23-05-2025
Why Is Everyone Going To Be Traveling With A Pillowcase This Summer?
A trending travel hack uses a pillowcase stuffed with clothes to sneak an extra carry-on past airline baggage limits, disguised as a travel pillow.
Flight attendants are aware of the trick and may flag oversized or oddly shaped pillows, especially on international flights or basic economy fares.
Even without the hack, a pillowcase is a smart travel essential—doubling as a laundry bag, makeshift beach tote, packing cube, or even a backup you see someone boarding a plane with a pillow in hand this summer… take a closer look. Thanks to a viral TikTok trend, travelers are discovering a clever way to get around stingy baggage policies, and as it turns out, a pillowcase is more useful than it might seem at first.
The hack: Instead of paying for a second carry-on or overstuffing your personal item, you fill a pillowcase with soft clothing (think T-shirts, swimsuits, or leggings) and bring it aboard disguised as a travel pillow. Most airlines don't count pillows toward your baggage allowance, so a well-stuffed pillowcase can sneak on as a bonus bag, no extra fee required.
But while this trick might work in some cases, don't assume it will go unnoticed. Flight attendants are paying attention—and they're well aware of trending 'hacks' like this one. According to John Paul "JP" Deveraux, a Delta Air Lines flight attendant with 10 years of experience, TikTok and other social media platforms have introduced a wave of behavior that can create conflict onboard, from this pillowcase hack to other antics like passengers booking the last row and sprinting off the plane before others when the seatbelt sign turns off.
Deveraux explains that while flight attendants are trained to be friendly and welcoming, they're also constantly scanning passengers and their carry-on items during boarding. That includes noting whether bags look too big for the overhead bins, whether someone has more than their allotted two items, or if something—like a suspiciously bulky pillowcase—raises questions about what's really inside.
While neck pillows are generally approved, Deveraux says full-sized pillows can be flagged as an additional item. 'A pillowcase stuffed with clothing takes a shape of its own, and can draw unwanted attention with its awkward shape,' he says. Even if you make it past the gate agent and the first crew member at the door, there are still other flight attendants onboard who may spot the extra item and intervene.
Still, even if you're never planning to sneak anything onboard, there's a strong case for packing an empty pillowcase. It takes up virtually no space, weighs next to nothing, and comes in handy in all kinds of situations, especially during summer travel.
Here are just a few of the ways seasoned travelers use a pillowcase on the go:
Laundry bag: Keep sweaty clothes or dirty socks separate from the rest of your stuff—no need for plastic grocery bags or hotel laundry sacks.
Beach tote liner: Toss it inside a straw bag to catch wet swimsuits, sandy sandals, or sunscreen bottles that might leak.
Neck pillow stand-in: Stuff it with a hoodie or scarf and use it as a softer, more hygienic pillow on long flights or road trips.
Packing cube alternative: Use it to corral small clothing items inside your suitcase for better organization.
Shoe bag: Slip your sneakers or sandals inside to protect your clean clothes from dirt.
Extra layer: In a pinch, it works as a head wrap, sun cover, or even a towel if you're at the beach or pool and need something to dry off with.
Some travelers even pack their own pillowcases for peace of mind at hotels or vacation rentals—a soft, familiar fabric from home can make unfamiliar bedding feel a little more comfortable.
If you're still tempted to try the hack, know that it might go over better on some airlines than others. Deveraux notes that U.S. carriers are generally more lenient with these kinds of items, but international carriers are likely to spot a misshapen pillowcase from a mile away. And even if they let you bring it on, there's still a chance they'll charge you for it at the gate.
You also run a bigger risk of having that pillowcase flagged if you're flying on a basic economy fare and boarding late in the process. Once the overhead bins are full, gate agents start checking all remaining bags—and if your pillowcase raises any red flags, it could be taken and checked to your final destination. That's not ideal if your clothes are just loosely tucked inside.
Deveraux's take: He'd much rather have his clothing safely enclosed in a suitcase than stuffed in an open pillowcase, especially if there's a chance it could be checked. A better bet for budget-conscious travelers is to look for a credit card that includes a free checked or carry-on bag, or to sign up for the airline's frequent flier program to unlock perks that help with baggage allowance.
Still, a spare pillowcase has tons of versatile uses for travel. And once you're onto the idea—even if you're not trying anything sneaky—you may never travel without one again.
Read the original article on Southern Living
