This is solved, for me... the monitor slides right into my backpack next to the MBA. It's about as thick, and only slightly wider/longer as it's a 15" monitor.

This is solved, for me... the monitor slides right into my backpack next to the MBA. It's about as thick, and only slightly wider/longer as it's a 15" monitor. The cable I use is a6' USB-C cable. The monitor is both powered and driven off of the MBA whether or not I have that plugged into the wall.