No traveler wants to deal with the frustration of lost or damaged luggage, yet mishandled bags are an unfortunate reality for many flyers. Whether it's the hassle of waiting for lost items to be returned or the stress of realizing irreplaceable belongings are gone for good, luggage mishaps can put a serious damper on your trip. This report spotlights the airlines most likely to mishandle your bags, revealing which carriers you might want to be more cautious about the next time you pack for a flight.

Key Takeaways

• American Airlines mishandles more luggage than any other airline, with 8.1 pieces per 1,000 checked bags.
• American Airlines makes up nearly one-quarter of all mishandled bags.
• Over 1 in 4 flyers have experienced lost bags, and over 1 in 3 have had damaged bags.
• 24% of those who lost luggage never recovered it.
• On average, flyers lost $457 in value, and 44% were not compensated by the airline.
• 31% who lost their luggage have avoided flying with the airline again.

Luggage Loss by Airline
This section breaks down the number of mishandled checked bags — those lost, damaged, delayed, or stolen — per 1,000 checked bags across major and regional airlines.

• American Airlines mishandles more luggage than any other airline: 8.1 pieces per 1,000 checked bags.
• For every 1,000 checked bags, United Airlines mishandled 6.4.
• Nearly a quarter of all mishandled luggage last year was due to American Airlines (24%).
• Southwest Airlines has the second-highest percentage of all mishandled bags (23%), followed by United Airlines (14%) and Delta Air Lines (13%).

Lost Money and Items

• Over 1 in 4 flyers have experienced lost luggage (28%), and over 1 in 3 have had damaged bags (34%).
• On average, it took 7 days for passengers to recover their lost luggage.
• 24% of those who lost luggage never recovered it.
• 10% lost an irreplaceable item, like an heirloom.
• On average, flyers lost $457 in value, and 44% were not compensated by the airline.

Checking Concerns

• 46% of flyers avoid checking their bags to prevent possible loss or damage.
• 34% are very concerned an airline will lose or damage their luggage.
• 31% of travelers avoid flying with an airline again after they lose their luggage.

Methodology

This analysis is based on data from the 2024 Air Travel Consumer Reports, providing insights into airline performance regarding mishandled luggage. We also surveyed 1,000 Americans, 93% of whom have traveled by plane, to focus on their experiences with lost, damaged, delayed, or stolen luggage, as well as their attitudes toward checking bags.

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Fair Use Statement

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