Audrey Kohout, co-CEO of Luggage Forward and LugLess, to Newsweek: "Book sooner rather than later. We're in a period where every week of waiting likely means paying more. Jet fuel costs have nearly doubled since late February, and airlines are passing that on through higher fares and steeper ancillary fees. At the same time, carriers are pulling capacity off the market to manage costs, which means fewer available seats on the routes travelers want most."
Audrey Kohout, co-CEO of Luggage Forward, keeps an easy-to-access ball on the plane. "Mid-flight, roll it under your feet," she says. "It wakes your legs up, gets the blood moving and feels amazing after a few hours in the air."
For extended trips, ski vacations, or travel with specialty equipment, shipping your luggage ahead via services like ShipGo or Luggage Forward can actually be cheaper than airline bag fees — and far more convenient. You drop off your bags days before departure and pick them up at your hotel or destination.
Soft-side bags should be made with fabrics in the 600–1680 denier range — higher denier numbers mean thicker, more tear-resistant material. Ballistic nylon, at the upper end of that range, is particularly strong and durable, says Audrey Kohout, travel expert and co-CEO at Luggage Forward.
Audrey Kohout, Co-CEO of Luggage Forward, says: “With airlines deprioritising the traveller as operational efficiencies and costs increase. In 2026, thoughtful travellers will consider volunteering their carry-on at the gate when prompted, or even consider luggage shipping services to send bags ahead of time via a third-party delivery service.”
Audrey Kohout described Japan as a 'wonderful place for souvenir shopping'.
The co-CEO of Luggage Forward told The Mirror: 'People are purchasing a huge amount and are upgrading to a bigger suitcase, as they didn't plan ahead.'
Audrey Kohout, Co-CEO of Luggage Forward, told the Mirror: "A few things in Japan have led to this trend there as opposed to other surging places. Japan is a wonderful place for souvenir shopping. People are purchasing a huge amount and are upgrading to a bigger suitcase, as they didn't plan ahead.
"You combine that with checking a bag on an airline, and it leaves people a bit squeezed and not wanting multiple bags. The dollar is strong there. You merge that with Japan having a lot of high-quality, affordable options and fun knick-knacks. It lends it to be a strong souvenir destination.
Game-changing luggage courier services like LuggageFree, LugLess, and Luggage Forward help savvy travelers skip airport hassles — though the price can be steep — while luggage accessory brands offer space-saving compression bags that help fit more in carry-ons.
Read More: https://www.islands.com/1988772/united-airlines-new-checked-luggage-policy-improvement-international-travel/
