7 luggage mistakes to avoid while travelling by flight

While traveling can be an exciting and thrilling experience, the pre-travel logistical tasks, such as efficiently and effectively packing your luggage, can become quite overwhelming. From organising your belongings in suitcases to ensuring your luggage meets weight restrictions, here are some tips to help you avoid common luggage mistakes when traveling by air.

Here are a few luggage mistakes to avoid while traveling, as curated by flight attendants:

1. Use a sturdy and strong suitcase

• This is a no-brainer, if you want to make your travel hassle free. Invest in a strong, sturdy suitcase.
• Make sure all the wheels of the luggage are working and smooth. 
• You don't want to drag your suitcase around at the airport and outside. (especially when you are on a holiday, you're not sure for how long you might to wait for your ride and or how much you'll have drag your suitcase to get to your accommodation)
• Also, a lot of international flights share the size restrictions/limits on the size (dimensions) of the suitcase, make sure you read them and use suitcases that fit in with those set size dimensions.

2. Avoid flimsy name paper tags

• We've all seen people tying different coloured ribbons on their suitcases to tell them apart from the others.
• However, another way to keep your luggage safe and for you to identify or spot it quickly on the conveyor belt is by putting a name tag.
• A name tag that looks unique and is made of a strong material, unlike using a flimsy paper tag that can be easily torn intentionally or unintentionally.
• Always have your basic information written on your name tag.

3. Never pack your bulkiest shoes, wear them instead

• Instead of packing your bulkiest shoes (footwear generally takes up a lot of space in your bag), wear them at the airport and in the flight. (obviously, you should be able to walk in those shoes comfortably)
• This will save you some space in your suitcase that you can efficiently use to pack something else.

4. Pack airport and flight essentials in separate small bags within your carry-ons

• For both short and long haul flights, you require some items that you need to access every now and then when you're at the airport and in the flight - from your passport to your medications or skincare, ear plugs, chargers, etc. You want to keep them handy and in a place that's easily accessible.
• Instead of having them kept in an unorganized manner (or dumping in your carry-on) in your carry-ons you can pack them separately (compartmentalize) in those transparent small pouches.
• In this way, your important items will be water-proof and you wouldn't be worried about your skincare liquids or water leaking and spoiling your stuff.

5. Don't use an extra bag, stash a collapsible bag in your luggage

• If you feel like you might require an extra bag when you're on holiday and on your way back home (incase you did that extra shopping), but you don't have enough items to pack in it when you leave for your holiday, a good way to use this space is but using those folding bags.
• Instead of burdening yourself by carrying that extra bag, pack a collapsible bag in your luggage that you can use later according to your need.

6. Always weigh your luggage, don't try to sneak in with overweight bags

• Flight attendants and fellow passengers always notice those odd one or two passengers who have overweight bags and they are trying to get them checked-in (for free refusing to pay extra-weight charges) and are arguing at the check in desk. (we all find those passengers very annoying right, keeping us waiting in the dreadful long queues for long)
• You might not want to get yourself in a sticky situation like this and definitely not want to open your suitcases at the airport to throw away your belongings (obviously the least important ones) to lighten your luggage.
• Tip: buy a portable luggage scale, a travel-friendly item that will keep you anxiety-free from constantly worrying about the weight of your luggage.

7. Managing space well within your suitcase

• Recommended: watch videos on how to pack your clothes in the most efficient way that also helps you save space. (apparently rolling your clothes tightly instead of folding them will let you fit more stuff in)
• Always remember to leave extra space for the items that you will buy later, such as souvenirs, shopping stuff etc. 
• Skincare and toiletries: tightly pack and seal your skincare and toiletries, preferably in a water-proof plastic pouches to prevent them from leaking and spoiling your clothes and belongings.

Regardless of how many times you've travelled before, it's always advised to check the items that are allowed or prohibited for you to carry on flight or to pack in your check-in luggage (like power banks), just to make your travel easy.

Can you think of anymore luggage mistakes travellers should never make? Let us know in the comments.

READ MORE: 7 embarrassing mistakes to avoid on your first international trip

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