The baggage belt spares nothing. Suitcases drop from a metre up, ride beneath dozens of other bags and go through rough transfers. So a vase, a laptop or grandmother's china arrives intact not by luck, but because of how and where you packed it.
In short: everything valuable or breakable goes in your carry-on. Electronics, documents, medication and jewellery are best not checked at all. If something fragile must travel in the hold, use a hard case, soft padding and a Fragile tag — but remember: the tag is no guarantee of careful handling, and the airline's liability for fragile items is usually limited. Your booking details are in My bookings.
01 / CabinWhat you shouldn't check in
The core rule is simple: if an item can't be quickly replaced or restored, carry it with you in the cabin. Checked baggage travels out of your sight, is handled manually, and any compensation for damaged or lost fragile items is usually capped. So a handful of things are better kept out of the hold entirely.
- Electronics — laptop, camera, tablet, headphones, game consoles.
- Documents and keys — passport, tickets, vouchers, house and car keys.
- Medication — especially prescription drugs and anything you take on a schedule.
- Jewellery and valuables — cash, watches, expensive accessories.
- Power banks and lithium batteries — usually prohibited in checked baggage by safety rules.
02 / The tagWhat a Fragile tag actually gives you
At check-in you can mark a fragile suitcase with a Fragile sticker. It's a signal to ground crew — don't throw it, place it on top. But be honest about what it does: the tag does not guarantee careful handling and does not raise your compensation. It's a request, not insurance. So treat the tag as a supplement to good packing, never a substitute for keeping valuables in the cabin.
03 / PackingHow to pack fragile items if they go in the hold
Choose a hard case
Polycarbonate or ABS absorb impact better than soft fabric. Place fragile items near the centre of the case, away from the walls and wheels.
Wrap each item separately
Bubble wrap, soft clothing, towels. Wrap glass and ceramics in several layers so items never touch each other.
Fill the gaps
Empty space is the main enemy: in transit, items shift and break. Pack the case so nothing rattles inside.
Secure and label
Tighten the internal straps, ask for a Fragile tag at the desk and, where possible, a 'this way up' sticker for correct orientation.
04 / LiabilityWhy compensation for fragile items is limited
Airlines typically limit or entirely exclude liability for breakable, perishable and especially valuable items in checked baggage. It's written into the carrier's conditions, so even if an item is damaged you're unlikely to recover its full value. Exact terms vary between airlines — check the carrier's conditions of carriage or ask our support before departure.
05 / HelpIf a fragile item still gets damaged
Don't leave the baggage hall
Damage is recorded on the spot: go to the airport's Lost & Found desk or the airline representative before you leave the baggage area.
File a report (PIR)
Ask for a Property Irregularity Report. Keep it, your boarding pass and the baggage tag — without them a claim won't be reviewed.
Get in touch with us
Message us via your account or the bot @sales_travel_bot, or call 8 800 1000-646 — we'll help you raise the claim with the carrier.
06 / FAQFrequently asked
Does a Fragile tag increase compensation if something breaks?
No. The tag is only a request to handlers to be more careful. It doesn't affect the airline's liability and guarantees nothing. Valuables are safer in the cabin.
Can I take a laptop and camera in my carry-on?
Yes, and that's exactly what you should do. Don't check electronics, and at security you'll usually take devices out separately — so keep them accessible.
What if a fragile item is too big for carry-on?
Pack it in a hard case with dense soft padding, fill every gap, ask for a Fragile tag and consider baggage insurance. For large fragile objects, also check the carrier's special-baggage rules.
Is medication really better kept out of the hold?
Yes, keep it in the cabin. Baggage can be delayed or lost, and scheduled medication needs to stay within reach. Carry it in its original packaging, with a prescription or doctor's note for prescription drugs.