The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) shared a public warning on Monday, July 13, 2026, advising passengers to leave all belongings behind during emergency aircraft evacuations. Through a video shared on social media, the agency highlighted that attempts to retrieve luggage can delay exits and compromise safety.
The warning is part of an aviation industry safety initiative titled "Save a Life, Not a Bag," which was launched by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) in June 2026. According to the FAA, passengers who stop for bags can block aisles and puncture inflatable emergency slides.
Data from the FAA indicates that more than 40 people have been injured during emergency evacuations since January 1, 2023. Recent examples cited include an August 2025 American Airlines landing gear fire where passengers evacuated with bags, and a May 2026 Frontier Airlines incident where flight attendants were recorded pleading with passengers to leave their belongings. FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford stated that the industry is seeing an "increasing number of passengers not following flight crew instructions during emergencies."
Aircraft evacuations are engineered to be completed in 90 seconds or less. IATA research indicates a gap in passenger understanding; while 80% of flyers claim to know emergency procedures, only 61% are aware that all bags must be left behind. Only 18% of passengers knew of the 90-second timeframe. Approximately one in 10 passengers admitted they might still attempt to take a bag or follow others who do so.
A person stopping to retrieve a bag risks their own life and others. Beyond delays, the FAA noted that items like high-heeled shoes can damage the emergency slides.
The safety protocols are intended to prevent fatalities, such as the 2019 Aeroflot fire in Moscow where 41 people died and experts criticized passengers seen fleeing with luggage. In contrast, the 2024 Japan Airlines evacuation, in which all 379 people survived a collision and fire, was credited by experts to passengers following crew orders and leaving bags behind. The "Save a Life, Not a Bag" initiative utilizes social media and the FAA’s Passenger Evacuation resource page to educate the public.