The Best Ways to Carry a Suit on an Airplane
Grappling with the logistics of air travel is surely never more difficult than when trying to figure out how to transport a suit safely from one destination to the other without it getting overly wrinkled. Especially on a business trip or when headed to an important function shortly after landing. Instead of tossing the suit into a suitcase, fingers crossed, hoping for the best, take proper care of it to ensure it's wearable upon arrival at your destination.
Hanging Bag
If only there were some sort of storage item made for carrying suits... Wait; hanging bags are designed to do just that. Check with your airline about its carry-on luggage restrictions to find out whether you can bring a suit in a hanging bag onto the flight. If so, hang the suit and its accessories, such as a dress shirt and tie, in the bag. Most hanging bags fold in half, making them easier to stow in the plane's overhead compartment. Otherwise, ask if a flight attendant can hang the bag for you.
Folding
It's possible to carefully fold a suit so it won't become excessively creased or wrinkled by touchdown. Turn the suit jacket inside out and fold it into quarters; having the inner lining turned to the outside helps prevent the jacket from becoming visibly creased. Fold the pants in half or thirds, with an item such as a T-shirt placed at each fold to soften it. Place the folded suit in a full suitcase; the other items press against it and prevent it from sliding around and unfolding as the suitcase gets flipped and jostled around.
Rolling
Rolling items up to pack in a suitcase saves space and also prevents wrinkles and disheveling. Lay the suit jacket and pants on a hard surface, smooth them out, and roll each item tightly from one end to the other. Once rolled, place each component of the suit in a suitcase or carry-on bag, space permitting.
Wearing
Another option is simply to wear the suit on your trip. This gets around having to pack it altogether, and can minimize wrinkling. Of course, suits do get a little wrinkled as they're worn and sat in; take the jacket off for the flight and either ask a flight attendant to hang the garment for you or lay it carefully across your lap. Much of the wrinkling that occurs will be around your butt, so it will be hidden once the jacket's back on. A suit can be uncomfortable to wear during long flights, so this method is preferable for shorter flights. Be careful when eating or drinking on the flight, and maybe skip carrying on those 3.4 ounces of cranberry sauce.