Four reasons flight attendant says this is the best kind of suitcase to use

As flight attendants literally travel for a living, we know they've likely unpacked and repacked a suitcase more times than we can count.

So when someone with that level of luggage experience says they will always choose this one type of suitcase, we're listening.

Atlanta-based Delta Air Lines flight attendant Katie Trebendis recently shared some of her baggage advice, saying travellers should look for durable luggage that makes the travel experience easier.

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"I always recommend using hard-shell luggage, whether you're planning to check your bag or carry it on," Katie told Travel + Leisure.

"Hard-shell bags retain their shape and help compress clothes, meaning you can fit more items without worrying about bulging luggage not fitting in the overhead bins.

"I recommend using hard-shell luggage to protect whatever you've packed and to make it easier to clean your bag."

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She also said to look for features like weight indicators, spinner wheels, and padded handles.

She says all of these little things can "enhance your travel experience and make it more seamless".

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However, everyone has their own preferences, of course.

A fellow cabin crew member recently said that if you're planning to check your luggage, she would rather opt for a soft-shell suitcase.

"Passengers tend to think that hard-shell suitcases are more resistant than fabric ones, but it's actually the opposite," a flight attendant who has worked in the job for 16 years, told retailer House of Fraser.

"Hardcovers can get easily broken by the pressure of the other bags once they're all packed together in the hold."

"To avoid damage to your bag, I always recommend choosing a fabric suitcase as these are actually more durable," she advised.

If hard case is your preferred choice as well, travel experts are warning holidaymakers to avoid using black suitcases when flying this year, as they are the easiest to lose and the most difficult to identify.

Black is the most popular luggage colour worldwide, according to an Eminent survey, accounting for 40 per cent of all luggage purchases.

Jamie Fraser, expert for US summer camp Wild Packs, explained that passengers should ditch black luggage if they want to make sure they have the correct suitcase at the end of their flight.

"This style of suitcase, which also includes wheels, is the default choice for travellers, but if your bag is misplaced, you don't want it to be hard to distinguish from other luggage," Jamie said.