A Baggage Handler Reveals Why You Should Never Tie a Ribbon to Your Suitcase

Many travelers tie a colorful ribbon, scarf, or piece of fabric to their luggage so it stands out on the baggage carousel. It seems like a clever trick—but according to some airport baggage handlers, it could actually cause unexpected problems.

Why can a ribbon become an issue?

Modern airports rely heavily on automated baggage handling systems. Before your suitcase is loaded onto a plane, it passes through scanners that read the barcode on the baggage tag.

If a ribbon, large bow, or other decoration covers part of the suitcase or interferes with the scanning process, the machine may fail to read the tag correctly. In some cases, the bag must be pulled off the automated system and processed manually.

That extra handling can increase the chances of delays and, in busy airports, may even increase the risk of your luggage missing the flight.

It’s not just ribbons

Large luggage straps, oversized decorative tags, loose cords, and bulky accessories can create similar problems if they interfere with scanners or become caught in conveyor belts.

Experts recommend keeping the outside of your suitcase as simple as possible.

Better ways to identify your luggage

Instead of tying on a ribbon, consider these safer alternatives:

• Choose a suitcase with a distinctive color or pattern.
• Use a brightly colored luggage cover designed to fit securely.
• Attach a standard luggage tag with your contact information.
• Place a unique sticker or small identification label on the suitcase.

These options make your bag easy to recognize without creating loose objects that could interfere with baggage handling equipment.

Another important travel tip

Before checking your luggage, remove old baggage tags from previous trips. Multiple barcodes can sometimes confuse automated systems and increase the chance of routing errors.

The bottom line

A ribbon on your suitcase probably won’t cause problems every time you fly, and many travelers use them without incident. However, baggage handlers say it’s one small habit that may increase the likelihood of delays if it interferes with airport scanning systems.

If you want your luggage to arrive as smoothly as possible, a secure luggage tag or a distinctive suitcase is generally a better choice than tying a loose ribbon to the handle.