An innocent mistake, of course, but people have their luggage lost or stolen (or mistakenly lifted) way more often than you might imagine. In fact, 15% of customer complaints in the airline industry are related to luggage.

Unfortunately, yes, luggage is stolen in 2026, though the methods have shifted with technology. The most common areas for theft are unattended baggage carousels in airport arrivals and the storage racks on trains or buses. While "baggage handler" theft exists, it is less common due to the ubiquitous use of high-definition security cameras in airport sorting rooms. In 2026, "smart" thieves often target bags that they suspect contain high-value electronics or luxury goods. To prevent this, many travelers now use GPS trackers like AirTags or Tile devices hidden inside their suitcases, which allow them to track a stolen bag in real-time. Additionally, using a TSA-approved lock provides a basic deterrent against "opportunistic" zippers. The best protection remains a good travel insurance policy and keeping your most valuable items—jewelry, passports, and laptops—in your carry-on bag which stays with you at all times. If a bag is stolen from a carousel, you must report it to both the airline and the local police immediately to begin the claims process.