Luggage tips: ‘Won’t fit’: The popular carry-on suitcase style flight attendant says to avoid

When you’re choosing luggage, everyone has their own preferences.

Soft or hard? Backpack or wheelie bag? Two wheels or four? Most of the time, there isn’t really a correct answer, just what works for you.

But when a flight attendant pinpoints a specific suitcase style to avoid, you know it’s time to pay attention.

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Unrecognizable woman packing luggage in log cabin, sitting on floor — How do you choose your luggage? (Getty)

US-based flight attendant Amanda says when you’re buying a new carry-on bag, there are a few things to look out for.

“Soft-sided luggage with smaller wheels is going to be your best bet,” she told the hosts of #Millennial podcast.

But, never buy a bag with an expanding pocket, where you can unzip the middle part and it pops open for more storage, she said.

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It’s a quick way to make sure your bag never fits in the overhead bins.

“Everyone thinks they’re not going to need to use [the expansion] and then they do, and then the suitcase won’t fit in the overhead bin,” Amanda said.

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Stock photo showing close-up view of row of carryon luggage overhead baggage compartments in an airplane cabin with beautiful red haired woman putting away her suitcase. — If your bag can expand, it may not fit. (Getty)

Amanda, who has worked as a flight attendant for three years, also recommended that people just check their luggage to make things easier, especially if it doesn’t cost any extra.

“I think people are afraid to check their bags. There’s this misconception that it’s going to take forever to come out at baggage claim or that it’s going to be lost.”

She points out that a lot of airlines will incentivise you to check your luggage at the gate, especially on full flights.

If you’re given this option, always take it, she recommended.

“It’s not getting lost anywhere on the carousel, or on the carts on the way to the plane. And then it’s usually one of the first ones to get off, because it’s one of the last ones loaded.”

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Check your luggage at the gate if given the option. (Getty)

Amanda said luggage being lost happens way less than people worry about – plus with Airtags and other trackers, it’s easier to locate your bags in case something does go wrong.

And, there are ways to minimise the chances of your suitcase going missing.

Melbourne-based travel expert Rhiannon Taylor previously told 9Travel that she always removes any old airline stickers from her suitcase before packing.

“I like having the latest flight tags clear, front and centre,” she told us.

Baggage luggage at airport arrival carousel with passengers patiently awiating to claim theirs — Remove any old stickers before you fly. (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

She also says having a few unique tags on your bag can help so no-one else picks it up by mistake.

“Travellers are so on trend now and you’ll see lots of the same bags in the same colour ways on the luggage belt so having some unique identifying tags really helps,” Rhiannon explained.