With school half-term approaching, many families will be using the week off to jet off somewhere for a holiday.
Braving the airport will be far less stressful with our pick of some of the handiest luggage accessories on the market.
From drinks caddies that attach to the straps of your luggage and connectors that allow you to pull two or more suitcases with ease, to the children’s carry-on that turns a plane seat into a bed, here are 10 accessories for your suitcase that will make your journey through the airport and on to your destination a breeze…
1. Cup caddy
If, like a lot of people, the first thing you do when you get to the airport is grab a coffee to-go, you’ll know how difficult it can be to juggle bags, coats, passports and your luggage.
This waterproof cup holder by Kajaia attaches to the handle of your luggage and is the perfect place to stash takeaway drinks or water cup holders.
Plus, on the other side are three pockets — one zippered — to hold your phone, credit cards, passport, sunglasses and more. It's available in six colours, including blue and pink.
Dh51.58, www.amazon.ae
2. Travel belt
This handy attachment belt by Cincha Travel is not only chic, it’s also a super-handy addition to your travel kit.
The 115cm belt securely attaches handbags, laptop bags, baby changing bags, coats, pillows and more to the straps of your carry-on luggage.
It has a quick-release buckle, comes in an array of colours and patterns and is made from vegan leather. Plus, you can personalise it with your own monogram. International shipping is available.
$40, www.cinchatravel.com
3. Fingerprint lock
No more trying to remember long-forgotten lock codes or losing those small padlock keys.
The Kastwave luggage lock brings baggage security into the 21st century with fingerprint access.
Charged via USB, and with a long standby time, the lock is made from zinc alloy and can store up to 20 different fingerprints, so the whole family can use it.
Dh109, www.amazon.ae
4. Multi-suitcase luggage connectors
No matter how sparingly you try to pack, sometimes you just have to fill more suitcases than there are people. This can be an issue when you’re travelling with children too small to carry their own cases.
The Rumilla luggage connector allows you to attach another suitcase to yours so you can pull both along.
Plus, you can also connect additional cases with more straps if needed.
Dh64, www.ubuy.ae
5. Diabolo de Cartier travel tag
Add a luxurious touch to your luggage with Cartier’ metal travel tag. Designed in a lacquered gold-finish metal and with a black leather strap, the tag features the label’s signature bellboy motif and measures 87mm by 55mm.
Dh2,300, www.cartier.com
6. Child’s travel seat
Along with crying babies on planes, nothing makes a parent’s heart sink faster than ushering tired children through the airport. The Lugabug travel seat is the solution to this problem.
The lightweight, collapsible seat attaches to most carry-on luggage for children aged two and over to sit in while you pull them along, or to rest in while you’re queueing.
It can carry up to 23kg and the hammock-like design allows it to fold up against the luggage when stored in the overhead bins onboard.
Dh196.59, www.amazon.ae
7. Luggage security strap
Ensure your suitcase is as secure as possible with an adjustable luggage strap that includes a built-in lock.
The rainbow design will help your suitcase stand out on the carousel, while the passcode lock acts as an additional anti-theft measure. It's also available in black, pink, purple and orange.
Dh61, www.lightinthebox.com
8. Air Tags
Say goodbye to the holiday-spoiling nuisance that is lost or missing luggage by keeping track of your belongings.
Sold in pairs, put one Air Tag in your suitcase and attach the other to your keys or bag, and you’ll be able to see where your luggage is at all stages of your journey by using the Find My app on your iPhone.
You can also personalise your tags with an engraved monogram.
From Dh129, www.apple.com/ae
9. Stokke Jetkids Bedbox V2
This child travel accessory ticks so many boxes.
Children can sit on and be pulled through the airport, store their books and toys inside, and use it as a footrest onboard the plane while the long strap allows parents to easily carry it.
Best of all, it can transform even the smallest plane seat into a comfy bed for little ones in five steps. The item is designed for children aged three to seven years.
Dh799, www.mumzworld.com
10. Luggage gripper
This luggage strap by Westonetek is essentially a coat hook for your carry-on.
Made from strong nylon, simply buckle it to the top handle of your case and the carabiner clip allows you to attach anything you like to it.
Free up your hands by hooking on backpacks, travel pillows, sun hats and more for a cheap and convenient accessory that requires next to no space. It's available in black, blue, grey and yellow.
Dh36.98, www.amazon.ae
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
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Financial considerations before buying a property
Buyers should try to pay as much in cash as possible for a property, limiting the mortgage value to as little as they can afford. This means they not only pay less in interest but their monthly costs are also reduced. Ideally, the monthly mortgage payment should not exceed 20 per cent of the purchaser’s total household income, says Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching.
“If it’s a rental property, plan for the property to have periods when it does not have a tenant. Ensure you have enough cash set aside to pay the mortgage and other costs during these periods, ideally at least six months,” she says.
Also, shop around for the best mortgage interest rate. Understand the terms and conditions, especially what happens after any introductory periods, Ms Glynn adds.
Using a good mortgage broker is worth the investment to obtain the best rate available for a buyer’s needs and circumstances. A good mortgage broker will help the buyer understand the terms and conditions of the mortgage and make the purchasing process efficient and easier.
Omar Yabroudi's factfile
Born: October 20, 1989, Sharjah
Education: Bachelor of Science and Football, Liverpool John Moores University
2010: Accrington Stanley FC, internship
2010-2012: Crystal Palace, performance analyst with U-18 academy
2012-2015: Barnet FC, first-team performance analyst/head of recruitment
2015-2017: Nottingham Forest, head of recruitment
2018-present: Crystal Palace, player recruitment manager
THE BIO
Favourite car: Koenigsegg Agera RS or Renault Trezor concept car.
Favourite book: I Am Pilgrim by Terry Hayes or Red Notice by Bill Browder.
Biggest inspiration: My husband Nik. He really got me through a lot with his positivity.
Favourite holiday destination: Being at home in Australia, as I travel all over the world for work. It’s great to just hang out with my husband and family.
Jewel of the Expo 2020
252 projectors installed on Al Wasl dome
13.6km of steel used in the structure that makes it equal in length to 16 Burj Khalifas
550 tonnes of moulded steel were raised last year to cap the dome
724,000 cubic metres is the space it encloses
Stands taller than the leaning tower of Pisa
Steel trellis dome is one of the largest single structures on site
The size of 16 tennis courts and weighs as much as 500 elephants
Al Wasl means connection in Arabic
World’s largest 360-degree projection surface
The Uefa Awards winners
Uefa Men's Player of the Year: Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)
Uefa Women's Player of the Year: Lucy Bronze (Lyon)
Best players of the 2018/19 Uefa Champions League
Goalkeeper: Alisson (Liverpool)
Defender: Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)
Midfielder: Frenkie de Jong (Ajax)
Forward: Lionel Messi (Barcelona)
Uefa President's Award: Eric Cantona
The Penguin
Starring: Colin Farrell, Cristin Milioti, Rhenzy Feliz
Creator: Lauren LeFranc
Rating: 4/5
UAE squad
Esha Oza (captain), Al Maseera Jahangir, Emily Thomas, Heena Hotchandani, Indhuja Nandakumar, Katie Thompson, Lavanya Keny, Mehak Thakur, Michelle Botha, Rinitha Rajith, Samaira Dharnidharka, Siya Gokhale, Sashikala Silva, Suraksha Kotte, Theertha Satish (wicketkeeper) Udeni Kuruppuarachchige, Vaishnave Mahesh.
UAE tour of Zimbabwe
All matches in Bulawayo
Friday, Sept 26 – First ODI
Sunday, Sept 28 – Second ODI
Tuesday, Sept 30 – Third ODI
Thursday, Oct 2 – Fourth ODI
Sunday, Oct 5 – First T20I
Monday, Oct 6 – Second T20I
Sholto Byrnes on Myanmar politics
The specs: 2018 Maxus T60
Price, base / as tested: Dh48,000
Engine: 2.4-litre four-cylinder
Power: 136hp @ 1,600rpm
Torque: 360Nm @ 1,600 rpm
Transmission: Five-speed manual
Fuel consumption, combined: 9.1L / 100km
Andor
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EA Sports FC 26
Publisher: EA Sports
Consoles: PC, PlayStation 4/5, Xbox Series X/S
Rating: 3/5
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
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What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
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