Flight attendants reveal the best packing tips for vacation – and why you shouldn’t fold clothes

Cabin crew members have shared their vacation packing tips and advice, including how to avoid overpacking and simple ways to make it a hassle-free process

packaging for public holidays can be a stressful affair. In fact, recent research has found that the whole process can actually put people off going on vacation!

For flight attendants, however, this is part of the job. After all, when you’re traveling the world you’ll be packing and unpacking a suitcase all the time, so there’s an incentive to learn how to make the process as smooth as possible.

Luckily for those of us who don’t regularly fly to the jet set, some Emirates cabin crew have shared some of the best hacks and secrets they’ve learned along the way.

Check out her top packing tips below…

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Make a list

Make a checklist of everything you need. Not only will this help you save time packing, but it can also reduce the risk of forgetting important things you need for your trip.

Roll your clothes instead of folding them

Try to roll your clothes tightly. Not only does this mean they are more compact and give you extra space, but this method can also help reduce wrinkles!

Pack versatile items

Go for clothing that’s flexible enough to cover a variety of situations, like jeans or plain t-shirts. It’s a simple yet effective way to cut down on the amount you ingest and leave yourself plenty of room for all the other essentials you need. (Or even for a holiday souvenir or two!).

Always leave extra space

You may not plan on picking up souvenirs, but you never know; If something catches your eye or you need to make an unexpected purchase, you don’t have to worry about packing everything in an already full suitcase.

use packing cubes

These can be an excellent way of compressing your clothes and accessories, maximizing space in your suitcase and also ensuring items don’t move around as much. You can also use them to organize your outfits to make unpacking quick and easy.

Carry your heaviest items

Do you need to bring a coat or jacket? Carry it when you travel instead of packing it in your suitcase. This can help save crucial space (and help limit the weight of your bag!).

Opt for refillable travel bottles

They’re good for the environment and prevent you from ingesting more product than you need. Just make sure to write them clearly – and use a permanent pen!

Avoid overpacking

First, only pack what you intend to use and stick to your checklist. Because if you need additional items or have forgotten something, these can usually be purchased at the travel destination anyway.

Do you have any practical packing tips? Let us know in the comments below.