For those who are stressed, every second you wait at the baggage carousel feels like an eternity. Time is precious, so here are tips on how to get to your luggage, and thus to your destination faster!

1. check in luggage later

The baggage carts are loaded from the front to the back, because there must be more weight in the front. If the check-in happens later, the suitcase lands at the back of the luggage cart and is thus the last to be loaded onto the plane and one of the first to be unloaded. This tactic increases the likelihood that you will get your suitcase back faster than others. However, this trick only works at airports that still load luggage by hand.

2. do not land in rush hour

There is a particularly large amount of luggage to manage during rush hour. At this time, an increased passenger volume and longer waiting times are to be expected. Therefore, avoid landing in the late morning.

3. fly first class

A trick that may not always be feasible for everyone, but it certainly works: fly first class. This luggage is always loaded and unloaded first.

4. fly with hand luggage only

If you are in a hurry to get to your destination, it is best to save time checking in your luggage and travel with hand luggage only. With Lufthansa for example, the dimensions are 55 x 40 x 23 cm. You will be surprised how many belongings you can take, even equipped only with hand luggage. This simply requires the right technique when packing your suitcase! 

5. Luggage recognition factor

Anyone who has ever waited for their suitcase at the airport knows this situation. At the baggage carousel they discover their suitcase much too late and therefore don't react fast enough to get their piece of luggage from the baggage carousel. Then you have to watch it make a second round. To avoid this situation in the future, get yourself an easily recognizable suitcase, one that stands out. For example, one with a bright color, a fancy pattern or a surface structure that catches the eye.

6. remove used baggage tags

Your luggage should be free of old luggage tags and barcode stickers from previous trips, otherwise the wrong code will be scanned at the airport and the suitcase will be sent to the old destination. This costs not only time but also nerves.