A warning for Spain-bound flight passengers over dangerous evacuation mistakes

A passport, phone or handbag may feel impossible to leave behind in an emergency, but aviation experts warn that reaching for cabin baggage during an aircraft evacuation can cost other passengers vital seconds. The warning comes as millions prepare for summer flights to and from Spain, with officials saying travellers are still stopping to grab bags or film evacuations despite crew instructions.

Why grabbing a bag can put other passengers at risk

For many passengers, the instinct is understandable. A passport, phone, wallet, medication or handbag may be sitting just above their head or under the seat in front. But in an aircraft evacuation, those few seconds spent reaching for a bag could put other people in danger.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has launched a new passenger safety campaign warning travellers not to collect cabin baggage or stop to film during aircraft evacuations.

The campaign, called Save a Life, Not a Bag , comes as airlines prepare for the busy summer travel season, when millions of passengers will be flying between the UK, Spain and other European destinations.

How hand luggage can block exits and evacuation slides

IATA said passengers are increasingly stopping to collect baggage or take photos during evacuations, despite crew instructions.

The concern is that aircraft evacuations depend on speed, and someone opening an overhead locker to save their laptop, blocking the aisle while doing so or carrying a suitcase down an evacuation slide can delay the passengers behind them.

IATA warned that bags can block exits, cause people to fall, injure other passengers, damage evacuation slides and slow movement through the cabin.

The risk is not only to the passenger who grabs the bag. It can affect everyone waiting behind them to evacuate the aircraft. 

Mallorca evacuation shows how quickly a routine flight can turn frightening

The warning has particular relevance for travellers flying to and from Spain, one of Europe’s busiest summer destinations for British passengers.

In July 2025, passengers on a UK-bound Ryanair flight from Palma Airport in Mallorca were evacuated after a false alarm during safety demonstrations, where a reported eighteen people were injured during the incident.

Although emergency evacuations remain rare, the event showed how quickly a routine flight can turn into a frightening situation.

For passengers travelling through airports including Malaga, Alicante, Palma, Barcelona, Madrid and Tenerife this summer, the message from aviation safety is very straight-forward: when the crew say evacuate, leave everything behind. 

What passengers should keep close before take-off

The advice does not ignore the anxiety many travellers feel about losing essential items. 

IATA said passengers are less likely to reach for baggage if the most important items are already secured on them before take-off and landing.

That means keeping essentials including a passport, money, bank card and urgent medication in a pocket, small pouch or secure place on the body where possible, rather than in an overhead locker. 

It also means paying attention to the safety demonstration, even on familiar routes, and knowing where the nearest usable exit is.

What crew need passengers to do in an evacuation to ensure safety

In the unlikely event of an evacuation, passengers are told to follow crew instructions immediately, leave all baggage behind, avoid filming or taking photos, keep moving and exit quickly.

IATA’s passenger research found that while 80 per cent of travellers surveyed said they knew what to do in an emergency evacuation, only 61 per cent correctly said they should leave all personal items behind.

One in 10 admitted they may still take baggage during an evacuation, even if told not to. That is the behaviour the campaign is trying to change before the summer peak.

The safest logic to follow is that material objects can be replaced. Time lost during an evacuation cannot.