Packing a carry-on bag may seem easy, but many travelers still make avoidable mistakes that cause delays, cost them money, or create unnecessary stress. CiCi, a flight attendant with more than six years of experience working for a major U.S. airline, shared the most frequent errors she sees passengers make — and how to avoid them. Her tips can help you pack smarter, save space, and avoid frustration at the airport.
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1. Overpacking Your Bag Beyond What You Can Lift
One of the most common mistakes is packing so much that the bag becomes too heavy to lift into the overhead bin. CiCi sees this every day — passengers struggle to hoist their own carry-on bags, often needing help from others or asking flight attendants to lift them. However, most airlines don’t allow flight attendants to lift passengers’ luggage for safety and liability reasons. If an attendant gets injured doing this, they might not be covered under workers’ compensation.
Travelers should always pack with their physical limits in mind. If you can't comfortably lift your suitcase above your head, you've packed too much. Check your airline’s carry-on weight limits — for example, Frontier and Hawaiian Airlines have specific rules — and consider using a luggage scale at home before heading to the airport. Lifting your own bag is your responsibility, and being prepared helps avoid hold-ups and potential injuries.
2. Bringing Too Many Bags on the Plane
Passengers frequently show up at the gate with three bags — a rolling suitcase, a backpack, and a purse — only to be told by airline staff that they must consolidate. Most airlines allow only one carry-on bag plus one personal item. Anything extra will either need to be crammed into an existing bag or checked, often at an added cost.
Trying to repack your belongings at the gate slows down the boarding process and can be stressful. To avoid this, plan ahead and use travel-friendly bags. A tote bag or a large backpack can hold many of the items you might otherwise keep in a purse or laptop case. Make sure everything fits within the size limits posted by your airline.
3. Packing Essentials in the Wrong Bag
Another frequent mistake is packing essential items — headphones, books, snacks, medications — deep inside a carry-on bag instead of the personal item that stays with you. CiCi says this leads to delays as people dig through overhead bins during boarding, blocking the aisle and causing hold-ups. It can also be dangerous to access overhead compartments in-flight, especially if turbulence has shifted the bags.
To avoid these problems, always pack essential items in your personal item — the bag you’ll store under the seat. This keeps everything within reach and avoids creating delays for others. Think ahead about what you’ll need during the flight, and make sure it’s easily accessible.
4. Poorly Packed Liquids That Leak
Many travelers forget that air pressure changes during flights can cause liquids in their bags to expand and leak. CiCi frequently sees passengers dealing with spilled shampoo, lotion, or other toiletries in their carry-on luggage. To prevent this, she recommends squeezing excess air out of bottles before sealing them and choosing screw-top containers over snap lids. Screw-top bottles are more secure and less likely to pop open mid-flight.
It’s also smart to pack liquids in a clear, resealable plastic bag to contain any mess and make TSA screening easier. Keep this bag in an accessible pocket of your suitcase to avoid delays at security checkpoints.
5. Forgetting a Reusable Water Bottle
Many passengers forget to bring a reusable water bottle, which leads them to overpay for drinks at the airport or skip hydration altogether. Staying hydrated is essential on flights — the Aerospace Medical Association recommends drinking at least 8 ounces of water per hour while flying. Airplane cabins have low humidity, which increases your risk of dehydration.
Although TSA prohibits bringing more than 3.4 ounces of liquid through security, empty or frozen water bottles are allowed. You can refill your bottle at a water fountain or hydration station once you pass through security. This not only keeps you hydrated but also saves money and reduces plastic waste.
6. Relying on In-Flight Snacks or Forgetting to Bring Your Own
CiCi says turbulence can disrupt in-flight service, leaving passengers without snacks or drinks for long stretches. On top of that, some budget airlines like Allegiant and Frontier no longer offer complimentary snacks or beverages. Passengers who don’t pack their own food may go hungry during a multi-hour flight.
To avoid this, bring your own snacks. Fruits like apples or oranges, small bags of nuts, crackers, and granola bars are all TSA-friendly and easy to carry. Having a few snacks on hand is especially important during summer months when turbulence is more likely due to heat-related weather patterns.
7. Packing Bulky Clothes Instead of Wearing Them
Many travelers waste space in their carry-on by packing heavy clothing, like boots or jackets, instead of wearing them. CiCi says she’s often surprised by how lightly dressed passengers are, even on long-haul international flights with limited luggage space. On a recent trip to Italy, she wore her heaviest boots, a thick sweater, and a rain jacket — even though she was flying out of hot, humid Florida. This saved her a lot of space and allowed her to bring more outfits.
You don’t need to be uncomfortable, but wearing your bulkiest items — especially shoes and outerwear — is a simple way to create more room in your bag. Once you're on board, you can remove the layers and store them in the overhead bin or on your lap.
Small changes in how you pack can lead to a much smoother airport and flying experience. Don’t assume you’ve packed right just because everything fits in your bag. Think about access, comfort, safety, and airline rules. Plan ahead, stay organized, and keep essentials within reach. With these habits, you’ll board faster, avoid baggage issues, and travel like a seasoned flyer.
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