So, you’ve made your decision to buy your luggage. Do you know if your airline will allow you to check-in your luggage or not?
The global aviation industry cater to 2.2 billion passengers every year. That’s a staggering figure.
You don’t want your luggage damaged or lost during one of your trips, so do ensure you acquaint yourself with the kind of luggage your airline actually allows so that your travels are hassle-free.
There are different types of luggage to consider, but for now, let’s mention about hard or soft luggage.
Hard or Soft: Which is the pick?
Most travelers prefer soft-side luggage for short-distance domestic travel and hard-side luggage for long international flights. You might also consider the brand and its quality, reliability, prices, and requirements. But what if your luggage doesn’t meet the airline’s criteria and requirements? Don’t worry, we have got you covered.
Now, airlines have standardized rules for the size and weight of luggage, and if you don’t want to hurt your wallet too much, you must get the exact size and weight of luggage to meet your airline’s criteria, and avoid paying extra for oversized or overweight luggage at the airport.
Hard-side luggage is popular among those who frequent international travel due to its durability and reliability, and soft-side bags are top choice for those what want to keep light luggage. If you plan on packing heavy tech gear, you must opt for hard-side luggage because they can survive rough handling and wear and tear of traveling.
Usually, soft-side travel bags are lighter than hard-side bags, but now, modern hard cases are made of premium and lighter material that makes your luggage sturdy yet lighter. It may cost you more than soft-side luggage, though, so if you’re on a budget, steer clear of the hard cases.
Airlines generally do not have a preference when it comes to hard or soft luggage. Nor do they care about whether or not you have a rollaboard vs spinner luggage. They do, however, care about the size and weight of your luggage.
Here are some aspects your airline focuses on while handling luggage:
Durability
Airlines usually prefer sturdy and hard-side luggage that can withstand rough handling during flight. This is where hard-side luggage outperforms the soft-side luggage since you can easily pack fragile and valuable accessories without breaking a sweat about their security and safety.
Airlines will never be responsible for any damaged or lost item during check-in. So, try to get products from the best luggage brands because they are known to be more durable.
Security
Be mindful of checking the security options and standards while purchasing luggage, before you book an international flight. Whether you go for hard or soft luggage, do ensure it is damage and theft-proof. You will find several luggage brands for different types of luggage with strong interlocking zippers and TSA-approved combination locks to maintain security. Look for solid zippers to avoid any unforeseen issues during flight.
It would be wise to learn how to get a zipper back on track if you have any stuck zippers in your luggage.
Organization
If you want to have an easy access to your belongings, your luggage must be well-organized. Be on the lookout for luggage with well-designed compartments and pockets. Ideally, they should be spacious and have extra mini-pockets or packing cubes to keep essentials safe and sound. Such options are available in soft-side luggage, where you can easily access your belongings like your smartphone and charger that you might need frequently.
Having multiple pockets in your luggage is also helpful if your luggage exceeds the weight limit, so you can easily identify the items you need to pack and get rid of, and save time.
Mobility
Carrying a heavy luggage is a challenge. This is where, a luggage with wheels comes to your rescue.
You can opt for a Rollaboard or Spinner travel bag to ensure smooth movement at the airport. The choice is yours. You will often find soft luggage with two wheels and hard-side luggage with four wheels. Hard-side spinners are very flexible with strong wheels that can rotate 360 degrees and you can drag them wherever you want. Whereas soft-side rollaboard luggage can be pulled from the backside but you have to be careful if you carry an overweight rollaboard luggage. Otherwise, you’ll regret your choice.
Luggage Size and Weight
Airlines check the luggage size when you go through the check-ins at departure. This is why it is so important for you to be aware of the airline policies and check out the largest luggage sizes allowed for check-ins. There is a different policy for large and small luggage, irrespective of whether it is hard-shell luggage or soft-shell luggage. You must follow the airline luggage policies and restrictions for the size requirements, whether for a large, checked luggage or a small carry-on.
If you are going on a trip for a long duration, we recommend taking large-sized luggage with multiple compartments to keep your items organized. Alternatively, you can take carry-on luggage for a short trip and only pack essential items. Be careful to check and measure the luggage size and dimensions before making a purchase. Hand carry is perfect choice for you, it can fit in overhead compartments or under-seat spaces available on the plane.
Apart from the luggage size, luggage weight is one of the most important aspects that airlines care about. You should weigh the luggage once everything is sorted and packed. Do it a couple of times before you head to the airport, to avoid any last-minute hiccups.
Luggage Design
Okay, this is absolutely a personal preference and not something your airline cares much about. We recommend finding luggage with a stylish design. There are a variety of options available with color schemes and designs that you may prefer to buy.
You might want something that stands out so it is easier to spot on the conveyor belt. Gone are the days of archaic, black-colored luggage. You can use a particular tag to make your luggage stand out from the rest.
Conclusion
If you follow our advice on what an airline checks about your luggage, you will make an informed decision about what luggage to carry on flight.
Airlines are not concerned about the hard-side or soft-side of luggage, but it will bode well for you if your luggage is sturdy and not prone to damage during long-haul flights.
Airlines do particularly focus on the size and weight of your luggage. The hard-side and soft-side suitcases are slightly different in design, size, weight, quality, material, and durability, thus significantly influencing your decision to travel with a soft or hard luggage.
Travelers must confirm the actual size and weight of the luggage before boarding to prevent any on-flight hassles. Whether you pick hard or soft luggage for international travel, choose one that is lightest, and follow the guidelines that airlines have in place for your baggage.
Do ensure that your luggage is not larger than 62 linear inches, and if you’re having trouble figuring that out, then check out our guide on how to measure luggage size.
FAQ’s
Is hard or soft luggage better for air travel?
In all honesty, neither one is better or worse. You will find a number of online reviews that testify to the use of hard luggage for air travel. You may find an equal number of reviews for the latter. In reality, airlines do not have a preference. They are concerned about the size and weight of your luggage as opposed to the material used to make it.
What is the best type of luggage to take on a plane?
This is also highly debatable. In general, people agree that hard-side luggage is better when you want to protect your belongings. On the other hand, people prefer soft side luggage if they like to have more space to keep some extra items.
What type of suitcase not to use?
There are different types of luggage you can opt for. Your luggage must come with wheels, zippers, and straps to ensure convenience. For instance, luggage with small wheels is prone to damage. You should also check out the seams and stitching to ensure there everything is in order.
Do hard suitcases crack easily?
Unfortunately, yes! Hard luggage can crack and be worn out easily. This, however, does depend on the quality of the hard luggage you have purchased. Being prone to cracking is one of the reasons why people prefer soft luggage instead of hard luggage since it is more durable.
