How To Travel With A Suit On A Plane
These articles cover various aspects of traveling with a suit, including the advantages of traveling with a suit, how to prepare your suit for travel, carrying a suit on a plane, and unpacking and maintaining your suit after travel.
Whether you are a frequent business traveler or traveling for a special occasion, these articles provide valuable information to assist you.
Key Takeaways:
Benefits of Traveling with a Suit on a Plane
There are several benefits to wearing a suit on an airplane, such as providing a professional appearance for business travelers, ensuring that clothing arrives wrinkle-free at the destination, and serving as a backup outfit in case checked luggage is lost or delayed.
Wearing a suit jacket is convenient for travelers due to the numerous pockets it offers, which can be useful for holding passports, boarding passes, hand sanitizers, and other necessary items while navigating the airport.
The sense of self-esteem, self-respect, and sophistication that accompanies wearing a formal, tailored suit adds a touch of class to the travel experience, enhancing the overall enjoyment of the trip.
Professional Appearance and Convenience
High-quality garment bags from brands like Butler Luxury assist business travelers in upholding a professional appearance upon reaching their destinations. These specialized garment bags safeguard your clothing during travel by car, plane, or train through the use of robust and long-lasting materials, along with thoughtful design elements such as reinforced handles, compartments for shoes or accessories, and easily cleanable fabric.
Investing in a garment bag tailored for business travel not only saves time and effort by minimizing the need to iron or steam suits upon arrival but also conveys a polished and professional image to colleagues or clients.
Preparing Your Suit for Travel
One of the best ways to travel with a suit and ensure it remains protected and unwrinkled is by properly packing it in a carry-on suitcase. Here is how you can prepare your suit for travel to minimize wrinkles before your trip:
- Utilize suit carriers or garment bags.
- Turn your suit jacket inside out to avoid creasing the outer layer and place it flat at the bottom of your carry-on suitcase. Check out what to travel with on a plane for more tips.
- Pack folded dress shirts on top of the jacket and roll your ties to prevent wrinkles.
- Strategically pack your items to leave empty spaces in your suitcase.
- Carry-ons with a built-in garment compartment provide an additional layer of protection for your formal wear.
Folding, Packing, and Protecting Your Suit
When folding and packing garments, it is important to handle all items with care, especially delicate outer layers like jackets and shirts. For added protection, using a hard shell suitcase is recommended, particularly when transporting formal wedding attire. To properly fold a suit jacket, turn it inside out to safeguard the outer fabric and then gently fold it in half along the natural shoulder line.
When folding shirts, employ the button-up method and ensure a neat fold to prevent wrinkles. To preserve their shape and avoid creasing, place these items between layers of tissue paper and other clothing. When using a hard shell suitcase, layer jackets and shirts on top of other items to prevent excess pressure during travel.
Tips for Carrying Your Suit on the Plane
When traveling on a plane with a suit, it is important to pay attention to footwear and accessories to maintain a polished appearance. The following guidelines on garment care during travel will help ensure your refined look.
Using a steamer is a quick way to remove wrinkles. When choosing shoes for travel, opt for slip-on shoes or loafers that are easy to remove during security checks and provide comfort during the flight. To avoid crushing, accessories like ties and pocket squares should be packed in a separate pouch. Avoid overpacking clothes that do not belong in the suitcase and may cause the suit to wrinkle. A compact steamer is a useful travel item to have for removing wrinkles from your suit before an important meeting.
Carry-on vs. Checked Luggage and TSA Regulations
When traveling with a suit, it is essential to be aware of the differences between carry-on and checked luggage dimensions and to understand the TSA’s rules regarding carry-on baggage, including size restrictions and luggage options. Carry-on luggage is the preferred choice for business travelers and individuals who require immediate access to their suits upon arrival. On the other hand, checked luggage may be more suitable if you have multiple suits or need to transport additional items along with your suit. When selecting luggage, travelers should consider the material and opt for a suitcase that includes a compartment for suits.
Carry-on Baggage for Suits: The rules for carrying suits in your carry-on often align with general carry-on luggage regulations, though there may be exceptions. It is advisable to consult your airline for any specific guidelines related to suits and ensure that your garment bag complies with their carry-on storage requirements. Carry-on luggage containing suits must adhere to the same size restrictions as other luggage. While the TSA typically enforces a size limit of 22”x14”x9” for carry-on bags, airlines may have varying size limitations for carry-on bags containing suits or garment bags.
Checked Baggage for Suits: The size restrictions for checked luggage containing suits are similar to those for other checked items. Standard size regulations for checked baggage include a total dimension of 62 inches (length + width + height) and a maximum weight limit of 50 pounds. Accordingly, garment bags for suits are permitted as checked luggage under these guidelines.
Luggage Material: Opt for a durable suitcase that can withstand rough handling and various surfaces. Materials like polycarbonate offer superior durability, while high-denier nylon is an excellent choice for garment bag material due to its durability and lightweight nature.
Suitcase Features: Look for suitcases with dedicated compartments for suits to prevent wrinkles and creases. A quality suitcase for suits should also feature compression straps and pockets for storing accessories.
Carry-on versus Checked Dimensions: Suitcase dimensions must comply with airline regulations for both carry-on and checked baggage. Ahead of selecting a suitcase for your suit, always verify the specific rules of your airline regarding carry-on versus checked luggage dimensions, as well as any restrictions or limitations they may impose. Remember to label your luggage with your name, address, and contact number. While the maximum dimensions for carry-on luggage are typically 22”x14”x9”, these dimensions may vary by airline. Checked luggage must not exceed 62 inches in total dimension and should not weigh more than 50 pounds.
Unpacking and Maintaining Your Suit After Travel
Upon reaching your destination, it is advisable to unpack your suit carefully to inspect it for any damage and address any issues that may arise. Properly folding and storing your packed luggage is essential to avoid damaging the garment in future use.
One effective method of unpacking a suit is to hang it in a well-ventilated area, allowing any wrinkles in the fabric to naturally relax and release. For persistent wrinkles, utilizing a fabric steamer or hanging the suit in a steamy bathroom can help eliminate them.
When folding a suit, it is important not to fold it too tightly and to align the folds and seams as a reference point. Using garment bags or covers can safeguard suits from dust, moths, and light exposure. Folded clothing should be stored in a cool, dry environment to prevent damage from moisture and mold.
Wrinkle Removal and Care Instructions
To address wrinkles after a trip, proper care and the use of specialty garment care products are necessary. Airlines such as Emirates provide tips on packing clothes to minimize creasing and wrinkling during travel.
One effective method to eliminate wrinkles from suits post-travel is to hang the garment in the bathroom while taking a hot shower, allowing the steam to naturally release the wrinkles. Investing in a portable steamer is a convenient way to quickly smooth out wrinkles on the go.
Additionally, wrinkle-release sprays or fabric refreshers are available as garment care products that can remove creases without the need for ironing, preserving the quality of your suits. These are the recommended strategies by airlines like Emirates to prevent wrinkles.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I bring a suit on a plane as a carry-on?
Yes, you can bring a suit as a carry-on item on a plane. It is recommended to pack it in a garment bag to keep it wrinkle-free and to fit in the overhead compartment.
Do I need to pack my suit in a special way to travel on a plane?
It is recommended to pack your suit in a garment bag and lay it flat in your carry-on luggage to prevent wrinkles. You can also use tissue paper or plastic bags to keep the suit in place and avoid creases.
What if my suit doesn’t fit in the overhead compartment?
If your suit does not fit in the overhead compartment, you can request to hang it in the plane’s closet. However, this is not guaranteed and you may need to fold it and place it in the overhead bin.
Can I bring multiple suits on a plane?
Yes, you can bring multiple suits on a plane. However, it is recommended to pack them in a garment bag or separate them in plastic bags to protect them from wrinkles and creases.
Do I need to declare my suit at airport security?
No, you do not need to declare your suit at airport security as it is considered a personal item. However, you will need to remove it from your carry-on luggage when going through the security checkpoint.
What if my suit gets wrinkled during travel?
If your suit gets wrinkled during travel, you can hang it in the bathroom while taking a hot shower. The steam will help to release the wrinkles. Alternatively, you can also use a travel-sized steamer to remove wrinkles before wearing your suit.