Flight attendant issues baggage warning: Avoid carrying this type of suitcase when you travel next time

Many travellers spend a lot of time choosing clothes, gadgets and travel accessories before a trip, but often pay very little attention to the type of suitcase they carry. However, a cabin crew member with nearly a decade of flying experience says that one common luggage choice can make boarding more difficult, especially when it comes to fitting bags into overhead compartments. As per Emirates flight attendant Brittany James, the problem isn't always the size of the cabin bag—it is often the type of suitcase itself.

For many people, hard-shell cabin bags have become the preferred choice because they look modern and offer better protection. But Brittany says that when it comes to carry-on luggage, soft-shell suitcases usually make life much easier. Based on her years of experience working on flights, flexible luggage is often easier to fit into overhead lockers and helps avoid unnecessary delays while passengers search for space.

Her advice comes at a time when more airlines are becoming stricter about cabin baggage sizes and overhead bin space is limited. Choosing the right suitcase, she suggests, can make the boarding process smoother not just for passengers but also for cabin crew trying to manage luggage during busy flights.

Cabin crew member says soft-shell bags are easier to fit

Speaking to 9Travel, Brittany James, who has worked as a cabin crew member with Emirates for nine years, shared what she believes is one of the biggest carry-on luggage mistakes passengers make.

"It might be a little hack actually, because the hard suitcases, they're so much harder to fit in the overhead locker," she said.

"The softer ones are easier, because when you close them, they've got bit more room to move, whereas the harder ones if they are too big, it's not closing."

The flexibility of a soft-shell suitcase, she explained, allows it to adjust slightly when placed inside an overhead compartment. Even if the bag is packed full, the fabric can compress just enough to help the locker shut properly. A rigid hard-shell suitcase does not offer the same flexibility, making it more difficult to squeeze into tight spaces if it exceeds the available room.

Hard-shell suitcases can take up more overhead space

Brittany also pointed out another issue that often goes unnoticed by passengers. According to her, many hard-shell cabin bags cannot always be stored wheels-first, which is the preferred position in many aircraft overhead bins.

"Some of those hard ones, a lot of them don't fit this way [wheels first]. You have to put them [lengthwise] which takes up more space," she pointed out.

"That's when I think you have to accept the fact that maybe your luggage will not be directly above you."

When one suitcase occupies more space than necessary, it reduces the available room for other passengers' bags. As a result, cabin crew may have to place luggage in overhead lockers located several rows away from the passenger's seat. This can slow down boarding and also make it inconvenient when passengers are leaving the aircraft after landing.

Why she still uses a hard-shell suitcase sometimes

Despite recommending soft-shell bags for cabin luggage, Brittany does not completely avoid hard-shell suitcases. She says her own choice depends on the type and length of the trip.

For shorter journeys, she prefers a soft-shell suitcase because it is easier to handle and store inside the aircraft cabin. However, when travelling for longer periods and carrying more belongings, she switches to a hard-case suitcase because of its packing capacity.

"You can fit so much into them. But mine has a little Australian tag on it so that's how I identify it, because everyone's suitcase is black," she said.

Her comments suggest that while hard-shell luggage has advantages, travellers should consider where they plan to use it. For checked baggage, a hard-shell suitcase may be more practical, while a soft-shell bag could offer greater convenience as carry-on luggage.

Hard-shell vs soft-shell: What travel experts say

Brittany's advice also lines up with findings shared by Travel + Leisure, which recently compared the strengths and weaknesses of hard-side and soft-side luggage after testing more than 500 suitcases.

According to Travel + Leisure, hard-shell luggage is commonly made using materials such as polycarbonate, polypropylene, ABS plastic or aluminium. These materials are valued for their durability and ability to protect belongings during baggage handling, turbulence or bad weather. Polycarbonate offers excellent impact resistance, polypropylene is lighter in weight, while aluminium provides maximum protection but is also the heaviest and least flexible.

Hard-shell suitcases also have a clean, modern appearance and usually feature four spinner wheels that make them easy to move through airports. However, they are more likely to show scratches, dents and scuff marks over time, especially when used as checked baggage.

Soft-shell luggage offers flexibility and convenience

One of the biggest advantages of soft-shell luggage is its flexibility. Since the material has some give, travellers may find it easier to fit the suitcase into crowded overhead compartments. It can also be easier to squeeze in an extra item before closing the zip, something that is far more difficult with rigid luggage.

Soft-shell suitcases are generally lighter as well, making them a practical choice for travellers trying to stay within airline weight limits. Many models also include external pockets, allowing passengers to quickly access travel documents, chargers or other essentials without opening the entire bag.

However, experts also note that this flexibility can encourage overpacking. While the bag may still zip shut, it could become bulkier than intended, potentially creating problems if it exceeds airline cabin size restrictions.