If you’ve ever had a tough time getting your carry-on bag into an annoyingly small overhead compartment, had to rearrange your belongings because your bag was too heavy, or even lost your luggage, then you might be familiar with luggage rage.

For those unaware: Airlines have entered a new era of greed, focusing heavily on your baggage. This year, many domestic airlines have raised their checked bag fees, citing “increased costs.” They’ve also begun enforcing stricter carry-on rules.

The consequence: More airline travelers are outraged, compelled to either downsize their bags or pay extra fees.

This phenomenon is referred to as luggage rage.

“Passenger frustration over airline baggage policies has risen,” stated Jonathan Marsico, CEO of Ship&Play, a luggage delivery service. He noted an alarming rise in lost luggage incidents and a spike in suitcase shipping demands.

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In a 2023 report from SITA, an IT service provider, there was a significant rise in mishandled baggage, with airlines misplacing nearly 7.6 bags per 1,000 passengers – up almost 75% from the previous year. Moreover, Marsico mentioned that luggage shipping requests climb by approximately 40% annually.

The situation is even more dire. Numerous accounts indicate that travelers are having luggage-related meltdowns, and while the reasons are clear, solutions are still hard to find. Even those who prefer to travel light still need to take some luggage.

‘People were upset’

Kelly Hayes-Raitt shared a recent airport encounter she experienced while flying with a budget airline from Paris to Los Angeles with a layover in Reykjavik, Iceland. She pointed out that her carry-on fit perfectly in the overhead bin during the first leg of her journey on a smaller airplane belonging to the same airline.

“However, after we landed in Reykjavik, the gate staff demanded 60 euros (around $66) to bring the same suitcase onto the larger transatlantic flight,” she recounted. “People were furious, but they felt they had no choice but to comply.”

One young woman declined to pay. Choosing the low-cost airline for savings, she was visibly distressed and began angrily unpacking her bag, tossing her belongings into the trash without care.

Hayes-Raitt, an author residing in Lisbon, decided to compress her luggage into a smaller carry-on instead of giving in to what she deemed a “shakedown.”

What causes luggage rage among passengers?

Luggage rage arises from multiple factors. New federal policies require airlines to transparently disclose all fees upfront, leading to increased costs for both checked and carry-on bags along with stricter enforcement of these rules. As planes are running at full capacity this year, travelers find themselves in cramped spaces while receiving bare minimum service.

“The aircraft cabin can be an intense and vulnerable environment, making it more likely for people to lose their tempers compared to other settings,” explained Jay Ternavan, founder of Jayway Travel.

Psychologist Thomas Plante from Santa Clara, California, recalled a frustrating experience upon arriving in San Francisco from Dublin. His luggage was delayed due to staffing issues at the airport.

“It was incredibly irritating,” he remarked. “People were losing their patience.”

And, understandably so! After spending 11 hours in the air and paying $30 for each piece of luggage, they faced another hour and a half of waiting.

The most severe frustrations seem to happen on international flights where budget airlines impose ridiculous size and weight limits to extract more fees from passengers. It’s been reported that some travelers have resorted to damaging their luggage – removing wheels from their carry-ons or cutting off straps and handles from backpacks to fit the requirements.

This spectacle isn’t ever subtle, either. Frustrated travelers often disfigure their belongings right before fellow passengers as if their actions might somehow persuade the airline to reconsider its policies. Spoiler alert: it doesn’t.

Tips to prevent luggage rage

Don’t let yourself become an example on your next flight. Here are some strategies to avoid luggage rage:

◾ Understand the rules.

Airline regulations regarding baggage can differ widely. Regions like Southeast Asia and Australia enforce stricter rules. I recall an experience with a budget airline in Australia where the ticket agent charged me an additional $80 for being just under a pound overweight. Naturally, I repacked. You can always check your airline’s website for detailed baggage rules. Also, keep in mind that most countries operate on the metric system, so make sure to convert your measurements accordingly.

◾ Travel light – really light. Embrace a minimalist packing approach. Experts suggest avoiding giving airlines any opportunity to charge you for your belongings. Ideally, you should aim to fit everything into a compact, regulation-sized carry-on. However, don’t gamble with this. “If you haven’t realized by now that your oversized carry-on won’t fit in the overhead bin, I’m not sure where you’ve been for the last ten years,” said travel advisor Kimberly Davis.

◾ Steer clear of the biggest offenders. Which airlines might hit you with extra luggage fees? These are known as “ancillary revenue champs” – carriers that excel at extracting every possible cent from passengers. To simplify, any airline dubbed as an “ultra-low fare” or “discount” carrier may lead to unexpected luggage frustrations. You might be better off flying with a more established airline that tends to have fairer policies. Some even include checked bags in their ticket prices.

According to California psychologist Plante, adopting a different perspective is key to avoiding frustration. “Adjust your expectations,” he advised.

Luggage frustrations may intensify

The challenge is that airlines have nearly tapped out the options for generating extra revenue from passengers. The current trend appears to be ramping up the aggressive sale of duty-free goods and encouraging credit card applications that earn them revenue – both of which are unlikely to resonate effectively.

This leaves them with no choice but to increase baggage fees and impose stricter limits on cabin baggage. Consequently, we may see more outbursts, emotional reactions, and frustrated travelers discarding unwanted items at the airport. If you’re carrying a lot of luggage, prepare to face the consequences.

There’s no denying it: in the struggle against luggage frustrations, the true victors are those who have mastered the skill of traveling light.