Can You Lock Your Luggage on an International Flight? Things You Need to Know.
Are you planning to travel internationally for the first time but have a concern, like, Can you lock your luggage on an international flight? Your concern is valid because of the various airline regulations and international standards.
This comprehensive guide covers the nuances of locking luggage on international flights and the benefits and drawbacks of locking luggage, especially when flying internationally. You’ll also learn many other things with regard to TSA-approved locks.
So stay with us to explore many beneficial things.
Table of Contents
Can I lock my luggage on an international flight?
Yes, you can lock your luggage. Whether you’re flying on an international or domestic flight, you’re totally allowed to lock your suitcase.
In fact, you should lock your luggage during travel, especially if it’s checked luggage. Everyone wants to keep their suitcases and belongings secure and prevent any kind of theft. The best possible way to reduce the chances of theft is to use a lock.
There’s always evil eyes and sometimes unethical airline employees who are always in search of those luggages that are without locks. I don’t say that zippers are not breakable or guaranteed to keep your luggage safe because zippers themselves can also be damaged or opened by a sharp or pointed object, but they can definitely reduce the chances of theft.
Because thieves are always in a hurry and prefer to do everything quickly, locks always prove to be the best deterrent or barrier. That’s why it’s always recommended to use a lock on your luggage.
Tip: If you want to get a piece of luggage with a built-in TSA-approved lock, we’d recommend you go with Samsonite’s Freeform hardside spinner luggage or Travelpro’s Versapack softside spinner luggage.
Also Read: 5 Best TSA-Approved Luggage Locks
TSA-Approved Locks: Are they permitted only in the USA?
No, TSA-approved locks are allowed and recognized across the world.
Every TSA-approved lock comes with a red diamond logo, which is the symbol of Travel Senty. This is the brand that is known worldwide, so if you’re flying to any other country besides the USA, you don’t have to worry at all. You’re totally covered.
If airport security wants to inspect your luggage, they can simply get access to it with the master key that they have.
Also read: How to unlock Samsonite luggage when you forget the code
Which Further Countries Accept Travel Sentry or TSA-Approved Locks?
TSA, which stands for Transportation Security Administration, works only in the USA. But there are various other countries as well that have accepted the Travel Sentry system.
When you travel to New Zealand, China, Canada, Belgium, Australia, Japan and many other countries, you’ll notice their security staff also has a master key like the TSA. So if they want to inspect any piece of luggage, they can simply do it with the help of the key.
And all the bags and suitcases with TSA-approved locks will simply open without any issues. Here is the complete updated list the countries who use the Travel Sentry TSA approved lock system.
What happens if the destination country doesn’t have the key to open the TSA-approved lock?
This might happen to you: you want to travel a country, you packed everything and you locked your suitcase with a TSA-approved lock. Later on, you came to know that the country you’re traveling to doesn’t have the key to unlocking your luggage.
If the airport security staff wanted to inspect your luggage, what would you do?
There is a high chance that they’ll simply cut your suicase lock, and you’ll be left with a damaged lock. This is really frustrating, but this is what it is. You’ll have to get another one.
But in these situations, you can try to avoid locking your luggage with TSA or any other lock if you want to minimize your risk or loss. You can simply use a zip tie or plastic cable to lock your luggage. In this case, if they want to inspect your luggage, they’ll just cut the zip tie. This is extremely inexpensive and a lot easier to implement.
We’ve written a detailed guide on plenty of methods over here, you can implement any of them. However, these methods are not as effective as a lock, but they can still prove to be a barrier or deterrent to prevent any kind of theft.
But make sure to have a small pair of scissors in your outer pocket so that whenever you want to open your suitcase, you can simply snip the zip tie off.
Also read: How to set and reset the Samsonite lock?
Is the TSA lock mandatory, or can I use any other type of lock?
No, a TSA-approved lock is not mandatory or essential, but it’s highly recommended to use a TSA-approved lock.
This is because a TSA lock is the lock that TSA inspection agents can open with the help of their master key. A TSA-approved lock, whether it’s a key lock or a number lock, helps the TSA agent open the suitcase without causing any damage to it.
In case you don’t have a TSA lock, you can use any other lock; airport security doesn’t have any issue with it, but the thing that you should keep in mind is that for any reason, if TSA security officers choose your luggage for further screening, they can just break your suitcase lock or sometimes even your suitcase.
They do have the right to break the lock and inspect any piece of luggage. This is not only with the USA; the condition is very similar in any other country; their airport security can do the same thing with your luggage.
So make sure to always go with a TSA-approved lock so you a seamless travel.
Also read: How to Fix Samsonite Suitcase Lock Jammed Issue?
Final Thoughts: Should You Lock Luggage on International Flights?
Whether you’re traveling on an international or domestic flight, you can always lock your luggage without any issues; airport security doesn’t have any problems. In fact, it’s recommended for you to use a lock, especially when it’s checked luggage.
And you can use any type of lock on your suitcase, but it’s highly recommended to use a TSA-approved lock. You can go with either key lock or number lock, but I’d recommend you go with number lock.
Having your luggage locked acts like a barrier, protects your belongings and ultimately prevents your luggage from theft. And the most important thing is that a lock helps you travel with peace of mind and makes your journey even more happy.
Read Next: 5 Best TSA-Approved Luggage Locks
