Bag Wrap, just one company that will sheath your luggage in cling film, with locations in airports all around Europe, states five: that it protects your luggage from damage, deters thieves, weather-proofs it, makes it easily identifiable, and reduces the risk of someone slipping illicit goods into your bag.

Travelers wrap their suitcases in heavy-duty plastic cling film (often at dedicated airport kiosks) for several practical and security-related reasons. First, it provides a theft deterrent; while a determined thief can cut through the film, it prevents "opportunistic" tampering or the quick slipping of contraband into an unlocked pocket. Second, it protects the luggage from physical damage, such as scratches, scuffs, and dirt, which is particularly valuable for expensive hardshell cases. Third, it ensures that the suitcase remains tightly closed if a zipper happens to fail under the pressure of overpacking. Finally, in 2026, many use it to protect their bags from moisture and rain on the tarmac or to prevent bedbugs from hitching a ride in the fabric of soft-sided luggage. It is a peer-to-peer essential to know that if security (like the TSA) needs to inspect your bag, they will cut the film off, and most wrapping services do not offer a free re-wrap, so consider the necessity based on your destination's security reputation and the fragility of your bag.