Holidaymakers have been encouraged to avoid making a common packing mistake or they could face delays at the airport. It’s super easy to do, but travellers have been told to ditch the habit
With the summer holidays in full swing, lots of Brits are heading on holidays and looking for all sorts of packing hacks to make their journeys easier. However, when sorting out your cases, there’s one big rule you may want to follow if you don’t want to risk delays at the airport.
When you travel abroad, it can be hard to decide what to pack, as most people like to try and cover all weather eventualities with their clothing choices. But – if you’re someone who likes to try and squeeze in as much as possible – you may want to think again, as your bulky suitcase could land you in a spot of bother at the airport.
Travel tip sharer Taylor, known as taytrox_travel on TikTok, recently said airports are becoming “strict” on how much luggage you carry on. So, if you want to travel with ease, you may want to follow some essential packing advice.
Taylor said: “If you’re packing a carry on and using that expansion zipper to squeeze in as many outfits as possible, I’m telling you now, do not do it. Airlines have gotten so strict in the last few months, and they are cracking down hard.
“Even if your bag fits in the overhead bin, if it’s just expanded just a tiny bit, they’ll make you check and – no – your first class ticket isn’t going to save you either. It doesn’t matter how much you paid or how early you boarded.”
She added: “If it’s not zipped to its original size and it’s expanded, you’re not carrying it on. And – here’s the kicker – they’re not even letting you gate check it anymore.
“You’ll be sent all the way back to the desk like it’s a full-time bag and that means more waiting, more stress and more chances your bag gets lost in the chaos. So don’t risk it – repack that carry on and keep that expansion zipper flat and play it safe.
“Trust me. No outfit is worth missing your flight or waiting an hour in baggage claim.”
Though Taylor is based in America, UK airports actually have strict rules when it comes to suitcases too. Most airlines require your suitcase to close fully and, in some instances, bulky suitcases can result in extra fees.
While expandable bags are common in the UK, whether you can use them depends on whether it’s a carry on or checked bag and the airline’s specific size and weight restrictions. Oversized bags are usually accepted as checked baggage, but can include extra fees.
In UK airports, bulky carry on bags are generally not allowed in the cabin. Airlines have specific size and weight restrictions for carry on luggage and, if bags exceed these limits, they are usually required to be checked in as hold luggage and fees may apply.
There are a few rules you need to follow or you could end up being delayed at the airport. Since Taylor’s video has been shared, many people commented. They all opened up about their different travel experiences.
One person said: “We were just on a flight from Vegas to Seattle and they made an announcement that, if they see a zipper expanded, they will make you check it when we were at the gate.”
Another wrote: “Good to know – thanks girl.” Meanwhile, a third shared a different experience, adding: “Just flew this week. Took five different flights. Each had multiple people travelling with expanded bags. No issues.”