How to Pack a Suitcase for Travel: 9 Helpful Tips from Flight Attendants

That’s why we’ve gathered some tips from people who pack at least three times a week and sometimes move from summer to winter just as often. Here’s what they recommend.

Packing cubes and compression bags aren’t just a social media trend: flight attendants are calling them not only useful, but essential for frequent flyers.

“The compression cubes allow me to pack so much more—they can basically fit all my clothes for a three-week trip to Europe in my carry-on,” says flight attendant Liz, known on TikTok as @Wanderlizst.

“I bought a set of six packing cubes a long time ago and have been using them on my long trips ever since—these organizers are a game changer. The key is to fold your clothes so they don’t get too wrinkled,” says flight attendant Selena Chu.

Compression cubes are designed very simply – in fact, these are ordinary “cosmetic bags” for a suitcase, which are equipped with an additional function that allows you to reduce their size due to pressure. This is usually done with the help of two zippers: the first closes the organizer, the second compresses it, making it more compact.

Imagine you arrived at your destination, checked into a hotel, got ready to take your first walk, opened your suitcase and discovered that all your belongings were filled with some kind of liquid.

“Make sure you have a waterproof cosmetic bag – it will protect you from such incidents. I also advise you to never take bottles filled to the brim with liquids, they can leak due to pressure,” says Asimina Plessia, a VIP cabin stewardess.

“The military has been rolling its clothes for years—it’s a method that’s been tested more than once or twice. With this trick, I can fit almost twice as much stuff in my bag, and it’s much less wrinkled,” says Selena Goody, a flight attendant and travel blogger.

One of the most unpleasant events that can happen while traveling is losing your suitcase during a flight. You can minimize the damage of such an incident by putting all your valuables – money, personal documents, expensive gadgets, jewelry – in your hand luggage.

“I also recommend adding a change of clothes just in case—this will not only help if your suitcase gets lost, but also when you have to wait for the room to be ready for check-in. For example, if I’m going to a place with a pool, I’ll put a swimsuit and a cover-up in my carry-on so I can quickly pull them out without digging through my suitcase, changing clothes, and sitting on a lounge chair by the water,” Selena says.

“Firstly, these are usually the bulkiest items: removing them from your suitcase will save space. Secondly, the cabin can be cool – in this case, the ideal option would be a lightweight and compact down jacket that will fit even in a small bag,” explains Plessia.

“I always take warm clothes with me, even in summer. You never know what’s coming, so it’s best to have a thin, warm sweater or sweatshirt with you, so you don’t have to buy them on site,” Selena adds.

No, this isn’t a prep for a sudden funeral – just the black light goes with everything. “It’s both casual and formal, so you can’t go wrong. Especially for travel, I chose a black dress, sandals and boots that go with both day and evening outfits – they made it really easy to choose clothes for different occasions,” Goody says.

Read also: The Sea is Calling: 10 Things You’ll Need on Your Trip

“Every seasoned traveler knows to bring an extra bag in case you need to buy something during your trip,” says flight attendant Shannon Ichio Ueda. The girl herself uses a thin, foldable nylon travel bag: “It’s lightweight, compact, and at the same time very spacious,” Shannon says.

According to Selena, this is the ultimate shoe set: there’s a pair for every occasion. “Flip-flops are a great item to have: they don’t take up much space and are perfect for the beach, worn with shorts or skirts, or as hotel slippers. Also, get a nice pair of flats that will pair perfectly with pants and dresses and are comfortable enough to walk around town in. Finally, for long walks, bring a pair of running shoes,” advises Goody.

“People think they’re super durable, but in reality, hard-shell suitcases are more vulnerable than soft-sided suitcases: they can crack from impact or the weight of other bags in your luggage. Plus, hard-shell suitcases are great for sliding around on trolleys used to transport luggage from plane to plane or to baggage claim. If your bag falls, it’s lost for hours – I’m sure you don’t want to lose it,” Selena says.

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