Choosing the right suitcase colour may seem like a small detail. However, it can reduce the risk of lost luggage at busy airports. This simple suitcase colour travel tip can help travellers avoid baggage confusion and quickly spot their bags on the carousel.
Why Suitcase Colour Matters for Travellers
Planning your long-awaited holiday should be filled with excitement, not the worry of lost luggage. One simple step can help reduce that risk: reconsider your suitcase colour. Many travellers choose black, grey or navy luggage. However, these colours are extremely common in airport baggage systems.
In fact, budget airline Ryanair has advised passengers to avoid these shades if possible. According to the airline, choosing a distinctive suitcase colour makes it easier to recognise your bag and avoid carousel confusion. As a result, travellers reduce the chances of accidental bag swaps.
The Problem with Dark Suitcases
The reasoning behind this advice is simple. Thousands of dark suitcases move through airport baggage systems every day. Therefore, many bags look almost identical. Because of this, travellers sometimes pick up the wrong suitcase by mistake.
A senior manager at a major European airport also highlighted this issue. He explained that identifying similar dark bags can take longer for airport staff. Consequently, delayed identification can make lost luggage cases harder to resolve.
How to Make Your Suitcase Stand Out
Fortunately, there are easy ways to avoid this problem. First, consider choosing a brighter suitcase colour when buying new luggage. Colours such as red, yellow or turquoise are easier to recognise on a busy baggage carousel.
However, if you already own a dark suitcase, you can still make it stand out. For example, adding colourful luggage straps, tags or ribbons* can help you identify your bag quickly. These small details also make accidental swaps far less likely.
Additionally, placing a distinctive luggage strap around your suitcase can help airport staff identify your bag more easily if it ever goes missing.
If you want to explore a range of popular luggage straps, I have included a link to Amazon Best Sellers list* to help you find a few great options.
*This article contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
