I stuffed my bra with luggage to beat Wizz Air’s fees—and it almost worked
Airlines love their fees, but I bet most travelers would rather test limits than pay them. Wizz Air offers a free cabin bag of just 40 x 30 x 20 cm. On a January flight home from Lisbon, I stared at that limit and saw a chance to outsmart the system. I wasn't chasing vanity. I was chasing space—and savings. Could I turn part of my body into extra luggage and skip a fee? The plan was bold, ridiculous, and perhaps a little reckless, but I was ready to try.
In This Article:
The €5 bra that sparked the plan
Purchase and planning happened in Lisbon. In the H&M sale racks I found a large bra priced at €5. The thought hit me: what if this bra could give me extra luggage space without paying more? I reasoned that airlines weigh bags, not bodies. My coat pockets had long carried overflow snacks and chargers, so why not my chest as well? The idea felt silly, but it had a certain logic. On the day of the flight, I stashed the bra in my bag to pass security, then headed to the toilets to begin the transformation. This was the start of a makeshift experiment in travel economics.
The mechanics: turning a bra into a wearable suitcase
Inside the stall, I slipped the bra on over my shirt for speed and began the stuffing. My bikini top slid into one cup, the gym kit into the other, and the fishing vest added bulk. With each addition, my silhouette grew curvier, and I couldn’t help laughing at the memory of childhood dress‑up games. The jacket went on, and the temperature rose. Lisbon was in winter mode, but under my layers I felt a private heatwave. I emerged back into the world with my new silhouette—and the plan felt suddenly very real.
Gate, plane, and the reveal
At the gate I braced for scrutiny. I’d heard horror stories of unpacking, bag sizers, or last‑minute fines that could cost more than the flight itself. Boarding went smoothly, and I barely drew a second glance. But once I reached my seat, I realized my faux pas—the bulging bra was on the outside of my shirt. Unzipping the coat mid‑flight to release it took ages and drew the bemused attention of nearby passengers. Settled, I could finally assess the hack: did it work? Yes. I dodged an extra fee and glided through the journey without question. Yet the downsides were clear: you can’t pack much before you start looking ridiculous, it’s sweltering, and you’ll embarrass yourself if you ever need to remove it.
Lessons learned and smarter hacks
Did the bra‑as‑baggage trick work? Yes, but the costs are steep in comfort and dignity. There are smarter ways to beat fees without turning yourself into a walking suitcase: - The neck pillow trick: fill it with underwear or lightweight clothes. It’s surprisingly roomy and discreet—just reserve your least‑worn garments for the return journey. - The fishing vest hack: a wearable cupboard with deep pockets for chargers, snacks, and even a laptop. - The duty‑free bag dodge: grab a small bag from duty‑free, slip a jumper or two inside, and stroll onboard looking like you’ve just bought perfume. - The large backpack gamble: wear a bag that’s actually too big, keep it on your back and facing forward, and hope it’s not challenged. All of these have worked for me multiple times without the heat, bulk, or mid‑flight unzipping. If you’re truly in a bind and have a spare large bra, you could try—but for comfort and dignity, a jacket with deep pockets works just as well. This remains a one‑and‑done experiment, with a few better options waiting in the wings.
