If you’re about to buy a new suitcase or planning a big trip, you might want to rethink going with a standard colour. Airlines like Ryanair+ and travel experts warn that looking too typical could increase the odds your luggage ends up in the wrong hands—or gets lost altogether.
Why Colour Matters More Than You Think
- Nearly half of all suitcases are black: Brands such as Eminent report black suitcases make up about 40–45% of sales, with navy and grey also dominating airport conveyors. With so many identical bags at the carousel, mix-ups are easy and common.
- Ryanair flags these hues as riskier: The airline warns passengers against using black, navy, or grey suitcases as they're the most likely to be mistakenly picked up by someone else. These colours blend in and command less attention when queues are busy.
- Cost of mix-up can be steep: Losing or swapping luggage can mean hours of inconvenience, missing essentials, and potentially hundreds of dollars—or more—from insurance claims or replaced items. Studies confirm that financial and emotional costs escalate quickly.
Put a Little Colour Back into Your Life (and Bags)
For better visibility and less chance of mix-ups, travel professionals recommend using luggage in bright, distinctive colours. Shades like yellow, red, orange, green, or bright blue are less common and far easier to spot.
Even patterned or uniquely marked luggage—think bold florals, neon stripes, or checkered prints—can help you instantly locate your bag on busy carousels.
Tags, Ribbons & Trackers: Smart Extras That Make a Difference
- Colourful tags and ribbons: If you're using a darker suitcase, attach a bright tag, ribbon, or strap to your handle. It not only helps you spot it at baggage claim but also discourages others from grabbing it.
*Note: A recent warning advised against tying long ribbons to suitcases because they may interfere with automatic scanning systems—potentially causing your bag to miss its flight. Opt for a clipped luggage tag instead.
- GPS trackers: Slip in a small tracker like the Apple AirTag or Tile. This technology can alert you the moment your bag is tagged at check-in, loaded onto a plane, and when it’s unloaded—helpful if things go awry.
What the Experts Say
- Jamie Fraser, a travel expert, highlights a widespread issue: "Hard-sided black suitcases are extremely common and hard to differentiate. That means they're also more likely to go missing." He recommends arriving early and adding personalised identifiers—even if you must travel with dark-coloured luggage.
- Captain Adam Barr, a seasoned pilot, advises opting for bright luggage colours or decorating yours with vivid tags or stickers. He also supports using packing cubes—another effective travel hack.
The Colours You Should Avoid
- Black -Represents ~40–45% of all suitcases—hard to distinguish on the carousel.
- Grey - Blends easily into airport conveyor belts and neighbouring bags.
- Navy - Also very common—many travellers mistakenly pick up each other’s bags.
So What Should You Do Instead?
- Buy bright or bold luggage: It stands out instantly—less chance someone mistakes your bag for theirs.
- Personalise your bag: Even on a dark case, secure a distinctive ribbon, tag, band, or sticker.
- Avoid ribbons that hang: Use short clips or detachable tags to avoid interference with baggage scanning equipment.
- Stick in a tracker: Use tech to keep tabs on your luggage status throughout transit.
- Photo-check before checking: Snap a quick photo of your bag—including the tag—and its check-in tag. This helps if you need to file a complaint.
- Arrive early for check-in: Frazer advises doing so to ensure your bag is properly tagged and handled—especially crucial for common-coloured luggage. T
Final Takeaway
So, what colour suitcase should you never pick? Black, navy, or grey, especially in a common hard-shell variant. These colours are the most difficult to differentiate and are most frequently the subject of baggage mix-ups or misplacement.
Instead, choose bright, distinctive luggage—and add unique markers to older bags you’re keeping. These simple upgrades help you avoid lost baggage drama, speed up baggage claim, and turn what could be a travel nightmare into a seamless step off the plane.
