As the festive season approaches, it’s worth noting that every year thousands of people traverse the country and globe to reunite with loved ones.

However, thousands of bags are often lost or misplaced in the process. If you want to dodge the nightmare of missing luggage just before Christmas, experts at 1st Move International removals suggest booking as direct a flight as possible.

The majority of baggage losses occur during international flights, particularly those with layovers during peak times, due to the heightened risk of transferring luggage between planes. To mitigate this risk, aim for direct flights.

If a stopover is unavoidable, choose a longer one, allowing staff ample time to transfer your luggage and minimising the likelihood of errors.

It’s also crucial to remove any old tags or stickers from your bag to prevent confusion among airport personnel.

If your bag does go astray, be prepared by leaving a note inside your luggage with your contact details and travel itinerary.

This enables airport staff to reach you more easily.

As well as letting staff contact you it serves as an additional safety measure should your luggage tag fall off or become damaged during the journey.

Another handy tip is to take a quick snapshot of your luggage before you depart.

This can be invaluable if your bag goes astray, providing airport personnel with a reference image to aid in its identification and swift return.

It’s also prudent to pack a few days’ worth of essential items in your carry-on luggage. Crucial items such as medication should always be kept in your hand luggage in the event that your checked bag gets misplaced.