SKIP THE FEES, SKIP THE LINES: WHY TRAVELERS ARE REBELLING AGAINST CHECKED BAGS

A freshly released survey from LugLess finds that approximately 71% of U.S. travelers are now skipping checked luggage, marking a clear rebellion against high fees, lost bags, and airport chaos. 

As summer travel kicks off, it seems we’re entering a new era where convenience (and sanity) overpowers tradition.

Airport Aggravation Is Real

Nearly half of travelers worry constantly about delays or cancellations (46%), and an equal number say the airport process takes too long. Add crowding (32%) and the lurking risk of lost bags, and it’s no wonder more people are opting out of checked luggage.

• 36% say bag fees are just too expensive.
• 34% are overdressing, literally layering their clothes just to dodge checked bag fees.
• 59% would rather pay $100–200 to ship luggage than deal with the checked‑bag hassle.

This adds up to a travel environment where ease and peace of mind are becoming must-haves.

Ditching Bags, Avoiding Hassles

Let’s be honest: nobody loves lugging one too many suitcases through terminals and then waiting by the baggage carousel. Carry-ons are simpler: they bypass checked fees, beat baggage claim lines, and shrink the chance of losing your stuff.

And now people are getting creative, like opting to ship their bags door‑to‑door for a flat rate. It may feel like a small luxury, but for many, it’s worth skipping the airport circus.

This announcement comes after Southwest Airlines stated that it will end its two free bag policy in 2025, a beloved perk for frequent travelers. Now, for any flights booked after May 27, passengers will be charged for those checked bags that used to fly free.

Flight Risk: Close Calls Are Common

Clearly, stress is at an all-time high. Half of travelers adhere to the traditional two-hour pre-flight arrival rule. But 28% are rolling the dice and showing up under an hour before boarding, and it pays off more often than not, with only 24% admitting they’ve actually missed a flight.

That said, about 43% have missed flights before — twice or three times — thanks to traffic jams (36%), emergencies (32%), or simply just oversleeping (29%). Clearly, rolling in late is risky business, even if the stakes feel low… until they’re not.

TSA Tensions and Cabin Pet Peeves

Getting through TSA is another headache:

• 30% worry about losing pricey items if TSA “tosses” them.
• 35% have already had items thrown out.
• 27% fear extra pat-downs, and 16% dislike the spotlight from random searches.

Once onboard, cabin life has its own annoyances. The survey highlights these top passenger pet peeves:

• Loud talkers (64%)
• Headphone-free media (57%)
• Strong‑smelling snacks (54%)
• Shoe removal (46%)
• Armrest hogs (46%)
• Bathroom marathon‑ers (25%)

It seems the complaints don’t stop until the plane lands.

What It Means for Travelers

If you’re aiming for a stress-free journey this summer, consider traveling lighter and bringing only a carry-on or shipping your bags ahead. Use luggage trackers like Apple AirTags to ease anxiety (though 69% of respondents haven’t yet tried them), and maybe rethink showing up with less lounging time but more peace of mind.

Summer is here, and travelers are putting a premium on convenience, mental space, and fewer headaches. Whether that means shoving more layers into your carry-on, paying to ship your suitcase, or just chilling out with fewer things to worry about, the goal is the same: start your vacation where vacation begins in relaxation, not lines.

So next time you're heading to the airport, ask yourself: do you want to check a bag, or check out of the chaos?

2025-06-19T14:07:40Z