Why a ribbon on your suitcase might be a bad idea? An expert explains the risks and safe alternatives
When we travel, the smallest details can make a surprising difference—especially when it comes to our luggage. One of the most common habits among travelers is tying a colorful ribbon or strap onto their suitcase to spot it faster on the carousel. It seems harmless, even practical. But according to airport insiders and baggage-handling experts, this simple habit could actually create problems that lead to delays, mishandling, or even lost luggage.
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Most travelers think nothing of tying a ribbon, scarf, or colorful tag onto their suitcase. It feels like a smart trick—an easy way to spot your bag among hundreds of identical black cases. But according to airport professionals, this common habit may be creating more problems than it solves. What looks like a harmless accessory can interfere with airport machinery, confuse automated scanners,
and even increase the chances of your luggage going missing.
Behind every smooth flight is a massive, fast-moving baggage system that depends on precision. Even a small obstruction can disrupt the scanners that sort bags at lightning speed. And while travelers may never see these issues firsthand, airport workers know just how easily a ribbon can slow down, misroute, or even stop a bag from reaching its destination.
Why a ribbon on your suitcase might be a bad idea? An expert explains the risks and safe alternatives.
A travel expert explains why tying a ribbon to your bag is a bad idea.
Can a colored ribbon really harm your luggage? While it may seem like a minor detail, experienced airport workers warn that this popular identification trick can cause more trouble than good.
Why do travelers tie ribbons?
Many passengers tie ribbons, key rings, or other decorations to their suitcases to identify them more quickly on the baggage carousel. This is understandable, especially when most of their luggage is a similar, dark color. However, as travel expert and former airport employee Michał Kowalski explains, this practice can impact the security and on-time delivery of baggage.
Disrupting the Scanning Process
“Modern baggage sorting systems rely on automatic scanning of barcodes found on airline labels,” says Kowalski. “If the ribbon obscures the label or gets caught on the belt, the bag can be held for manual processing. This delays the process and increases the risk of the bag not arriving on time for the flight.”
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