Flight attendants share 7 things to keep in mind when packing

A group of flight attendants have revealed their top vacation packing tips, explaining why clothes shouldn’t be folded.

With countless documents to sort out and accommodation to book, getting ready for a trip is no easy task – and packing your bags doesn’t make the process any easier.

In fact, The Mirror revealed that this stressful affair can actually put people off going away for some time.

Luckily, a number of Emirates cabin crew have shared a few tips and tricks they have learned along the way to ensure the packing process goes much smoother.

Make a list

If you’ve ever travelled or have stayed somewhere for a while, chances are in the midst of rushing you’ve also forgotten to pack an item or two.

Here, the professionals recommended to jot down a list of things you will need throughout the trip.

Not only will this reduce the risk of leaving essentials behind but will also help you save crucial time packing.

Don’t fold your clothes

Folding your garments seems only natural – but, according to the cabin crew members, it’s a big mistake when packing for a vacation.

Instead, they suggested rolling the clothing tightly – this will make them more compact and give you extra space in the bag.

They also claimed that this method can help you avoid, or at least cut down on, creasing.

Versatile is a must

There’s no denying that in all the hurry it’s tempting to throw just about everything hanging in your wardrobe.

But unless you’re willing to spend extra money to upgrade for a larger bag or pay a fee at the airport, it’s best to pack only the very essentials.

The Emirates staff suggested opting for garments that can easily be dressed either up or down and will cover a variety of situations.

Their best picks include jeans and plain T-shirts.

Leave extra space

When sorting the bag, most of us – especially fashionistas – will pack it full to the brim.

However, the flight attendants suggested, travelers should always leave some extra space.

Although it’s not crucial, you might fall in love with a dangly souvenir or a chic silk scarf which you now won’t have the room for.

Packing cubes

Compressing the pile of clothes you’re planning to take with you and maximizing the space in your suitcase, packing cubes can be a worthwhile investment.

Not only will these save crucial space but can also be used to organise outfits and will ensure the packed garments don’t move around as much.

Wear the heaviest items

If you’re planning to go somewhere where the climate is not so warm and will need a jacket or a coat to keep you toasty, the crew insisted on wearing it on-board.

This will both give you some extra space and will also help with the bag’s weight limit.

Refillable travel bottles

As the world is heading towards an ecological crisis, many have already swapped daily favorites for more sustainable alternatives, and here reusable bottles are a must.

When traveling, there are also countless of things to make your airtime more eco-friendly, with refillable travel bottles being one of the options.

These are also good for when you don’t need to take as much shampoo or conditioner with you.

Overpacking is a no-no

Most of us have packed a handful of ”just in case” items at least once, leaving you with a suitcase that’s a couple of pounds heavier than the allowed limit.

But the flight attendants explained vacationers should pack only what they intend to use throughout the trip and stick to the checklist.

Plus, they reminded, if you have come to realize you’ve forgotten something, most of the time this can be purchased at the travel destination anyway.

This story originally appeared on The Sun and was reproduced here with permission.