If you have a vacation coming up and you're planning to buy a new suitcase for it, there's one color experts say you should avoid.
According to Eminent research, more than 40% of purchased suitcases are black. This means it can be difficult to find which black suitcase on the carousel is yours.
Jamie Fraser, a travel expert at US summer camp Wildpack, explained why passengers should ditch their black luggage if they want to be sure they have the right suitcase at the end of their flight.
“Hard-sided black suitcases are the most common type of luggage around the world, the most difficult to identify, and the most likely to be lost. This style of suitcase also comes with wheels. is the default choice for travelers, but you don't want your bag to be difficult to distinguish from other luggage if it gets misplaced.
“Instead, choose a colorful bag or add a unique marker to your bag to make it stand out and easier to find.
“If you have a black hard-sided suitcase, we recommend arriving at the airport early and dropping off your luggage well in advance of your flight.
“This gives airline staff more time to properly tag and load luggage, reducing the chance of luggage being mishandled or misplaced.”
If you want to avoid losing or misplacing your luggage, Frazer has some important tips. The first one is to buy a colorful or distinctive bag.
He said: “These bright colors are much easier to spot on the baggage carousel than the typical black hard-sided suitcase. If you still want to go with a black suitcase, try colorful luggage to help you stand out in the crowd. Add tags, stickers, or patterned lanyards.”
We also recommend using transparent luggage tags.
“Even if your bag is meant for carry-on, we recommend a secure luggage tag with your contact details. The tag should include your name, phone number, and email address. is the easiest way to contact us. However, to reduce safety risks, please avoid including your home address.”
