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When you decide to take an airplane to your destination, packing immediately becomes a priority. No longer can you simply throw things in a bag and be on your way. Space is at a premium with baggage fees, additional over-weight fees, and getting your items past security.

These air travel packing tips will (hopefully) help you prepare properly.

Air Travel Packing Tips:

Snake your belts and scarves – Make sure you take all long items such as belts, scarves and ties and wrap them around the outer perimeter of your clothes in the suitcase. This will ensure that they will not take up bulk in your suitcase and will stay unwrinkled as well. This quick and easy step can make a huge difference where space is concerned.

Always keep all your valuables in your carry on – This seems like a rather obvious tip but every year, countless people lose jewels, important papers, and various other valuables in lost luggage. Keep them with you and you have a much better chance of keeping them safe.

Label everything that you can – When you are going to stow away your luggage, it becomes very important that you label it. Luggage gets lost and a good labeling system can literally save you. Label the outside, inside, and anywhere else you can find with your contact information, flight number, destination, and your departing airport/city. This is the minimum amount of information. It is far better to be safe rather than sorry with this data.

An item that will help with having these important labels are these Travel Smart Leather Luggage Tags. They allow you to have your personal information on a tag with a protective flap for privacy.

Reconsider that shampoo – When you fly and have to pack luggage, the last thing you want is to have your clothes and things ruined by leaky shampoo or conditioner. Consider buying these things when you reach your destination or at least bag them in an air-tight container.

Film stays with you – With film you should always put it in your carry on. Film can be absolutely ruined by their scanners and x-ray machines. Always let them know when you have film and are passing through security.

Use the week-long list method – How often do you head out and forget something important on a long trip? If you are like most folks, it is a regular thing. Instead, start making a packing list a week out from your flight date. Add to the list every time you think of something new, and when the day comes you will have thought of everything.

What are your air travel packing tips?

You might also like my Five Reasons to Use Travel Size Food article.