Why it Pays to Travel Light
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According to the Department of Transportation, nearly 220,000 bags were lost, damaged, delayed or stolen in April 2022 alone.
This is more than double the 94,000 cases of mishandled luggage by U.S. airlines in April 2021!
One thing you can do to avoid losing your luggage is traveling carry-on only. When you do this, you avoid checking a bag entirely, since you carry everything onto the plane with you.
Most airlines allow for one carry-on bag and one personal item. Always check the airline’s dimensions and requirements regarding carry-on items. Some of the smaller, more budget-friendly airlines have strict requirements.
Your carry-on item will usually go in the luggage storage compartment over your head, and your personal item must be able to fit under the seat in front of you. Airline attendants will usually ensure that the area around your feet is clear during takeoff and landing.
If you must check a bag, consider using an AirTag. With AirTags, you can leave a tracker inside of your luggage piece, and use the Find My app on your iPhone to track its location.
Recently, there was debate over whether or not these tracking devices could be legally used on planes, but the Federal Aviation Administration officially stated that Apple AirTags are cleared for takeoff and that travelers can continue using them to track their bags without issues.
I always wear a small crossbody bag to hold my passport, phone, wallet, etc. This allows me to be hands-free in airports while still having my important items close to me. You’ll want to ensure any important items or documents needed for the flight are easily accessible in your personal item so you don’t need to open your carry-on in the airport or on the plane.
When packing, try planning your outfits in advance. Consider which pieces of clothing have more than one purpose, and think of what could be layered or paired together.
I roll my clothing (and pack a travel steamer), buy travel-sized everything, and wear the bulkiest items on my flight. I also do laundry on long trips to minimize the amount of items I need to take with me.
I did a 2.5 week trip to Morocco and Portugal with just a carry on and backpack, so it can definitely be done, and you can do it too with a little bit of preparation.
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