How can you protect yourself from in-flight theft?

Theft of personal items on flights has long been a problem. The airport and aircraft environments provide a tempting opportunity for theft. Many travelers will have valuables with them—much more than they would at other times.

Of course, we all carry phones, money, and passports, but also a range of electronics and laptops in our bags. With higher costs and increasing unreliability of checked baggage, more and more of these items are carried in the cabin.

There are many things we can do to better protect ourselves from being a victim of inflight theft. We are mostly aware of this, but it never hurts to refresh. Thinking about luggage and security in advance, paying attention to baggage and the airport and onboard, and storing items appropriately on the aircraft will all help protect you.

Theft is an increasing problem

Few official statistics are reported for this (in contrast to, say, lost bags, which airlines and airports regularly report). Incidents are reported to airlines and authorities and, in some cases, receive media attention.

There are several reports of incidents of their increasing post-pandemic. Theft is, of course, a global issue, but there are differences. In particular, there has been a strong increase in reported cases in Asia in recent years.

As an example, my reported in January 2025 that incidents of theft have increased significantly in 2024. In Japan, there has been an alarming increase in the theft of money from bags in flight (with criminals replacing the stolen bills with foreign currency of lower value to make the theft less obvious).

We also looked at the time at reports from the Hong Kong Security Bureau of increasing theft. It reported 169 in-flight theft cases (totaling HK$4.32 million or about $552,000) over the first ten months of 2024. These were highly concentrated on regional South and Southeast Asia flights (giving a big warning to anyone traveling there). Incidents were spread as follows:

• 70% occurred on flights departing from Malaysia, Thailand, India, and Vietnam.
• 20% occurred on flights from the Middle East departing from Dubai, Turkey, and Doha.
• 7% occurred on flights from Mainland China, Japan, and South Korea.
• 3% were on flights from the United States, Canada, Australia, and Switzerland.

Keep valuables and cash in hand luggage

Most travelers will already do this, but it is worth a reminder that it is generally safer to pack valuable and important items in your carry-on hand luggage and not place them in hold baggage.

Forbes estimates about 7.6 pieces of luggage go missing per every 1,000 travelers on average. It is also possible that bags are opened or interfered with, well out of your sight. Keeping items with you means you can monitor them at the airport and throughout the flight.

There are obvious restrictions to be aware of when packing hand luggage. One key one is restricted items through security, but this mostly affects liquids, weapons, and sharp objects. In fact, battery-powered electronics should be packed in hand luggage in most cases. Be aware of airline restrictions on the size and weight of hand luggage.

Pack valuables well and use a lock

An obvious starting point is how you pack and prepare anything you are carrying onboard.

• Choose an appropriate and sturdy bag. Loose materials or openings are much less safe than a sold bag.
• If you have fragile items, or even some loose electronics, consider wrapping or padding them with other items for protection.
• Consider using a lock. Many cabin bags and backpacks can be locked, either with an included locking system or by using a padlock. A small padlock may not be the most secure item, but it will discourage a lot of opportunistic theft.
• Mark your bag in some way to help with identification. This is more important and common with checked bags, but it can be a good idea for carry-on bags as well. Many bags look the same, and this will help you keep an eye on them and prevent any accidental mistakes from others.

Mark bags and keep them in sight

You should stay aware of your bag location and keep it in sight at all times. This applies at the airport just as much as it does on flights. Some tips here:

• Prepare well for security and watch your items as you go through.
• Keep bags with you at all times at the airport. Don't assume that venues like cafes or airport lounges are safe just to leave anything out.
• Be especially careful when leaving things on view, such as passports on the table or electronics being charged.
• Consider having zipped or sealable pockets on clothing to protect items such as passports and wallets. This can be useful on the flight as well.
• Valuables (including passports and money) can be stored on your person in a security belt or a small cross-body bag worn at the airport and throughout the flight.

On the flight, think about where you are storing your bag. Larger bags will have to be placed in the overhead bins, but be wary of placing bags too far from where you are sitting. It is likely safer to keep valuables closer to you, either in a small bag under the seat or on your person.

Be aware of your surroundings

Just as you would in a busy city, stay aware of your surroundings. Pay attention to who is around you, and avoid leaving your belongings unattended. If you see anything suspicious, alert security at the airport or a flight attendant during the flight.

Some thefts are opportunistic, but many are well-planned. Be aware of common scams, such as distraction thefts and pickpocketing. Be particularly careful if you are having a few drinks at the airport or on the flight. Again, make sure valuables and luggage stay close, and consider securing items on your person or in zipped pockets if sleeping.

Take out appropriate travel insurance

Most sensible travelers have insurance for flights and vacations. This offers protection in the event of major problems such as illness, airline failure, or flight problems. The coverage for baggage, personal items, and valuables is more complicated.

This tends to vary a great deal between insurers and policies. Even if you are covered for certain items and limits, the terms of claiming and the situations that are insured against can vary, too.

What level of insurance to have is a personal decision and will vary between people and between trips.

• Having appropriate coverage for medical situations when traveling internationally and for travel disruption is important, but it is a separate discussion.
• If you are traveling with valuable items, check the policy you have or are considering. This is especially important if you already rely on insurance through another source, such as a bank account or travel credit card.
• In many countries, it is possible to take out insurance for personal items and valuables separate from a travel policy. This could be more comprehensive or have lower excess charges.
• Remember that in many cases, insurance will not cover a situation where the traveller is "negligent," so it is still vital to prepare and take precautions yourself.