Air travel is back – and it’s back in a big way. According to the International Air Travel Association, passenger numbers are expected to reach 94% of 2019 levels, with a full recovery to pre-COVID levels expected by 2023. While consumers are more than ready to fly, the airlines themselves are still struggling to staff up to pre-pandemic levels, leading to long lines, high prices, and many reported difficulties retrieving checked luggage. Add winter storms and the always large spike in holiday travel numbers during the weeks surrounding Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day, and you’ve got a lot of people – and a lot of bags – needing to get from here to there and back again in a timely and safe manner.
No wonder it’s stressful to fly. What shouldn’t be stressful? How to pack for a flight.
Whether you’re going domestic or international, on a long trip or a short jaunt, or on a family vacation or a solo journey, we’ve got the solutions for all of your packing conundrums. Less is more. Especially if you’re ever going to have to actually lift or carry your bag. But if you’re like us and still want to pack an outfit for every possible outing – even imaginary ones – we’ve got you covered.
Keep scrolling to find out our top travel packing tips including what to pack, how to pack, and what to leave to behind to make your trip – and journey – the best it can be. We’ve divided it up into two sections: how to pack a checked bag and how to pack a carry-on for air travel. Just about any frequent traveler will tell you – your best bet is to try to stick to carry-on only, so that’s where we’ll start!
How to Pack a Carry-On for Air Travel
There’s no doubt about it: if you’re traveling for the holidays this year, it’s going to be hectic and expensive. Probably next year too. (And every year to follow.) According to the Hopper booking app, Thanksgiving airfares are 43% higher in 2022 than in 2021. Considering most airlines tack checked baggage fees onto these already sky-high prices, it makes sense that customers are trying to cram as much as they can into their carry-ons, and leave the excess behind. And that’s where we come in!
Travel Packing Tips – Carry-On Bags
- Roll, roll, roll those clothes. Forget folding. If you’re trying to save space, rolling your clothes is the only way to go. You’ll likely be surprised how much less wrinkled they are when you unpack!
- Understand – and prepare for – TSA rules. The Travel Safety Administration (TSA) doesn’t play when it comes to the size of your toiletries. Get very familiar with the requirements. When possible, switch to items like solid shampoo and sunscreen to avoid the hassle at screening.
- Wear your bulkiest items. Always wear boots, cardigans and coats on planes rather than packing them. Find space under a seat or in an overhead bin for these items rather than take up precious room in your bag.
- Use packing cubes or compression bags. These devices will help you squeeze more items into your bag on the way out, and are also great to separate dirty clothes in during your trip.
- Maximize that personal item. Airlines typically allow for a free personal item, so make sure you’re making the most of it. Use a spacious backpack with room for a water bottle, laptop, prescriptions, wallet, extra clothes, etc.
Check with your airline about the allowed dimensions for your carry-on luggage before you buy (or pack) anything for your trip. It’s usually up to the gate agents whether or not they want to be strict about the rules or let a slightly larger carry-on pass by without question, so always remember to smile.
One last tip: If you are planning to go carry-on only for your trip, try to get a ticket with an early boarding time to ensure there is space in the overhead luggage storage space for your bag. It’s frustrating to go through all the hassle of packing a small bag only to have to check it anyway because too many other people had the same idea – and got there first!
How to Pack a Checked Bag for Air Travel
Packing a checked bag can feel like breathing a sigh of relief – look at all the space! But that space can sure fill up quickly if you’re not careful about what and how you pack.
The tips above about how to pack a carry-on for air travel also apply to checked bags. You’re still going to want to roll your clothes, invest in packing cubes and/or compression bags, wear your bulkiest items, and pack as much as you can into your personal item. But there are additional ways to maximize your checked bag that don’t always apply to carry-on luggage, so keep scrolling to check out our top tips!
Travel Packing Tips – Checked Bags
- Pack your biggest, bulkiest items at the bottom. Keeping the lighter items on top will lessen wrinkles and make your suitcase easier to close.
- Leave no space unfilled. Simply put: don’t pack air. Stuff those shoes with your boxer briefs. Top up that top hat with your tube socks.
- Be ruthless and realistic. Just because you have space for it doesn’t mean you’ll wear it. Be reasonable. If it’s been hanging untouched in your closet for three years, bringing it on vacation will not suddenly make it appealing to you.
- Put your name and contact info inside your suitcase. Lost, damaged and delayed bags are becoming increasingly common. Lessen your chances of calamity by including your name and contact information inside (and out) of your suitcase. (Make sure to also write where you’ll be staying along with your home address.)
- Weigh your bag – and pack the scale. Avoid expensive surprises by investing in a small bag scale to weigh your bag before you head out to the airport at both ends of your trip. A few dollars now could save you many down the road.
Also, be careful about the toiletries you pack in your checked bags. While you can certainly pack larger bottles than the TSA allows in carry-on bags, you’ll want to assume that one – or more – will leak. Double-bag any liquids and don’t include them with items that will be ruined if they get wet (for example, eyeshadow or medication). Be sure to keep your toothbrush separate from anything that might leak as well. Take it from us.
If you’d like to check out more tips and advice for your next journey, we love the info in these posts:
- 10 Packing Trips Every Traveler Should Know
- How to Pack a Suitcase
- 14 Genius Packing Trips to Help You Travel Like a Pro
Above all, have fun and pack less than you think you need! Unless you’re going somewhere truly remote, you can probably always buy it when you get there. Besides, you need space for all your souvenirs. Bon voyage!
