Traveling can be stressful enough without the added worry of losing your luggage. Now, a major airline has issued a warning about the color of suitcase you should avoid bringing to the airport to prevent mix-ups and delays.
Why Suitcase Color Matters
When it comes to baggage handling, identifying your suitcase quickly on the conveyor belt is crucial. If you’ve ever been caught in a situation where your luggage gets lost or mistakenly swapped with someone else’s, you’ll know how frustrating and costly it can be. Not only does it disrupt your travel plans, but it can also set you back financially, especially if it’s difficult to claim back your belongings on insurance.
To help reduce this risk, Ryanair has issued a recommendation on the colors of suitcases to avoid when traveling. It turns out that certain colors make your suitcase nearly impossible to spot among other bags, increasing the likelihood of confusion.
Colors to Avoid: Black, Gray, and Navy
Ryanair suggests avoiding suitcases in dark tones such as black, gray, and navy. These colors blend in with most other luggage, making it difficult to distinguish your bag from the crowd on the baggage carousel.
The airline advises adding a colorful luggage tag or ribbon to help make your suitcase stand out, especially if your luggage is black, navy, or gray. This simple addition can save you time and stress when you’re trying to spot your bag after a flight.
Expert Opinions on Luggage Color
Stefan Schulte, the boss of Frankfurt Airport, has echoed the concerns about dark-colored suitcases. He points out that black suitcases, in particular, are “hard to distinguish from each other,” making the identification process much more time-consuming for both travelers and airport staff. According to Schulte, this issue causes delays and confusion, particularly during peak travel times.
Why Black Bags Are More Likely to Get Lost
A report from The Economic Times found that black suitcases are the most commonly lost luggage at airports. Travel expert Jamie Fraxier explains that hard-sided black suitcases are the most popular luggage choice globally, making them the hardest to spot when mixed with others.
Many travelers opt for the classic black suitcase, but its popularity works against them when trying to retrieve a misplaced bag. As Fraxier notes, “If your bag is misplaced, you don’t want it to be hard to distinguish from other luggage.”
Solution: Opt for Brighter Colors
If you want to avoid the hassle of lost luggage, choosing a suitcase in a brighter color can significantly reduce the chances of confusion. A colorful suitcase not only makes it easier for you to spot your bag, but it also helps airport staff quickly identify it, should it get lost.
In summary, while black, gray, and navy suitcases are common, opting for a suitcase in a bright color or adding a colorful tag or ribbon is a smart strategy to ensure that your luggage stands out and reduces the chances of it getting lost or mistakenly swapped.
