How do airlines track lost luggage?

WorldTracer is an international baggage location system used in 2,000 airports and by 360 companies. It enables airlines to locate lost baggage by tracing an electronic tag that is placed on your luggage when checked in.



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How RFID baggage tracking works. Traditionally, most airlines have used barcoding or optical character recognition to keep track of individual bags throughout their journey. But a code printed on your baggage tag must be plainly visible so that fixed and handheld readers can scan them — and scan them one at a time.

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Once an airline determines that your bag is lost, the airline is responsible for compensating you for your bags' contents - subject to depreciation and maximum liability limits.

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Bags that are missing are tracked using the World Tracer system. Usually, they appear somewhere within a day or two and go on to be reunited with their owners. With most airlines, passengers qualify for compensation after their bags are lost for more than 24 hours to cover necessary expenses.

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Luggage trackers use Bluetooth and GPS signaling to relay the location of the device back to a phone or tablet. Even if you're thousands of miles away, the tracker can usually display a location on a map on your device, which is particularly useful if your luggage gets lost in transit.

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The best luggage trackers, like the Tile Pro Bluetooth Tracker and the Apple AirTag, use GPS or Bluetooth technology to allow you to always know where your bags are—no matter where they end up.

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The airline is liable for damages caused by loss of checked baggage, up to a certain limit: CAD$2,300 (approx.) on itineraries within Canada and international itineries, including to the US; and. US$3,800 on domestic itineraries within the US.

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If you must check your suitcase, try to book a non-stop flight whenever possible — especially if you're flying international. According to SITA, the mishandling rate on international routes is 8.7 bags per thousand passengers; on domestic routes, it's 1.85 bags per thousand. Go carry-on only.

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When it came to airlines that lost the most baggage, that same study found that Atlanta-based Delta Air Lines came in ninth out of 17 major airlines. “Of all national airlines, American Airlines lost the most bags in 2022, losing 850 bags per 100,000.

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However, Apple AirTags have perhaps found the most unexpected success in tracking luggage, particularly after a few high-profile airline operational meltdowns. AirTags are a relatively cheap and easy way to keep tabs on your luggage, making them a helpful accessory for Apple-owning travelers.

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In addition to placing an AirTag in checked luggage, consider placing an AirTag in your carry-on bag. For carry-on bags, you can turn on the Notify When Left Behind option to alert you if you're separated from your carry-on bag — such as leaving it in the lounge or on board the plane when disembarking.

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Lufthansa created all sorts of unnecessary confusion after it initially banned AirTags out of concern that they are powered by a lithium battery and could emit radio signals and potentially interfere with aircraft navigation.

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Newer smart luggage tags on the market are a great option for tracking your baggage and protecting against identity theft. Using a safe sensor, your bag can be monitored via a smartphone app. Tags like Dynotag are waterproof, shatterproof, and have no batteries to worry about.

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Here's a look at some of the best luggage trackers on the market, so you can prepare yourself for the 2023 holiday travel rush.
  • Best Tested. Apple AirTags. Apple AirTags, 4 Pack. ...
  • Eufy SmartTrack Link. Amazon. ...
  • Tile Pro. Amazon. ...
  • Samsung Galaxy SmartTag2. Amazon. ...
  • Tracki GPS Tracker. Amazon. ...
  • AirBolt GPS Tracker. AirBolt.


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An Apple AirTag will help you keep track of important items, including your luggage. Stick one inside your suitcase, within a pocket or encased in a key chain.

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During the first three months of 2023, over 721,000 bags checked on domestic flights were mishandled out of 113 million checked bags in total—an average of 0.64 bags per 100 checked bags, per the U.S. Department of Transportation. That's up from 2019, when 0.59 bags were mishandled per 100 checked bags.

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You will probably get your luggage back; when you do, be sure to give it a thorough check for damage, and missing items. If items are found damaged or missing, the airline should repair them or replace them.

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Air Canada had a total of 3,192 complaints from passengers left without their luggage at either departure or arrival. WestJet came in second with 611 complaints followed by Sunwing with 594 complaints. Then came Air Transat with 261 complaints and Porter with 42 complaints.

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