If you are a frequent traveller then, statistically, the chances are you’ve had your luggage mishandled – in 2006, the Association of European Airlines stated that around 15 out of every 1,000 cases may be ‘mishandled’. That means that every year almost 30 million bags are broken into, stolen, tampered with or simply lost – that’s around 3,000 bags being mishandled every hour!

A huge range of tactics have been employed to try and combat the case of mishandled luggage. People have tried a variety of solutions, including securing the inbuilt lock, putting a padlock on the zipper, using Zipties, and even wrapping the bag in cling film! Unfortunately, these methods only really give you peace of mind and they are much easier to break into than you may think. This video shows, in clear detail, just how easy it is for a thief to break into a traditional suit case.

The answer for many travellers is to not take any checked baggage and instead try to get everything into their carry on. However, sometimes this just isn’t practical – especially if you have a lot of luggage or bulky items. The best thing you can do to protect your items is to take anything expensive, like cameras, laptops and money with you in your carry on – even if they are broken into thieves probably won’t steal your Sunday best.

One of the areas you need to be careful around is the baggage carousel as it is a hot spot for snatch-and-grab robbers. They can quickly take your bag off the conveyer belt and leave before you notice this has happened. This is mostly likely to happen with the generic black wheelie bags, in fact it often happens as a genuine mistake! If you have a unique flight case you can deter thieves as it stands out from the rest making it obvious if someone is trying to steal it.

Dragon Cases create custom flight cases not only help get your fragile equipment to a destination safely, but they are much more robust than a standard travel bag with no easy break-in points. With each case being specifically tailored to your needs, you can add as much security as you’d like. Dragon cases flight cases are completely unique, which means that snatch-and-grab thieves are likely to leave it alone. To find out more about getting a unique flight case visit the rest of our website or call our team on 01633 791 590.

Technology is ever advancing, creeping into every area of our lives and changing the way we live. Realistically, it was only a matter of time before our luggage succumbed to technical innovation. Here are some of the biggest advancements in the development of suitcases:

Multipurpose bags

Many manufacturers are working on creating bags to suit all your needs. One way they have done this is by producing bags that grow, shrink and change shape to fit any situation. These new generation modular bags have been created to help make bag selection easier for everyone, whether they are on an overnight business trip or a year traveling abroad. There have been several early-stage bags like this that have been brought out. Manufacturers are constantly developing these units to be more comfortable, practical and easier to use. The picture shows what some of the latest modular luggage backpacks look like.  

Advanced functionality

In this day and age everyone wants the best functionality out of their items, and flight cases are no exception. Genius Pack has been designed to be the most practical,

well-designed suitcase on the market, offering a solution for all traveling problems. One of the most useful aspects of the Genius Pack is the laundry compression technology which allows you to expel unwanted air through an air-valve. Other features include: internal compartments, a recharging station for mobile phones, a pop-out umbrella and integrated speakers.

Never lose your luggage again

Losing your suitcase is often marked as the most irritating thing that can happen on holiday. Now, with the help of two IT travel companies, you can install a tracker to your bag allowing you to monitor its progress on your smart phone or via Facebook. The sophisticated tagging method designed by SITA is already used commercially but it’s hoped that this scheme rolled out to the public will help reduce the amount of luggage that is lost.

Fashion think future

Louis Vuitton have joined the pursuit of hi-tech suitcases by creating a luxury trunk that has everything to keep your belongings organised and provide entertainment if you get stranded on a desert island. The designer case includes enough gadgets to make the USS Enterprise jealous, it has a TV with DVD player, iPod dock and speakers, and even a petrol powered coffee maker! So maybe this isn’t a practical suitcase but it definitely has all the accessories you’d want if you got in a situation like Lost!

At Dragon Cases we may not integrate out flight cases with every gadget under the sun, but we do create bespoke cases to help keep you items safe during your travels. If you are looking for a top quality a case or padded bag to keep your valuable gadgets safe then give us a ring on 01633 791 590!

At Dragon Cases we use the latest materials and technology in our transit cases (just take a look at our Plastazote custom interiors), which is why we love to keep abreast of new technological developments in the world of luggage. This is one of the most wacky, wonderful and hi-tech inventions we’ve come across in a long time…

Hop! is a prototype creation from Spanish student Rodrigo Garcia Gonzalez. It’s a clever (if slightly wobbly) transit case which follows the Bluetooth signal in its owners’ phone, allowing the hi-tech, gizmo-crazy traveller to walk hands-free around the concourses and waiting rooms of airports across the globe.

The suitcase runs along on two caterpillar tracks, powered by a microprocessor which is controlled by three sensors in the case. Should your bag become lost, it will lock itself and vibrate your phone until the two of you are reunited once more.

It’s a little slow and more than a little shaky, so you won’t be sprinting for a plane with Hop! in tow just yet, but it’s quite a neat idea. You can take a look at the contraption in action below:

According to the 28 year old inventor, “it’s not working 100% yet” but he intends to take the invention forward in the future.

In the meantime, Dragon Cases specialise in hi-spec transit cases, designed to keep your cargo safe and sound as it travels the world. From custom cases for challenging luggage, to carefully designed padded bags for delicate cargo – to discuss your requirements, please contact our team today on 01633 791590.

Joining our custom flight cases on their travels across the world this week are hundreds upon thousands of blooms and blossoms from across the globe. That’s right, it’s Valentine’s Day and, air freight has been increased significantly to keep up with all the bouquets jetting across the world.

South America and Africa are the key suppliers of our floral love tokens come February and it is flights from countries including Kenya, Ecuador and Columbia which will be full of flowers winging their way to beaus and sweethearts the world over.

Just like the cargoes of Dragon Cases customers, flowers take a lot of care during shipping to ensure they arrive in the arms of loved-up recipients in perfect condition. While our bespoke flight cases take extra special, carefully designed care of your items, flowers must be kept at optimum temperature to ensure they don’t wilt or die in transport.

For those of you with a strong Green conscience, don’t worry. Importing Valentine’s flowers in this way is actually less damaging to the environment than growing the blooms during Europe’s cold winter. The irrigation and heat required generates even more Carbon emissions than flying blooms in from milder climes like Quito in Ecuador .

So many flowers are being flown in for our special day of love that extra cargo flights have been chartered to ensure supply meets demand. That’s a lot of love.

If you’re transporting objects just as delicate as roses, Dragon Cases can help. We create cases specially designed using the most  technologically advanced materials to protect your freight as it travels the world. To find out more, please explore the rest of Dragon Cases online, or contact our team today on 01633 791590.

Happy New Year! We hope you had a great 2012 and are looking forward to a happy 2013. As specialists in the design and manufacture of transport and storage cases, Dragon Cases enjoyed a successful and varied 2012.  Our bespoke service which offers custom flight cases, poly cases, fibre transit cases and stitched padded bags provided a range of companies with case solutions in 2012.  Dragon Cases supplied cases for industries as diverse as motoring, film and television and fashion, meeting a wide range of needs and requirements.

Dragon Cases have been pleased to work with some high profile clients in 2012, for example the BBC and Mclaren.  Both companies asked Dragon Cases to produce shock-mounted rack cases for carrying servers and monitoring equipment.  These cases are designed in such a way to give this sensitive and valuable equipment a high level of robust protection from the elements. 

Meanwhile, multi-national defence technology company Qinetiq requested two junction box flight cases and Siemens were supplied with two foam lined general storage flight cases.  Dragon Cases were also commissioned by Leicester Royal Infirmary to produce a poly case in which to transport a full sized manikin. 

Dragon Cases’ reputation for producing solid, ultra reliable cases preceded them when Surrey Satellite asked them to produce a range of cases designed to carry satellite solar panels worth in excess of £100,000 each.  The Manx Motorcycle Club also contacted Dragon Cases to produce a case for something special – the Isle of Mann TT trophy.  Dragon Cases have history in the sporting arena - three years ago they were asked to produce the flight cases that ensure the Ryder Cup travels around the world safely.

Other projects have also included producing 100 N-Case style cases for carrying printers for the printer company Brother.  The fashion world even got in touch – Burberry ordered several flight cases containing drawers with foam inserts intended to carry candle holders to exhibitions.

Dragon Cases are now looking forward to working with a diverse range of clients in 2013.  As the UK’s leading flight case specialist, Dragon Cases expects a busy year ahead producing customised cases for some really exciting companies.