Theft on an airplane.

September 26, 2021

Most travelers never stop to think of having their items stolen on board an airplane. I recently took a women’s safety awareness class.  The one thing that stood out to me is that most crimes are crimes of opportunity.  Although theft on the airplane is rare, it does occur.  In most cases, the person never realizes that they were victims until after the flight.  Unfortunately, flight crews can do very little if it happens in flight unless the person is caught red-handed.  Here are a few ideas to keep in mind when traveling to prevent your items from being stolen on the airplane.

Place luggage across from your seat

Many travelers like to place their carry-on luggage directly above their seats.  When you are seated on an aisle seat, you can usually see what happens when someone goes into the overhead bin.  However, when you are sitting in a middle or window seat, you cannot see your luggage if it is directly overhead.  Your items can be stolen right before you without you knowing it has happened.  When you place your luggage across from your seat, you will always see it and anyone that handles it.

Lock your carry-on

Travelers assume that they only must secure their checked luggage, and I would advise that you lock and protect your carry-on luggage as well.  Remember that overhead bin space is shared space, and there is no guarantee that you will be able to stow your carry-on items at or near your seat.  On most crowded flights, especially during holidays, overhead bin space gets full very quickly.

Make your bag easily identifiable

Many bags look alike, and some dishonest travelers take advantage of that fact.  If caught, their excuse is that they thought it was their bag.  Place something on your bag that makes it easily identifiable, like a brightly colored ribbon, sticker, or bag tag.  Anything that differentiates your luggage will discredit the excuse of unintentional handling of your carry-on luggage.

Stow your valuables well

Many people like to have their wallets or purses at hand.  Unfortunately, this can be a perfect crime of opportunity for a fellow traveler.  Once you are onboard an airplane, there is no need to have your purse or wallet out.  Most airlines now are cashless, so having a single credit card accessible is enough for most travelers.

Use common sense

If you go to the restroom, take your purse or wallet.  Men tend to remove their wallets or phones from their back pockets and place them in the seatback pocket, and women will leave their purses unattended to go to the restroom.  In both these cases, travelers leave the opportunity open to become victims of theft.  The person traveling next to you is usually a stranger.  You may never see them again in life, and it is not likely to get to know them well while onboard.  Even though your seatmate or fellow travelers can be friendly, always remember that they are strangers.

I hope you have never experienced any theft while onboard an airplane.  I have seen it happen, and I know it can happen.  Be careful and use your common sense. Have you ever given theft on the airplane a thought? As always, your comments are welcome.

This blog post may contain affiliate links. This means I may receive a small incentive at no expense to you if you choose to purchase something mentioned in this blog. This helps me continue to create content. It is my promise to only recommend things I have personally used and found valuable. Read full disclaimer →

Get an inside peek into my life & 
travel stories not seen in my blog.

I share the realities and nuances that come with being a Black woman on the move.

Meet your travel expert

Hi, I’m Donna

As a woman of color, I navigate the world of travel with a distinct lens.

I am thrilled to bring you my wealth of knowledge and firsthand experiences from my 23-year journey as a former flight attendant and seasoned traveler. Through my blog, I aim to shed light on the diverse challenges, triumphs, and hidden gems that I encounter along my journey.

More about Donna →

FUEL MY BLOG
Buy Me a Coffee and Support My Journey!

Fuel the inspiration behind my blog by buying me a coffee. Your support helps me continue creating unique content and sharing valuable travel insights. Thank you for joining me on this exciting journey!

The Lived Travel Experience
“Make the plan, take the trip!”

Continue reading

You might also enjoy these blog posts:

Browse by topic or category:

4 Comments

  1. Chistee

    Useful information as always! Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  2. Raqi

    These are great tips! The first especially stuck out to me! Thanks for sharing❤️

    Reply
  3. Kellie Washington

    Thank you that was very informative..

    Reply
  4. Brenda Fay Warren-Allison

    Thank you for the information you share. This was one thing I never would have thought about, however I do keep my bags lock.

    Reply

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Don't miss this!

Grab my FREE Travel Checklist

I sharing my personal travel checklist from years of experience as a flight attendant. Get my tips on what you need to check before traveling, packing tips and more.

Pin It on Pinterest

Share This