Uploaded June 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
In an emergency, every second counts. Yet some passengers still stop to retrieve luggage and film when time is critical.
These actions can block aisles, delay others, and put lives at risk.
That is why IATA has launched Save a Life, Not a Bag, a passenger safety campaign supported by the Federal Aviation Administration and the EASA - European Union Aviation Safety Agency to raise awareness of safe emergency evacuation behavior.
Evacuations don’t have to be a wild process as shown by some familiar “behaviors in the wild.”
What should do instead?
In the unlikely event of an aircraft evacuation:
- Pay Attention to Crew Instructions: During an emergency, cabin crew are trained to guide passengers to safety. Listening carefully and responding immediately can save valuable time.
- Leave All Baggage Behind: Stopping to retrieve luggage delays everyone behind you. Even a few seconds can make a critical difference during an evacuation.
- Don’t Film or Photograph: Using phones or stopping to record events can create dangerous congestion and distract passengers from evacuating quickly.
- Keep Aisles and Exits Clear: Large bags and carry-ons can obstruct aisles and emergency exits, slowing down the evacuation process for everyone onboard.
- Don’t Take Bags onto Evacuation Slides: Bringing hard or wheeled luggage onto evacuation slides can damage equipment and seriously injure passengers.
- Be Prepared: Keep essential small personal items, such as medication, passports, or keys, secured on your person whenever possible. Preparation helps avoid delays in an emergency.
Learn more: iata.org/en/youandiata/travelers/evacuation-safety
In an emergency, every second counts. Yet some passengers still stop to retrieve luggage and film when time is critical.
These actions can block aisles, delay others, and put lives at risk.
That is why IATA has launched Save a Life, Not a Bag, a passenger safety campaign supported by the Federal Aviation Administration and the EASA - European Union Aviation Safety Agency to raise awareness of safe emergency evacuation behavior.
Evacuations don’t have to be a wild process as shown by some familiar “behaviors in the wild.”
What should do instead?
In the unlikely event of an aircraft evacuation:
- Pay Attention to Crew Instructions: During an emergency, cabin crew are trained to guide passengers to safety. Listening carefully and responding immediately can save valuable time.
- Leave All Baggage Behind: Stopping to retrieve luggage delays everyone behind you. Even a few seconds can make a critical difference during an evacuation.
- Don’t Film or Photograph: Using phones or stopping to record events can create dangerous congestion and distract passengers from evacuating quickly.
- Keep Aisles and Exits Clear: Large bags and carry-ons can obstruct aisles and emergency exits, slowing down the evacuation process for everyone onboard.
- Don’t Take Bags onto Evacuation Slides: Bringing hard or wheeled luggage onto evacuation slides can damage equipment and seriously injure passengers.
- Be Prepared: Keep essential small personal items, such as medication, passports, or keys, secured on your person whenever possible. Preparation helps avoid delays in an emergency.
Learn more: iata.org/en/youandiata/travelers/evacuation-safety
