Multiple Australian outlets report that travelling with only carry-on luggage is becoming as stressful as checking bags, largely due to difficulties finding space for small bags during boarding and after arrival. The articles describe how passengers often face a rush either to retrieve carry-on items quickly from overhead compartments or to locate available space when cabins are full. In that environment, travellers can spend more time competing for storage space than focusing on their trip. The outlets frame the issue as a shift from the original advantages of carry-on travel—such as avoiding check-in lines and waiting for baggage—to a new set of pressures that arise from crowded flights and limited overhead capacity. While some passengers attempt to keep trips light, the reporting suggests that the practical realities of airport and airline operations are making that choice less straightforward. Overall, the sources agree that the experience of “travelling light” can now involve time pressure and uncertainty around where carry-on luggage can be stored, reducing the perceived benefits of carrying less.