Best slimline laptop bags for your next South African flight

The Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) has intensified hand luggage regulations for all flights this holiday season and beyond. It’s trying to ‘enhance aviation safety and compliance’. While not new, the agency has vowed to be much stricter on regulations, which will see normal travellers scrambling for smaller laptop bags.

According to the regulations, economy class passengers are allowed one bag and one slimline laptop bag or handbag, while first-class passengers can carry two bags and a slimline laptop bag. The total dimensions for each bag must not exceed 56cm x 36cm x 23cm, with a weight limit of 7kg per bag.

ACSA emphasises that a ‘slimline’ laptop bag should only contain laptops and chargers, and specifically mentions they cannot include clothes or documents. This stricter policy may lead to challenges, especially for gamers with bulkier setups and those with diverse laptop sizes and chargers. Additionally, individuals carrying handbags may need to decide between a slimline laptop bag and a handbag, in addition to their regular carry-on.

Time to upgrade that clunky laptop bag to something a bit more, let’s say, ACSA-approved? Here’s our list of the best slimline laptop bags that should, in theory, be fine at the check-in desk before your festive season flight.

Slim Laptop Briefcase – Jekyll & Hide | R6,000

For the (non-environmental) fashionistas, we recommend you opt for leather. Jekyll & Hide offers premium accessories made from leather, and laptop bags and sleeves are also on offer.

The above option can easily hold up to a 15-inch laptop, has an RFID inner pocket, and makes you look like a trendy professional jet-setting to New York or something equally envy-inducing. It’s like the James Bond of laptop bags and falls under the ACSA’s prescribed maximum size for good measure.

HP Prelude 15.6-inch Topload Notebook Bag | R470

We know – when you think HP, you think printers. Maybe laptops too. Well, it makes accessories for those (the laptops, not the printers…), and has a range of options on offer. This one, in particular, is one of the cheaper choices on the list, and will essentially do the job of safely holding your laptop over distances travelled.

Because what else do you really need? If you’re after a slimline laptop bag that will adhere to the ACSA’s regulations and keep your laptop safe, this is the one. For less than five hundred bucks, too.

HP Renew 15 Laptop Backpack | R1,300

Sticking to the HP theme, we foray into a different format here. If you’re anything like us, you’ll prefer a backpack to a sling bag (because you value your spine). This one’s on offer from Evetech and complies with the slimline design while sitting snugly on your back.

This one holds up to a 15-inch laptop, so you may even get away with transporting something bigger than a MacBook Air.

Skywalker Business Traveller Multi-Functional Backpack | R750

Skywalker? This isn’t a galaxy far, far away; it’s just Takelot. And we’re looking at another backpack-style laptop bag that should (in theory)  pass through security at a South African airport without any issues.

This multi-functional backpack features a variety of internal sections and compartments – ideal for a techy with multiple adaptors and cables. Just be sure not to include clothes or documents here, even if there’s space for them.

K-Way Power 30 Laptop Bag | R2,000

We’re back on a well-known brand name, so expect to pay a bit more. The Power 30 is a chunky-looking backpack that may not make it through the security checkpoint, but it does size slightly smaller than the prescribed bag dimensions in the ACSA’s regulations so we’re forced to assume that it’s appropriate.

You’re also getting ample space here, which may or may not be an issue. Again – these regulations are fairly vague. If you’re not taking another carry-on onto the aeroplane, this may be acceptable as a single laptop/carry-on.

Recycled Slim Laptop Bag | R1,550

For the eco-friendly folks out there — we didn’t forget about you. This slim laptop bag is made from nylon waste “that has been through a radical regeneration and purification process.” Which sounds like a fancy way of explaining recycling.

But it’s a cool-looking option for hippies travelling by air with their titanium slabs. We like the look of them, and it looks like a particularly practical little slimline bag.

Thule Subterra MacBook Sleeve 15 Inch | R1,500

This won’t be a complete laptop bag list if we don’t mention Thule. The brand is synonymous with durability and reliability. Their Subterra MacBook Sleeve is more a sleeve than a bag – which the ASCA would probably love due to its small size.

The thing is, you’ll likely only be able to use this with a laptop sporting the Apple logo due to its compact size. At least you’ll know the MacBook is safe.

Body Glove Armour Sleeve With Handle 15,6 inch | R700

We end off strong with a brand that many in South Africa will recognise – Body Glove makes a range of affordable and trendy smartphone covers. Surprise! It also dabbles in laptop covers. This one is also in the ‘sleeve’ category, but it’s fitted with a handle, so you can easily carry it like a briefcase, and keep your laptop protected simultaneously.