It takes two seconds, but it can make a difference—especially if your suitcase gets bumped, stacked, or moved quickly during loading.
Better Ways to Make Your Luggage Easy to Spot
If ribbons aren’t a great idea, what should you do instead?
A safer alternative is choosing luggage in a bold color or with a unique pattern. This makes your suitcase easy to identify without adding loose items that could interfere with scanning.
If you already own a black or navy suitcase, you can still personalize it in ways that don’t get in the way:
Use fabric paint for a small, flat design
Add flat decals that don’t dangle or cover important areas
Choose a suitcase cover that fits snugly and doesn’t hang loose
The goal is simple: make your bag recognizable without adding anything that could snag, hang, or confuse scanning systems.
Quick Takeaway
A ribbon on your suitcase might seem harmless, but airport staff say it can slow down automated scanning and push your bag into manual processing. Removing old stickers, being mindful with items like marzipan, placing your suitcase wheels-up, and choosing bold luggage colors are small changes that can help your trip go more smoothly—from check-in to baggage claim.
