Arnett (CAN). Unanimous decision
Engine: 3.5-litre V6
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Power: 290hp
Torque: 340Nm
Price: Dh155,800
On sale: now
It Was Just an Accident
Director: Jafar Panahi
Stars: Vahid Mobasseri, Mariam Afshari, Ebrahim Azizi, Hadis Pakbaten, Majid Panahi, Mohamad Ali Elyasmehr
Rating: 4/5
Our legal consultant
Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
The specs: 2018 Mercedes-Benz S 450
Price, base / as tested Dh525,000 / Dh559,000
Engine: 3.0L V6 biturbo
Transmission: Nine-speed automatic
Power: 369hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 500Nm at 1,800rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 8.0L / 100km
Infiniti QX80 specs
Engine: twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6
Power: 450hp
Torque: 700Nm
Price: From Dh450,000, Autograph model from Dh510,000
Available: Now
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
Dubai Bling season three
Cast: Loujain Adada, Zeina Khoury, Farhana Bodi, Ebraheem Al Samadi, Mona Kattan, and couples Safa & Fahad Siddiqui and DJ Bliss & Danya Mohammed
Rating: 1/5
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.
Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.
“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.
“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.
Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.
From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.
Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.
BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.
Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.
Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.
“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.
“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.
“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”
The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”
The specs: 2019 Chevrolet Bolt EV
Price, base: Dh138,000 (estimate)
Engine: 60kWh battery
Transmission: Single-speed Electronic Precision Shift
Power: 204hp
Torque: 360Nm
Range: 520km (claimed)
The Sky Is Pink
Director: Shonali Bose
Cast: Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Farhan Akhtar, Zaira Wasim, Rohit Saraf
Three stars
HAJJAN
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Water waste
In the UAE’s arid climate, small shrubs, bushes and flower beds usually require about six litres of water per square metre, daily. That increases to 12 litres per square metre a day for small trees, and 300 litres for palm trees.
Horticulturists suggest the best time for watering is before 8am or after 6pm, when water won't be dried up by the sun.
A global report published by the Water Resources Institute in August, ranked the UAE 10th out of 164 nations where water supplies are most stretched.
The Emirates is the world’s third largest per capita water consumer after the US and Canada.
SPECS
Mini John Cooper Works Clubman and Mini John Cooper Works Countryman
Engine: two-litre 4-cylinder turbo
Transmission: nine-speed automatic
Power: 306hp
Torque: 450Nm
Price: JCW Clubman, Dh220,500; JCW Countryman, Dh225,500
The five pillars of Islam
ANATOMY%20OF%20A%20FALL
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THREE
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Essentials
The flights
Emirates and Etihad fly direct from the UAE to Geneva from Dh2,845 return, including taxes. The flight takes 6 hours.
The package
Clinique La Prairie offers a variety of programmes. A six-night Master Detox costs from 14,900 Swiss francs (Dh57,655), including all food, accommodation and a set schedule of medical consultations and spa treatments.
The Vile
Starring: Bdoor Mohammad, Jasem Alkharraz, Iman Tarik, Sarah Taibah
Director: Majid Al Ansari
Rating: 4/5
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
Started: 2020
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Entertainment
Number of staff: 210
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
Tips for job-seekers
- Do not submit your application through the Easy Apply button on LinkedIn. Employers receive between 600 and 800 replies for each job advert on the platform. If you are the right fit for a job, connect to a relevant person in the company on LinkedIn and send them a direct message.
- Make sure you are an exact fit for the job advertised. If you are an HR manager with five years’ experience in retail and the job requires a similar candidate with five years’ experience in consumer, you should apply. But if you have no experience in HR, do not apply for the job.
David Mackenzie, founder of recruitment agency Mackenzie Jones Middle East
