How often is luggage completely lost?

Carriers handled almost 393 million bags in 2021, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics. They lost over 2 million bags which is 0.51% of all checked bags. Pre-COVID-19 numbers were higher with a 0.59% loss. The percentage lost goes up during busy holiday travel.



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Most eventually turned up—one recent study by industry group SITA found only about 5 percent of lost bags disappear permanently—but with so much luggage temporarily vanishing, airlines knew they had a problem.

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How often is luggage mishandled? According to Luggage Hero, there were more than 684,000 lost and mishandled bags at major US airlines in the first quarter of 2022 alone. The Points Guy notes that this equated to approximately seven bags out of every 1,000, or 0.7%.

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The rate of baggage mishandled across the world is also on the rise: up 24% last year, with 8.7 suitcases per 1,000 international passengers not arriving on time.

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According to Luggage Hero, there were more than 684,000 lost and mishandled bags at major US airlines in the first quarter of 2022 alone. The Points Guy notes that this equated to approximately seven bags out of every 1,000, or 0.7%. American Airlines' average came in slightly higher, at nine per 1,000 or 0.9%.

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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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In general, most luggage will end up being found, so they get classified as “delayed” and not “lost.” But in that immediate time when you're without your belongings, there should be some level of compensation, depending on the exact nature of your situation.

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Europe had the highest rate of mishandled luggage, the report said. “After a decade where the mishandling rate more than halved between 2007 and 2021, it is disheartening to see this rate climbing again,” said SITA chief executive David Lavorel.

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By Euronews Travel Checked baggage is being lost all over the world due to staff shortages. Here's what you can do to arrive at your destination with your luggage. Lost luggage is piling up at Frankfurt Airport as customers face “disgraceful” queues and last-minute cancellations.

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Allegiant Air Allegiant is also the U.S. airline least likely to mishandle your luggage, according to the 2021 Air Travel Consumer Report. Over the 12-month period studied, Allegiant handled 446,862 bags and just 877 were mishandled. The airline only mishandled 1.96 bags out of 1,000.

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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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The leading cause of lost luggage is the mishandling of the bags between flights or from the sorting office to your airplane. Depending on the airport you fly out of, the actual sorting of luggage is done by a robot or workers.

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The good news about lost luggage is that airlines worldwide eventually recover 97% of mishandled bags. Of all mishandled bags, 81% were simply delayed, 16% were damaged or pilfered and 3% were declared lost or stolen and never found.

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What airlines lose the most luggage Europe? And if you've flown in Europe, we probably don't even need to tell you who it was. That's right: Ryanair. It led the pack of damaged luggage claims by a considerable margin, nearly tripling those made against second-place Emirates.

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8 Things You Can Do To Prevent Your Luggage From Getting Lost Forever
  1. How likely is it for my luggage to get lost?
  2. Remove old airline tags and stickers.
  3. Pack essentials in your carry-on.
  4. Get a distinct luggage tag.
  5. Keep your info inside your luggage too!
  6. Get a smart luggage tag.
  7. Remove loose straps from your bags.


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These are the worst airlines for lost and mishandled luggage in the United States:
  • American Airlines. American Airlines is the number one worst airline for losing or damaging your luggage, with 5.34 incidents per 1,000 bags. ...
  • United Airlines. ...
  • Alaska Airlines. ...
  • JetBlue. ...
  • Frontier Airlines. ...
  • Delta Air Lines. ...
  • Hawaiian Airlines.


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If your luggage arrives late at the airport, is damaged or completely lost, you are entitled to compensation of up to 1 500 €. You can also be reimbursed for replacement and so-called emergency purchases (such as toiletries and underwear) by the airline, within reason.

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If your checked-in luggage is lost, damaged or delayed, the airline is liable and you're entitled to compensation up to an amount of approximately EUR 1 300. However if the damage was caused by an inherent defect in the baggage itself, you're not entitled to any compensation.

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Consider filing a lawsuit against the airline in small claims court. Small claims courts handle a wide variety of property-related lawsuits which include lawsuits for lost luggage by an airline. Small claims court is also an affordable and user-friendly way for you to sue an airline for lost or delayed luggage.

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If your baggage has gone missing, the airline has 21 days to find it and deliver it to you. If you get your baggage back within 21 days, you can still claim compensation for delayed baggage. If you don't, you can file a lost baggage claim.

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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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Looking at airlines, American Airlines (AAL) - Get Free Report topped the list of those most likely to lose or damage one's baggage. For every 1,000 suitcases, the airline mishandles 5.34 — the 5% rate is the highest out of all the airlines looked at in the study.

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