Do Airlines Prefer Hard or Soft Luggage?

When it comes to selecting the perfect luggage for your travels, a very common question that may come to mind is: do airlines really prefer hard or soft luggage? As a wise traveler, it becomes essential to consider this issue to ensure a hassle-free trip.

In this detailed guide, we’ll take you to the fascinating world of hardside and softside luggage, examine the airlines’ preferences, and help you make the right choice for your upcoming journey.

We’ll also take a closer look at the advantages and disadvantages of both types of luggage and compare their differences. Additionally, you’ll also come to know which type of luggage is perfect for check-in and carry-on.

So, get ready to join us on this exploration journey. By the end of this guide, you’ll have all the required information so that you can make the correct decision.

Do airlines prefer hard or soft luggage?

Honestly, the topic “Do airlines prefer hard or soft luggage?” is not a matter of discussion; what actually matters is what luggage you yourself prefer to carry and feel comfortable with when traveling by air.

However, there are some important factors that you should consider before making any final decisions. These factors include material quality, maneuverability, sturdiness, comfortability, and features.

Besides these factors, you should also consider what type of belongings you’ll be carrying in your luggage, whether they’re fragile and precious items or normal items such as clothes, shoes, socks, etc.

In addition to that, you must also take travel distance and duration into consideration so that you can make the perfect decision and don’t end up buying the wrong luggage, whether it be hardside or softside.

Make sure you choose a suitcase with great build quality and go with a well-established and trusted brand like Samsonite, Delsey, etc.

Recommended for you: What is 62 Linear Inches Luggage Rule by Airlines?

Is hard luggage better than soft luggage?

Now that you know that airlines have no preferences or restrictions about hard or soft luggage, you may still have some doubts in your mind about which type of luggage you should choose. Is hard luggage better than soft luggage? Don’t worry at all; now I’ll take you through the ups and downs of both types of luggage so that you can make a final decision.

When it comes to choosing the perfect luggage for your travels, let me tell you that hardside luggage is known for being the guardian of fragile and precious belongings. Hardside luggage often comes with water-resistant capability. Because you have great hardside luggage material, your luggage won’t be affected by adverse weather conditions, and your belongings will stay safe and protected.

The other important benefit of having hardside luggage is its cleaning process. Hardside luggage comes with smooth surfaces that make cleaning a breeze. You won’t have to make hard efforts to clean it when you’re done with your travels.

Notably, airport inspectors who witness how baggage is handled at airports often recommend using hardside luggage because they know the potential risks of theft and mischief with your luggage. They always prioritize the durability and great security offered by hardshell luggage.

It’s highly recommended that you go with polycarbonate luggage. You can also have a look at aluminum suitcases. They are more durable and sturdy, but the problem with aluminum luggage is that it’s way heavier and more costly than polycarbonate luggage. I’ve done an in-depth comparison of both the polycarbonate and aluminum luggage material.

So I’d suggest you go with a polycarbonate suitcase such as Samsonite Omni PC, Samsonite Winfield 2, or Delsey Helium Aero.

Now let’s talk about softside luggage. softside luggage material come with different types of advantages, particularly because they are known for their lightweight properties and are more flexible than hardside luggage. Because they are extremely flexible, they are more convenient for fitting into tight spaces or overhead compartments.

Generally, softside luggage offers better organization capability than hardside luggage due to the external pockets. And because of its better organization and lightweight properties, softside luggage has gained more popularity among airline personnel and frequent travelers.

Let me tell you that there is a dedicated brand that, most of the time, makes softside luggage targeting airline personnel and crews. That brand is none other than Travelpro. Because cabin crew members and people working at airports often prefer having softshell luggage to enhance organization,

Benefits and Drawbacks of Hardside Luggage

Advantages:

• Superior Protection: Hardside luggage is known for its build quality and better protection for fragile or expensive items. Whether you’re planning for short travel or long travel, you can ensure your belongings are perfectly secure.
• Enhanced Security Features: Due to its durable construction and integrated lock system, it enhances security and provides peace of mind by reducing the risk of theft or unauthorized access.
• Water-Resistant: Most hardside luggage comes with water-resistant capability and offers better protection for your belongings even in adverse weather conditions.
• Easy to Clean: Hardside luggage, undoubtedly, is easier to clean than softside luggage. You just have to put in a little effort to clean it up. Hardside luggage’s soft surfaces make the cleaning process easier.
• Look and Appearance: Another important benefit you get from hardside luggage is its appearance. Generally, hardside luggage seems more premium than softside luggage, enhances your style of travel, and makes you stand out from the crowd.
• Design and Colors: You should always choose a suitcase that is unique in look and design. This is because your luggage could stand out from the crowd and be easy to spot on the baggage carousel. And fortunately, hardside luggage comes in plenty of colors and designs, so you can easily find the one you like.

Disadvantages:

• Slightly Heavier: Hardside luggage, specifically polycarbonate luggage, is most of the time slightly heavier than softside luggage. This extra weight is because of its sturdy frame and utilized material.
• Limited Flexibility: Compared with softside luggage, hardside luggage offers less flexibility; you can rarely pack anything beyond its designated capacity.
• Difficult to Fit in Tight Spaces: Because it is less flexible and has a rigid frame, hardside luggage is difficult to squeeze into tight spaces such as overhead compartments.
• Items Difficult-to-Access: As you may be aware, generally no exterior quick-access pockets come with hardside luggage, which is why you’ll have to put all of your belongings inside your luggage. Whenever you need anything from your items while traveling, each time you’ll have to open the zipper, which is really frustrating.

Also read: Are Luggage Covers Allowed By TSA

Benefits and Drawbacks of Softside Luggage

Advantages:

• Easy to Squeeze: This is really one of the most beloved qualities of softside luggage. You’ll realize the importance of this quality when you don’t have enough space and want to put your hardside luggage. Softside luggage is really easy to squeeze with little effort and can fit anywhere with little space, especially in the overhead compartments.
• Better Organization: Another quality of softside luggage is the capability of the organization. Generally, softside luggage comes with plenty of pockets, some inside and some outside, that help you organize things better. There are two and sometimes three exterior pockets on every softside suitcase.
• Great Flexibility: Flexibility is another factor that may attract you or someone who tends to pack more. While packing your belongings, you might need more space. Softside luggage will definitely help you pack your belongings without adding an extra piece of luggage to your list.
• Lightweight: Every traveler wants to have lightweight luggage so that he does not cross the weight restriction and pack more. Here comes the softside luggage into play; softside luggage is generally lighter than hardside luggage, especially polycarbonate hardside luggage.

Disadvantages:

• Absorb Water and Smells: One of the biggest drawbacks of softside luggage is its inability to be fully water-resistant. Unlike hardside luggage, softside luggage protects your belongings from rain or water to a certain level, and then it won’t be able to protect them similarly if not cared for properly. It also absorbs some sort of smell with time, especially in the rainy season, and that smell is really frustrating.
• Less Security: If you’re planning to pack any fragile or precious item in your luggage, you need to think again, as softside luggage may not protect your belongings as well as hardside luggage can.
• Weaker Protection: When it comes to protection, hardside luggage works better than softside luggage. This is because an ambitious thief can cut through the cloth and cause you great harm. And of course, you don’t want that. So it’s better to rethink before making any final decision.
• Hard to Clean: Unlike hardside luggage, softside luggage is difficult to clean. They come with a rough surface that is not easy to clean, and at the same time, you’ll have to be extra cautious while cleaning so that the stitching or cloth doesn’t tear off from anywhere.

Also read: Samsonite Omni 2 Hardside Luggage Review

Hardside vs Softside Luggage Comparison

There is no piece of luggage that can fulfill all of your expectations. This is about what you personally prefer and what your requirements are. Here is a quick overview and comparison of both types of luggage so that you can finalize the one that can fulfill your needs. So let’s take a look.

Hardside Luggage

Softside Luggage

Final Thoughts

Airlines do not have preferences or restrictions for either hard or soft luggage. This decision is entirely up to you. However, they do have some restrictions about size and weight, but not about hard and soft luggage. So it’s important for you to take it into consideration.

In my opinion, if you’re planning to travel by air or check in your luggage, then I’d highly suggest you go with proper hardside luggage for additional protection so that your luggage can protect your belongings and bear the rough handling at airports.

However, if you’re planning a short trip without air or looking for luggage as a carry-on, then you can either choose hardside or softside. Both types of luggage will be a great choice and won’t be a problem for you. You can choose any luggage with which you feel comfortable.

Ultimately, the choice between softside and hardside luggage depends on your personal preferences, the specific type of travel requirements, and the type of items to be packed inside the luggage.

Also read: Can I Wrap My Luggage in Plastic at the Airport or at Home?