Airport passengers have been warned against attaching ribbons to their luggage

Attaching a colorful ribbon to a suitcase may seem like a simple and harmless way to make luggage easier to recognize. When dozens of nearly identical black suitcases travel around an airport carousel, a bright ribbon can help travelers identify their belongings quickly.

However, some airport and airline guidance warns passengers that ribbons and other loose decorations can occasionally cause problems during baggage handling. Although ribbons are not universally prohibited, understanding their potential disadvantages can help you avoid delays and protect your luggage.

The important point is not that every ribbon will cause trouble. Rather, certain decorations can become caught in equipment, interfere with automated processes, or create practical problems when baggage is handled at high speed.

Here is what travelers should know before decorating their suitcases.

1. Ribbons Can Get Caught in Baggage-Handling Equipment

One concern with attaching ribbons to luggage is that loose material may become caught in moving equipment.

At large airports, checked bags often travel through extensive conveyor systems, sorting machines, scanning stations, and transfer belts. These systems are designed to move thousands of bags efficiently.

A ribbon that hangs loosely from a handle or zipper can potentially catch on a protruding component or another object during handling.

If this happens, the bag might be delayed while staff resolve the problem. In some circumstances, the ribbon could tear or become detached.

However, this does not mean that every ribbon is dangerous or that ribbons routinely cause baggage-system failures. The risk depends on the decoration, how securely it is attached, and the equipment involved.