I'm a flight attendant - these are the packing hacks I've learnt from 16 years ... trends now

Summer holidays are on the horizon, which means packing season is close.

And for many, it's always a struggle to get through it without making fundamental errors.

Even frequent fliers are prone to pack pointless items into a case that was never going to fit into an overhead bin.

To help lessen the stress, retailer House of Fraser partnered with Air France flight attendant Emilie Cooke-Martageix and asked her to share her packing tips. She's been working in plane cabins for 16 years – so no amateur when it comes to the art of suitcase management.

Scroll down for her top tips, which include hacks for saving space and ensuring you never leave anything essential behind - and the perils of a hard-shell case.

Try this trick if you're a frequent flyer

Emilie suggests having essentials ready to go, explaining: 'If you're a frequent flyer or tend to have regular staycations, set aside essential travel items in your backpack or weekend bag. For example, power banks, plug adaptors, travel toiletries, medication and sun cream. Having these essentials handy and ready to go can help you pack quickly for your next trip.'

Deploy this tactic and there's little chance of leaving anything behind.

Never pack these items next to each other

Cabin pressure can have adverse effects on your toiletries. Because of this, Emilie advises: 'The change in air pressure can sometimes cause liquids to leak, even if they are under 100ml and the top is screwed on. To avoid this, I always recommend taking the pad or wipe, or solid bar versions, when possible, to prevent spillages in your backpack.

'For extra precaution, keep important items - like your passport - safe by keeping them in a clear ziplock bag to protect them from accidental spillages so they're fit to travel with.'

Don't take a hardcover suitcase