Travel Packing Tips

1. Know the rules

Take a note of the number of bags you can check-in at the airport. In most cases it’s one piece per passenger, but make sure you’re not over the weight allowance – on EasyJet you can check in up to eight pieces of luggage but their combined weight isn’t allowed to exceed 20kg (44lb) and if it does you’ll be asked to pay a hefty fine for the extra weight. Weigh your luggage on a scale before you leave home so you aren’t greeted by any unexpected costs.
You’re allowed to take more than one piece of hand luggage with you on a plane, but size restrictions still apply. For British passengers, bags larger than 56cmx45cmx25cm are forbidden. For further information, please visit www.gov.uk
If placed in your hand luggage, any gels, liquids, creams and pastes have to be in containers of no more than 100ml and placed in a transparent resealable plastic bag no larger than 20x20cm.

2. Buy the right suitcase

Size is crucial. If the bag is too big, your case might not fit into the boot of the hire car or taxi; too small and you’ll have to sit on the lid to close it, which makes it more susceptible to breaks. An expandable case can help solve most space issues.
A hard shell on a case can add up to 10lb of dead weight, but it does offer the contents of your luggage more protection from damage, thieves and sudden downpours. A soft-shelled case will look smarter for longer and is easier to manipulate in terms of storage space.
70% of suitcases on any given luggage carousel are black. Make yours stand out – but just to you. Don’t advertise your bags to thieves, but make your case easy to identify.

3. How to pack and unpack

Whether you fold, roll or bundle or wrap in tissue or plastic, the key is not to over-pack. Squashed clothes are creased clothes and the same is true of clothes that are too loosely packed, as they crease from rolling around inside the case against one another.
Don’t put wrapped gifts inside checked luggage. If your case is opened for inspection, wrapping will have to be removed.

4. Keep it safe

A suitcase is easily parted from its luggage label. Always put on more than one with details of your flight and destination inside.
If two or more people are travelling, split belonging between checked luggage so if one case goes missing, each of you will still have a change of clothes.
If you’re late to check in, the chances are your luggage won’t make it onto the flight, even if you do.
Always lock your checked bags – an unlocked suitcase could invalidate your insurance.
If you are travelling to America, you must use cases fitted with Transport Security Administration-approved locks, or a TSA-approved padlock or strap. For further details, please visit www.tsa.gov
There are loads of tracking services for luggage available, research some and see if they would suit you.

Remember, should the worst happen and you lose your luggage:

85% of all lost luggage is found within 48 hours
If your case has not appeared by the time the carousel stops, check the tag of any unclaimed case similar to yours, someone may have mistaken your case for theirs.
If your luggage is missing, even if you’ve been told it’s on the next flight, you have to fill out a Property Irregularity Report before you even leave the airport.
Check your travel insurance to see if lost or delayed luggage is covered.