Are ‘red bags loaded first’ on planes? The viral TikTok theory explained

Brooke Kato
·3 min read
A woman sitting on a chair with her luggage
A woman sitting on a chair with her luggage

Let’s unpack this theory.

A viral TikTok video has led more than 75 million viewers to believe that red luggage is loaded into the cargo compartment first due to its eye-catching color that is visible in the darkness of the aircraft hold — but is it true?

“If the red are at the back then they are less likely to get left behind when unloading,” one user argued in the comments.

“So that it’s easier to check if there is any bag left at end corner of loading area and prevent missing out black bags at dark corners, maybe,” reasoned another.

A viral TikTok video asked viewers why they think airlines might load red bags first — and some reasoned it was to avoid leaving bags behind due to the luggage’s bright color. @idksterling/TikTok
A viral TikTok video asked viewers why they think airlines might load red bags first — and some reasoned it was to avoid leaving bags behind due to the luggage’s bright color. @idksterling/TikTok
Viewers wanted to know which color was loaded last — presumably so they wouldn’t have to wait long at baggage claim, in theory. @idksterling/TikTok
Viewers wanted to know which color was loaded last — presumably so they wouldn’t have to wait long at baggage claim, in theory. @idksterling/TikTok

“What color is loaded last ?? As I’ll be buying that color thanks,” quipped someone else.

However, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines called the claims “nonsense” in a response posted to TikTok. The KLM employee loading luggage in the video, which has reached over 215,000 viewers, said it “doesn’t matter” what color of bag you travel with.

The original video, a spokesperson for the International Air Transport Association told Simple Flying, “was made purposefully to mislead or provide false information.” Not to mention, there is just simply not enough space nor time to sort baggage by color, the aviation news outlet reported.

Experts have since debunked the video, which garnered millions of views online, saying it was “nonsense.” Serhiy Hipskyy – stock.adobe.com
Experts have since debunked the video, which garnered millions of views online, saying it was “nonsense.” Serhiy Hipskyy – stock.adobe.com

“If we had taken the time and brain power to load bags based on color I’d still be loading flights from 2015,” a Redditor, who claimed to be a ramp worker for half a decade, wrote online.

So don’t run out and buy a bright red bag just because you don’t think it will get lost — according to Simple Flying, red bags can be delayed just as often as other colors.

According to a 2015 article by HuffPost, luggage is more likely distributed in the cargo hold by weight — not even by the time it’s checked in by the desk agent.

A representative from Delta Airlines at the time told the outlet that, behind the scenes, suitcases are usually categorized into “cans” or boxes that are weighed and organized by weight in order to balance the weight on wide-body aircrafts, or planes with twin aisles.

In larger aircrafts, baggage is more likely organized by weight – not color. magdal3na – stock.adobe.com
In larger aircrafts, baggage is more likely organized by weight – not color. magdal3na – stock.adobe.com

This also means that, just because you were one of the first passengers to check your bag in for the flight, it doesn’t guarantee it will arrive at baggage claim dead last.

On narrow-body planes, however, ramp workers use the “loose loading” method, which does not involve cans. Instead, baggage is boarded in the order they are stored in the holding area before being moved next to the plane to be loaded via a conveyor belt.