A simple trick could see your suitcase emerge first from the baggage carousel, saving you time and stress at the airport. According to guidance from Escape.com, checking in as late as possible may help your luggage be among the first off the plane.
Thomas Lo Sciuto, a ramp worker and gate agent at a regional US airport, explained: 'Your best option is to be one of the last passengers to check your bags. This is because bags will always be loaded front to back on the bag carts.' However, he noted that weight distribution also plays a role, and bags are not solely loaded according to check-in times.
For wider-bodied aircraft, luggage is often sorted into large containers called 'cans' to ensure proper weight distribution. SmarterTravel told HuffPost that Delta Air Lines, which flies from London Heathrow, uses this method, meaning the position of your bag depends on the weight of the can rather than when you checked it.
Another tactic is to mark your suitcase as 'fragile'. News.com.au suggests this often results in luggage being loaded last and unloaded first, reducing your wait at the carousel. Travellers should remove old tags to avoid confusion.
The most reliable way to bypass the carousel altogether is to travel with hand luggage only. Ensure your bag meets airline requirements: a personal item (typically 40x30x20cm) must fit under the seat, while cabin bags (up to 56x45x25cm, 10kg) go in overhead lockers. British Airways offers a generous allowance of one 23kg cabin bag plus a personal item.
