As a travel writer and frequent flier, I consider my flight the most thrilling part of the journey. This is especially true for long-haul international legs; I love stashing my stuff, ordering a glass of wine, putting on my noise-canceling headphones, and blissfully tuning out the cabin, eventually falling asleep for hours in a stretch. But an alarming rise in in-flight theft has me rethinking this blase approach altogether. 

Recent incidents documented on Reddit show that in-flight theft is becoming a reality for some travelers. Earlier this month, The Sun Malaysia reported that Kuala Lumpur International Airport saw a near-doubled amount of onboard theft in 2024 compared to 2023. Similarly, international security expert and former police officer Lloyd Figgins shared that there were more than 170 in-flight thefts were reported in Hong Kong last year, and it’s a trend that may be catching on across the globe.

“While relatively uncommon, in-flight theft is most certainly on the rise and some airlines have reported significant increases on certain routes,” Figgins told Travel + Leisure. “The concern is incidents of in-flight theft will continue to rise as criminals, both professional and opportunistic, will see this as an area for exploitation.” 

Figgins also highlighted that each type of flight has its unique appeal to thieves. Long-haul and overnight flights, for example, give thieves ample time and opportunity to peruse through suitcases and personal item bags while passengers are asleep. On the other hand, the quick turnaround time of short-haul flights can also put your belongings at risk. Ultimately, no flight is immune to in-flight theft, so “maintaining vigilance and situational awareness is key to not becoming a victim,” adds Figgins.

Another worrisome element of in-flight theft is that most cases go unreported, leaving little to no recourse for victims. “Many people don’t know they have been robbed until they have left the aircraft or airport, by which time it’s too late and they see little point in reporting it,” he explained. “Often criminals will target the contents of a bag, rather than the entire bag, so it’s only when a victim needs a particular article, they realize it’s missing.” 

Luckily, there are steps you can take before you board your flight to ward off potential thieves. For advice on how to safeguard my stuff, I tapped flight attendant Ally Case for her safety tips and recommendations for the best in-flight anti-theft travel essentials. Combined with valuable insights from Figgins, Case’s gear and accessory picks will ensure your valuables are safe from theft in the air. 

Apple AirTag 4-pack

For in-flight security coupled with peace of mind, Case recommends placing Apple AirTags in all your bags. This is a philosophy I completely subscribe to as a frequent flier: I keep these tiny Apple devices in all of my bags (not to mention on my cat, my kids, and my TV remote controls, too) for both security and location tracking. And the approach has saved me on more than one occasion when I’ve not had eyes on my travel bags. I recommend buying them in a four-pack, which brings the price down to a mere $17 (and some change) a pop.

Knack Laptop Backpack

Though Figgins urges fliers to avoid storing bags with valuables in the overhead bin (since you can’t see whether someone is interfering with your luggage or legitimately getting something from their own bag), there are some instances where it can’t be avoided. In addition to taking his advice of placing your bag in the locker across the aisle from your seat so you can keep an eye on it, you can ensure your items are safely stored in a travel bag with anti-theft features. 

If in-flight thieves are tempted to rifle through unaccompanied bags, they’ll have the most luck stealing from those that have belongings in highly visible or otherwise easily accessible compartments. That’s why Case recommends using “a backpack with hidden pockets for important documents.” This expertly designed pick is her “go-to,” and has 12 pockets plus a trolley sleeve and clamshell opening, making it ideal for travel.

LeSportsac Daniella Crossbody

Thieves are more likely to pounce when they know your belongings are out of your sight. “Criminals know there is less scrutiny of their actions once they are on board the aircraft,” says Figgins. “Other passengers are often distracted by watching movies, talking to their traveling companions, or enjoying the in-flight service. On most airlines, there is little or no CCTV in the main cabin, apart from the cockpit door and galley areas.” 

One way Case recommends guaranteeing your valuables are close by is with a crossbody bag — specifically this versatile, durable, and all-purpose version from LeSportsac. She also shared this practical tip in the age of carry-on restrictions: “When you’re boarding the plane and need to consolidate bags to meet the bag limit restrictions, put your crossbody in your backpack or personal item bag” rather than leaving it unattended in your suitcase. 

Sure Lock TSA-compatible Luggage Lock 2-pack

To deter thieves, “always use locks on your suitcases,” Case advises. But make sure they meet TSA standards so you can use them on all your bags, whether you carry them on or check them. “These are my favorite,” she says of this Sure Lock set. The hardened stainless steel locks allow you to easily set your own combination by flicking a switch. And if you do check your bags, you can tell when luggage has been inspected as soon as you pick it up at the airport by way of a pop-up indicator. That way, you can inspect to make sure nothing has gone missing before you even leave the airport.

Adding a lock to your personal item bag isn’t a bad idea either. In fact, Figgins considers the area under the seat in front of you to be the safest place for your travel bags. 

Alpha Keeper Money Belt

“I suggest using a money belt under your clothing to hold your IDs and your important documents,” Case explained, noting that it can keep them close to your body and completely out of view from would-be thieves. Not only will this give you peace of mind while you doze off, but Figgins pointed out that wearing a money belt is a foolproof way to keep all valuables (think: credit cards, jewelry, smartphones, and other enticing items) safe when you’re moving around the cabin. “Going to the bathroom on board a flight is a prime time for a theft to occur, so either check your valuables before you go to the bathroom and when you get back, or take them with you,” he says. 

Flippysox Sock Wallet

“Be careful when sleeping and keep your belongings close to you,” Case adds — and these socks are one clever way to do just that. This wallet sock is similar in concept to the money belt but less bulky across your midsection. The socks have zippers to hold your essentials close to your body and out of view of others. Made of a cotton-polyester blend, these are comfy and will keep your feet warm, too. 

Vivinin Luggage Handle Wraps 6-pack

“Use a unique identifier on your bag so it’s less likely to be mixed up or grabbed from someone else,” Case shared. This could be anything from a sticker or patch to a ribbon — or something that does double duty, such as these brightly colored neoprene handle wraps. In addition to identifying your bags at a glance, they also help cushion handles for comfortable carrying.

Bobino Zipper Clip

Zippers are everywhere on roller bags, duffels, backpacks, and purses — but they’re tempting for would-be thieves. Make your own bag’s zipper the one they pass over by sealing it up with a clip meant to keep your cargo secure and deter thieves. Just clip it on to secure the zipper or luggage cord; then, twist and unclasp it to open. “Having something as simple as a lock on your bag will deter most criminals,” Figgins said, “as it’s an additional layer they have to overcome, so they are likely to move on to a softer target.”

Witroman Belt Bag

Although I typically carry a shoulder bag as a purse, I prefer to keep my essentials (passport, cash, phone, medicines, and the like) in a waist pack for air travel days. This is not only ideal as a hands-free option, but it keeps my stuff close to my body where I can easily access it — but thieves cannot. This no-fuss version is on sale at a deep discount right now, making it a no-brainer buy.

SightPro Laptop Privacy Screen

Since I travel a lot for work, I always have my laptop with me on planes. And I know that potentially exposes me to various kinds of in-flight theft — not just someone stealing my computer, but someone looking over my shoulder and stealing identity or financial data. This privacy panel blacks out the screen when viewed from the side (and I think that’s also a courteous thing to do when I’m watching R-rated movies and there are kids around).

How to Report In-flight Theft 

In the event that you are the victim of in-flight theft, Figgins has a game plan to correctly report the incident and get you one step closer to your stolen items.

Take Stock of Your Belongings Before, During, and After the Flight

“As soon as you realize something is missing, you must contact a member of the cabin crew,” he instructed. “Provide as much detail as possible, including a detailed description of what has been taken, when you last saw it, and when you realized it was missing.” Photos of the missing articles are also helpful. 

Notify a Crew Member

“This is not the time to be quiet or discreet; be vocal and encourage other passengers to check their belongings,” Figgins said. “The chances are that if it’s happened to you, it’s happened to others and there’s strength in numbers when it comes to getting the cabin crew to address the situation.” He mentions that thieves may leave your possessions somewhere they will be found since they don’t want the police to get involved or be found with stolen items on them.

File a Police Report 

“If you want to make an insurance claim, you will need a police report,” he noted. In-flight theft often goes unreported because of the time it may take to do so, but it’s important to let the police know — and hopefully, your items, or other people’s belongings, can be recovered. 

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