Latest news with #baggageclaim
Daily Mail
7 days ago
- General
- Daily Mail
Little-known hack to get your suitcase off the plane first revealed
After touching down from a flight, the last thing you need is to be stuck at baggage reclaim waiting for your luggage to arrive. With delays previously documented at UK airports by frustrated passengers, one handy hack has been revealed by an employee. Taking to Quora, the staffer, who works at a regional US airport, explained how being one of the last to drop your bags off is key. He said: 'Bags will always be loaded front to back on the bag carts so if you check in last your bags will be in the last bag cart.' This method could be considered risky though, as you run the chance of accidentally missing your flight's check-in closing time. But another tip is to ask the check-in or bag-drop agent to tag your bag with a priority or fragile sticker. Bags identified as fragile are often loaded last, and on top of other bags. They're also usually the first to be removed after landing. Travel expert Katy Nastro, from website Going, says becoming a frequent flier and earning status with an airline can help ensure your bag is one of the first to be offloaded. Katy explained how some airlines tag checked bags of elite passengers differently, making it clear to the system and staff to separate them. Jesse Neugarten, who is also an airline expert from Dollar Flight Club, said the guaranteed way to ensure your bag is the first off is to travel in First Class. He simply explains: 'Baggage for first-class passengers often travels on a separate cart and is sorted for fast delivery. 'It's one of the few consistent perks airlines still prioritise—and yes, it often works.'
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Travel + Leisure
02-06-2025
- Business
- Travel + Leisure
How to Get Your Luggage to Arrive First at Baggage Claim, According to Aviation Experts
After a long flight, the last thing anyone wants is to be stuck at baggage claim, watching dozens of suitcases circle by while yours is nowhere in sight. We've all been there—and it's never fun. Fortunately, there are ways to speed up the process and increase your bag's chances of coming out first. Airlines handle staggering volumes of luggage each day. For context, Delta handled 145 million checked bags last year; that breaks down to nearly 400,000 per day on average—an enormous number highlighting how complex and automated modern baggage systems are. While there's no surefire way to guarantee your suitcase is the first one on the carousel, there are a few smart strategies that can seriously improve your odds, says Dollar Flight Club founder Jesse Neugarten. But before diving into those, it's worth debunking one common myth: 'A lot of travelers believe that paying for checked luggage through a basic economy ticket somehow deprioritizes their bag,' Neugarten explains. However, in reality, that's not the case. 'Once the bag is in the system, how it's handled depends much more on when and how it's checked—not the fare class you booked.' Below, we're breaking down expert-approved strategies to boost your bag's chances of being among the first on the carousel. Jesse Neugarten is the founder of Dollar Flight Club, a subscription service that sends members alerts about major airfare drops and occasional mistake fares. Katy Nastro is a travel expert at Going (formerly Scott's Cheap Flights), a membership-based service that helps travelers find deeply discounted flight deals. "Many people don't realize how complex the belly of the checked luggage beast is," explains Katy Nastro, travel expert at Going (formerly Scott's Cheap Flights). "Intricate conveyor belts at some of the world's largest airports are controlled by systems to ensure passengers not only receive their luggage but, in some cases, get their bags first." While there's no guaranteed way to be first at baggage claim, Nastro notes that being a frequent flier or holding elite status is your best bet. Per the pro, airlines often tag these bags differently, making it easier for the system and baggage handlers to separate them. "And for loyalty members, this can be a nice perk—you don't always have to book a premium seat to benefit." Full flight? Take advantage of the opportunity to gate-check your carry-on bag for free, which Nastro describes as a potential "golden opportunity to not have to wait for your bag at the carousel." Keep in mind that gate checks with jet bridge pickup typically only happen on smaller domestic flights with limited overhead bin space. If your bag gets rerouted to baggage claim, gate-checking just before takeoff doesn't necessarily mean it will arrive any faster. Aerial view of luggage on an airport carousel. As he previously mentioned, there's no difference between how bags are treated for basic economy and economy ticket holders. But according to Neugarten, passengers flying in a premium cabin typically have their checked bags tagged as 'priority,' which means they're loaded last and among the first to be unloaded when you land. 'Baggage for first-class passengers often travels on a separate cart and is sorted for fast delivery,' he explains. 'It's one of the few consistent perks airlines still prioritize—and yes, it often works.' 'Even if you're flying economy, asking for a 'priority' tag—sometimes available at check-in for a fee or through certain credit cards—or a 'fragile' label can help,' says Neugarten. He tells Travel + Leisure that bags marked fragile are often placed on top of other luggage and loaded last, which means they're typically among the first to be unloaded upon landing. While it's not a guarantee, Neugarten calls it a low-effort way to potentially jump the line at baggage claim. 'A common misconception is that checking in early gets you better bag service,' says Neugarten. However, the opposite is often true: 'The earlier you check your luggage, the sooner it gets loaded—meaning it's more likely to come out last at baggage claim.' Bags checked closer to departure are typically loaded last and come off first. Just don't cut it too close—or you might miss your flight; many airlines require bags to be checked at least 45 minutes before departure now. When it comes to getting your bag quickly, airport size and efficiency definitely matter, says Neugarten—and the reasoning makes sense. 'Larger hub airports often have longer baggage processing times due to volume,' he explains. 'Smaller or newer airports with upgraded systems tend to deliver bags faster across the board.' So if you have a choice, opting for a smaller or more modern airport could help speed up your time at baggage claim.
