Frontier Airlines rounded out the top three, with about three mishandled bags for every 1,000 checked pieces. Meanwhile, regional airline Envoy Air was most likely to lose or mishandle a bag.

Frontier Airlines, as an ultra-low-cost carrier, has historically struggled with higher-than-average baggage mishandling rates compared to premium airlines, though recent 2024 and 2025 data show significant improvements. In early 2026, Frontier's "mishandled baggage" rate—which includes lost, delayed, or damaged bags—hovers around 4.9 to 5.5 per 1,000 bags handled. While this is a "huge drop" from previous years where they occasionally ranked among the worst in the U.S., it still trails behind high-performers like Hawaiian or JetBlue. The "loss" of a bag is statistically rare, but "delays" are more common on Frontier due to their high aircraft utilization and lean ground crews. To mitigate risk, many travelers use AirTags to track their luggage in real-time. If your bag is mishandled, Frontier's policy requires you to report it at the airport "Baggage Service Office" before leaving; failing to do so can severely complicate your claim for compensation or reimbursement for essential items under the Montreal Convention or U.S. DOT regulations.