October 16, 2026, 3:09 pm | Read time: 4 minutes

How to Get Your Suitcase Off the Carousel Faster

As TRAVELBOOK learned from aviation expert Cord Schellenberg, the order of luggage on the carousel depends on several factors:

• Airline prioritization: First class and top frequent flyers first, followed by business class, and finally economy class
• Loading in the aircraft: For example, the position of the container in the cargo hold can be crucial
• Third-country flights: Here, customs instructions can also influence the order if luggage is being checked.

For travelers, this system is hardly transparent. Additionally, at major hubs like Frankfurt Airport, baggage handling is largely automated. As a Fraport employee explained to TRAVELBOOK, suitcases are sorted in conveyor systems—passengers have limited influence on the actual loading.

Nevertheless, travelers are not entirely powerless. While there’s no guarantee that your suitcase will be among the first on the carousel, there are some tricks to at least increase the likelihood.

Attach a Priority Baggage Tag

“In my view, the best way to ensure early delivery of your suitcase is to attach a priority baggage tag to it,” explains expert Schellenberg. You might still have such a tag from a previous trip at home. At self-check-in, you can reuse the old tag—provided you’re flying with the same airline—to mark the luggage as prioritized.

This trick can also work at the check-in counter. Schellenberg recommends politely asking service staff to issue a priority tag as an exception—perhaps by mentioning that you need to catch a specific connecting train at your destination. “Friendliness is often the magic key in aviation!”

… or a “Fragile” Sticker

It can also be worthwhile to label your suitcase with a “Fragile” sticker or ask airport staff to do so. The suitcase is then usually handled with extra care, and at some airports, it is sorted separately and loaded last into the cargo hold. Consequently, it may be among the first to be unloaded at the destination.

The “last in, first out” principle can lead to your suitcase being one of the first sent to the carousel. That’s why many travelers swear by checking in their luggage as late as possible. However, keep in mind: Not all airports operate the same way. Especially at large airports with automated systems, the order is often mixed. Additionally, check-in cutoff times are strict. Arriving not just late but too late risks your luggage not being loaded at all.

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Choose Flight Time and Route Wisely

To be on the safe side, according to the Fraport employee, you should choose a flight that doesn’t land in the late morning. At this time, passenger volume is particularly high—meaning a lot of luggage needs to be processed, which can extend wait times. The distance between the aircraft’s parking position and the carousel is also crucial. “The greater this distance, the longer you’ll have to wait,” the TRAVELBOOK informant says.

Luxury Tip: Fly First Class

Luggage from first-class passengers is generally given priority and often unloaded earlier—after all, this service is part of the booked comfort.

For those who can’t or don’t want to afford it, aviation expert Cord Schellenberg has another tip. “Sometimes airlines offer business-class tickets with luggage included at prices only slightly higher than those of an economy ticket with extra luggage,” he says. In this case, travelers benefit from enhanced service—on the ground with lounge access, and on board with more space and catering. “That’s much more comfortable than just a faster luggage delivery,” he finds. And yes, this certainly puts any potential wait time into perspective.