Yes, you can fly with a suit. Although this may seem simple, flying with a suit has to adhere to certain baggage policies. Finding the secret to travelling with a suit without getting it dirty or wrinkly can be a tough problem. However, when you book with Alternative Airlines, you can be sure that you can properly prepare for flying with a suit and have peace of mind that we are here to help you along the way.
This will often depend on how you are transporting it, and what else you need to transport. For example, you may find that rolling your suit is best to save room in a suitcase, whereas folding along the creases may be best for a garment bag.
If there is an iron provided at your destination, packing your suit may not be so important as you can simply remove creases at your destination. If you are travelling to a wedding destination, there will most likely be an iron or steaming service available as most people will be wearing or bringing a suit. If you are flying to a wedding you may also be interested about our guide to flying with a wedding dress.
As soon as you get to your destination, make sure you hang it up for as long as possible to let the creases naturally unfold.
Suit shoes should be transported at the bottom of your garment bag, or carry-on bag. This is so the heavier items don’t crush the lighter and more delicate shirts. Make sure they are clean or place them in an additional bag so they do not make your clean clothes dirty. Additionally, you can opt to wear your shoes to reduce the weight in your carry-on or checked luggage.
Some people argue that hard-sided suitcases are better for transporting suits than garment or suit bags, as they make them less prone to wrinkling.
This is the most common and popular way to transport a suit. You can carry your suit onto the plane in a garment bag, as long as it fits within the airline’s carry-on policy dimensions. Please be aware that if you are hoping to hang the suit in the garment bag during the flight, you will have to check with the airline to see if this is possible, or read below for some specific airlines’ policies. Most airlines, unfortunately, will not have a suit bag and instead will have to be folded and placed in the overhead locker. In general, be sure to check the policy of the airline that you are flying with. You don’t want to be caught out paying for expensive additional carry-on bags at the airport when it can be avoided by researching properly.
Alternatively, if the price for transporting a suit as checked or carry-on luggage is too expensive, why not wear your suit on the plane? Although creases will develop as you wear it, they will be in natural creases rather than unnatural folds. Take off your jacked when you get on the plane and lay it on your lap to reduce the wrinkles in the jacket Additionally, you can still hang it up or iron it when you get to your destination to remove creases. Generally, we recommend you wearing your suit when flying if you are going to need it on the day of your flight, or pack it if you are wearing it the next day or after.
American Airlines allows passengers to take a soft-sided garment bag measuring up to 51 inches / 130 cm when combining length + width + height. This item can be taken as your carry-on item.
Delta do not specify rules about transporting a suit in a garment or suit bag, but their carry-on allowance is one carry-on bag and one personal item free of charge. The main carry-on bag must fit the combined dimensions (length + width + height) of 45 linear inches or 114 cm., and must not exceed the dimensions of 22 x 14 x 9 inches. Therefore, you can carry your suit on board as long as it fits the dimensions permitted for carry-on luggage.
Southwest Airlines will allow garment bags as a personal carry-on item, as long as it fits the dimensions of 10 x 16 x 24 inches. Although many garment bags are larger than this, as they are soft-sided and can be folded, they will fit the given dimensions and therefore will be accepted.
As with Southwest Airlines, United Airlines will generally allow suit bags as the carry-on bag, as long as it fits, when folded or otherwise, as a carry-on bag. The permitted maximum dimensions of the carry-on bag are 9 x 14 x 22 inches.
Spirit Airlines only include one personal item on their basic Bare Fare. This item is things such as a laptop bag or handbag, measuring a maximum of 18 x 14 x 8 inches. Therefore, you will need to purchase additional baggage on most Spirit Airlines fares if you wish to take a garment bag on as carry-on luggage. The price of additional luggage depends on your flight itinerary, so be sure to call us to book a garment bag, or visit the Spirit Airlines website to view prices and purchase a bag. Spirit Airlines do not provide hanging space for any garments or suits on board their planes.
Passengers flying with Qantas Airways can carry-on a garment bag, as long as it does not exceed the baggage allowances, and fits in the overhead locker or in under the seat in front of you. On domestic services within Australia (except services on the Dash 8 aircraft), passengers can carry a non-rigid garment bag measuring 60 + 114 + 11 cm in addition to a 48 + 34 +23 cm bag. International passengers in first, business and premium economy can choose to bring a garment bag (again measuring 60 + 114 + 11 cm) in addition to a 48 + 34 +23 cm carry-on bag. Economy passengers on international flights can choose a carry-on bag (56 + 36 + 23 cm) OR a garment bag (60 + 114 + 11 cm).
Passengers can bring wedding attire, including a suit, inside a garment bag as your personal item. WestJet do not provide any hanging closets in the plane, so will need to be placed in the overhead lockers.
Air Canada passengers are permitted one standard carry-on bag in addition to one personal item. A garment bag can be carried as the personal article, but please note that size and weight restrictions apply.
Garment bags containing a suit can be carried as carry-on baggage with British Airways, as long as you don’t exceed your baggage allowance (size dimensions, weight and number of bags).
China Airlines allow passengers carry-on bags measuring a maximum of 22 x 14 x 9 inches which must be stowed under the seat in front of you or in the overhead bin. If your garment bag fits these restrictions, then you may carry it on board as your carry-on luggage.
JetBlue doesn't make special allowances for wedding attire. If you're flying with a suit, it must meet the baggage requirements to/from specific destinations. Please note that JetBlue doesn't have closets for hanging clothing items or garment bags on its aircraft. In order to carry a suit as a carry-on, it shouldn't exceed the following measurements: 22" L (55.88 cm) x 14" W (35.56 cm) x 9" H (22.86 cm).
If you're flying in Economy or Premium Economy with Emirates you are allowed to bring a carry-on with dimensions not exceeding 55 x 38 x 20 cm. Your suit can be packed and stored carefully in your carry-on. If you are flying First Class you're entitled to a carry-on bag as well as a garment bag that you can use to transport your suit.
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There are many different ways you can fly with a suit. We recommend that you get your suit packed professionally in a box or hanging bag. Please check the airlines weight and measurements allowance before bringing it with you as a carry-on.
Garments bags are usually considered as hand luggage rather than a personal item. However, please check the baggage allowance for the airline you are flying with as this will vary between airlines. Airlines will allow you to bring a suit and store it in the overhead lockers or under the seat.
There are a number of ways you can carry a suit on a plane. You can carry it in a garment bag or wear it like a boss. Follow our tips above on how to carry a suit on a plane.
Are you planning on having a wedding abroad? Look for inspiration on the best places to get married across the world on our unique wedding destinations blog.
If you're interested in policies regarding flying with a suit, you may be interested in our other guides:
