Airline advisory not to use Black, Navy, or Grey Suitcases: Know why

Passengers using black, navy, or grey suitcases have been advised to take extra precautions when collecting their luggage, as Ryanair issues a warning to avoid confusion at baggage carousels. The airline, which transported 19.3 million passengers in June across 106,000 flights, recommended passengers avoid using luggage in these common colors.

In a statement, Ryanair emphasized the importance of identifying checked-in luggage, stating, “Make it easier to spot your checked-in luggage on the carousel, especially if your luggage is black, navy, or grey (like 99.9 percent of the population). Add a colourful luggage tag or ribbon to the handle so that there’s no confusion on arrival.”

While the advice to add a ribbon or tag for easy identification is widely accepted, some airport staff have raised concerns about the practice. A baggage handler from Dublin Airport cautioned that ribbons and other external items on suitcases could interfere with automatic scanners in baggage halls. The baggage handler also recommended removing old luggage stickers to avoid confusion during the scanning process.

Despite these warnings, Ryanair’s advice aims to ensure a smoother travel experience for passengers by helping them quickly identify their luggage in crowded areas.