Where Airlines Are Most Likely To Lose Your Luggage

The map above shows where airlines are most likely to lose your luggage.

The data comes from Luggage Losers by @levelsio, and is calculated in the following way:

How it works? My robot scrapers scour the internet 24/7 for people talking about their lost luggage and which airlines they flew, in 100+ different languages. By cross referencing that with actual lost luggage data it estimates very closely how much luggage is constantly being lost. And yes, it takes into account airline size differences by flights and fleet size. All major airlines are tracked 24/7.

Lost Luggage By Country

Rank	Country	Lost bags (last 30 days)	Probability of losing per passenger	Percentage
1	Ireland	28,841	1 in 93	1.07%
2	India	62,015	1 in 96	1.04%
3	Spain	33,238	1 in 122	0.82%
4	United Kingdom	102,926	1 in 125	0.80%
5	Switzerland	6,989	1 in 136	0.73%
6	Canada	52,308	1 in 191	0.52%
7	Hungary	5,117	1 in 198	0.50%
8	Greece	3,754	1 in 201	0.50%
9	Philippines	3,713	1 in 203	0.49%
10	Austria	5,536	1 in 236	0.42%
11	Argentina	3,747	1 in 238	0.42%
12	Qatar	13,888	1 in 243	0.41%
13	Morocco	3,261	1 in 259	0.39%
14	Colombia	9,777	1 in 272	0.37%
15	Netherlands	6,554	1 in 274	0.36%
16	Germany	22,158	1 in 328	0.30%
17	Kenya	1,848	1 in 333	0.30%
18	Chile	5,119	1 in 369	0.27%
19	Ethiopia	2,811	1 in 377	0.27%
20	Iceland	1,404	1 in 383	0.26%
21	Azerbaijan	936	1 in 410	0.24%
22	Egypt	1,858	1 in 447	0.22%
23	Turkey	11,144	1 in 454	0.22%
24	United Arab Emirates	14,509	1 in 471	0.21%
25	Serbia	931	1 in 495	0.20%
26	Portugal	1,855	1 in 522	0.19%
27	Bahrain	929	1 in 546	0.18%
28	Singapore	3,260	1 in 547	0.18%
29	Pakistan	926	1 in 547	0.18%
30	United States	174,337	1 in 569	0.18%
31	France	5,557	1 in 625	0.16%
32	Australia	2,809	1 in 695	0.14%
33	Mexico	1,408	1 in 775	0.13%
34	Finland	1,404	1 in 864	0.12%
35	New Zealand	924	1 in 1,014	0.10%
36	Hong Kong	1,843	1 in 1,067	0.09%
37	Italy	1,390	1 in 1,205	0.08%
38	Sweden	1,396	1 in 1,332	0.08%
39	Thailand	927	1 in 1,343	0.07%
40	Panama	939	1 in 1,489	0.07%
41	Oman	929	1 in 1,819	0.05%
42	Malaysia	1,852	1 in 2,229	0.04%
43	Indonesia	933	1 in 2,355	0.04%
44	Saudi Arabia	934	1 in 3,043	0.03%
45	Japan	463	1 in 7,699	0.01%

Which Airlines Lose the Most Luggage?

At the time of writing the website was tracking 68 different airlines in terms of reports of lost baggage. The worst three airlines in terms of losing luggage were WestJet Airlines, Aer Lingus and Air India. Whereas All Nippon Airways (ANA), Alaska Airlines and Allegiant Air lost the fewest bags.

Here is the full list, but you can see the website for most up-to-date data.

Rank	Airline	Lost bags (last 30 days)	Probability of losing per passenger	Percentage
1	WestJet Airlines	36,882	1 in 51	1.97%
2	Aer Lingus	16,854	1 in 51	1.96%
3	Air India	34,682	1 in 52	1.91%
4	British Airways	59,944	1 in 69	1.46%
5	Iberia	17,052	1 in 73	1.37%
6	SpiceJet	9,722	1 in 96	1.04%
7	easyJet	31,836	1 in 112	0.89%
8	Vueling	14,340	1 in 122	0.82%
9	Swiss	6,989	1 in 136	0.73%
10	Spirit Airlines	13,531	1 in 139	0.72%
11	Jet2	9,273	1 in 141	0.71%
12	IndiGo	17,612	1 in 167	0.60%
13	Air Canada	14,965	1 in 191	0.52%
14	Wizz Air	5,117	1 in 198	0.50%
15	Aegean Airlines	3,754	1 in 201	0.50%
16	Lufthansa	20,293	1 in 201	0.50%
17	Cebu Pacific	3,713	1 in 203	0.49%
18	Frontier Airlines	6,036	1 in 204	0.49%
19	United Airlines	51,271	1 in 223	0.45%
20	Austrian Airlines	5,536	1 in 236	0.42%
21	Aerolineas Argentinas	3,747	1 in 238	0.42%
22	Qatar Airways	13,888	1 in 243	0.41%
23	Royal Air Maroc	3,261	1 in 259	0.39%
24	Avianca	9,777	1 in 272	0.37%
25	KLM	6,554	1 in 274	0.36%
26	American Airlines	53,074	1 in 275	0.36%
27	flydubai	3,261	1 in 292	0.34%
28	Kenya Airways	1,848	1 in 333	0.30%
29	LATAM Chile	5,119	1 in 369	0.27%
30	Ethiopian Airlines	2,811	1 in 377	0.27%
31	Air Europa	1,846	1 in 383	0.26%
32	Icelandair	1,404	1 in 383	0.26%
33	Virgin Atlantic	1,873	1 in 394	0.25%
34	Azerbaijan Airlines	936	1 in 410	0.24%
35	EgyptAir	1,858	1 in 447	0.22%
36	Turkish Airlines	11,144	1 in 454	0.22%
37	Emirates	7,962	1 in 471	0.21%
38	Delta Air Lines	27,124	1 in 481	0.21%
39	Air Serbia	931	1 in 495	0.20%
40	Etihad Airways	3,286	1 in 519	0.19%
41	TAP Portugal	1,855	1 in 522	0.19%
42	Ryanair	11,987	1 in 529	0.19%
43	Gulf Air	929	1 in 546	0.18%
44	Singapore Airlines	3,260	1 in 547	0.18%
45	Pakistan International Airlines	926	1 in 547	0.18%
46	Air France	5,557	1 in 625	0.16%
47	Qantas	2,809	1 in 695	0.14%
48	Southwest Airlines	15,404	1 in 695	0.14%
49	JetBlue	5,110	1 in 752	0.13%
50	Aeromexico	1,408	1 in 775	0.13%
51	Finnair	1,404	1 in 864	0.12%
52	Eurowings	1,865	1 in 898	0.11%
53	Air New Zealand	924	1 in 1,014	0.10%
54	Cathay Pacific	1,843	1 in 1,067	0.09%
55	Hawaiian Airlines	924	1 in 1,097	0.09%
56	Air Transat	461	1 in 1,199	0.08%
57	ITA Airways	1,390	1 in 1,205	0.08%
58	SAS Scandinavia	1,396	1 in 1,332	0.08%
59	Thai Airways	927	1 in 1,343	0.07%
60	COPA Airlines	939	1 in 1,489	0.07%
61	Oman Air	929	1 in 1,819	0.05%
62	Air Asia	1,390	1 in 1,867	0.05%
63	Garuda Indonesia	933	1 in 2,355	0.04%
64	Malaysia Airlines	462	1 in 2,763	0.04%
65	Saudia	934	1 in 3,043	0.03%
66	Allegiant Air	468	1 in 3,149	0.03%
67	Alaska Airlines	1,395	1 in 3,524	0.03%
68	All Nippon Airways (ANA)	463	1 in 7,699	0.01%

How do Airlines Lose Luggage?

Airlines can lose luggage due to a variety of reasons, which can generally be categorized into several key areas:

1. Transfer Mishaps:
   • Tight Connections: When passengers have tight connections between flights, their luggage might not make it from one plane to another in time.
   • Complex Itineraries: Multiple transfers increase the risk of mishandling luggage, especially if flights are operated by different airlines or at different terminals.
2. Handling Errors:
   • Tagging Mistakes: Incorrect or missing baggage tags can cause luggage to be sent to the wrong destination.
   • Loading Errors: Baggage handlers might accidentally load luggage onto the wrong plane.
3. Security and Customs Delays:
   • Additional Screening: If a bag needs extra screening or customs inspection, it can be delayed or misplaced.
   • Confiscation: Items that are not permitted might be removed, causing the bag to be held back.
4. Technical Issues:
   • System Failures: Technical failures in baggage handling systems can lead to lost or misdirected luggage.
   • Barcode Scanning Problems: Malfunctioning scanners can result in bags not being properly tracked.
5. Human Error:
   • Miscommunication: Miscommunication between ground staff and flight crew can lead to luggage being left behind.
   • Manual Handling Mistakes: Manual errors during the loading and unloading process can result in bags being misplaced.
6. Weather and Flight Disruptions:
   • Flight Cancellations and Delays: Disruptions in flight schedules can cause baggage to be separated from passengers.
   • Weather Conditions: Adverse weather can lead to operational chaos, increasing the likelihood of lost luggage.
7. Unclaimed or Abandoned Luggage:
   • Passenger Mistakes: Passengers might forget to pick up their luggage or mistakenly take someone else’s.
   • Unclaimed Bags: Bags left unclaimed for extended periods can be moved to storage and eventually considered lost.
8. Label Damage:
   • Wear and Tear: Labels can become damaged or detached during transit, making it difficult to identify the bag’s destination.

What to do if your luggage is lost?

If your luggage is lost, here are the steps you should take:

1. Report Immediately:
   • Go to the airline’s baggage service desk as soon as you realize your luggage is missing. This is usually located near the baggage claim area.
   • Fill out a Property Irregularity Report (PIR). Provide detailed information about your luggage and contact details.
2. Keep Documentation:
   • Retain all your travel documents, including your boarding pass and baggage claim ticket. These are essential for tracking and claiming your luggage.
3. Get a Reference Number:
   • Obtain a reference number for your report. This will be crucial for tracking the progress of your claim.
4. Ask About Compensation:
   • Inquire about immediate compensation for essentials. Airlines often provide a stipend or reimbursement for items like toiletries and clothes, especially if you are away from home.
5. Track Your Luggage:
   • Use the airline’s baggage tracking service if available. Many airlines have online tools or apps that let you check the status of your luggage. You might want to also consider air tags or air tags alternatives.
6. Follow Up:
   • Stay in contact with the airline. Follow up regularly using the reference number provided. Keep a record of all communications for future reference.
7. File a Claim:
   • If your luggage is not found within a certain period (usually 21 days), it is considered lost, and you can file a claim for compensation. Each airline has different policies, so check their website or ask a representative for details.
8. Check Your Travel Insurance:
   • If you have travel insurance, contact your provider to see if your policy covers lost luggage. Provide all necessary documentation to support your claim.
9. Create an Inventory:
   • Make a list of all items in your lost luggage. This will help with your claim and provide an accurate value of your lost possessions.
10. Stay Calm and Patient:
    • Dealing with lost luggage can be frustrating, but staying calm and patient will make the process smoother.

By following these steps, you can increase the chances of recovering your lost luggage or receiving fair compensation for your loss.

What happens to lost luggage that isn’t claimed?

Lost luggage that isn’t claimed undergoes a specific process before it is eventually disposed of or repurposed.

Here is what typically happens to unclaimed baggage:

1. Initial Storage:
   • Airlines store unclaimed luggage in a secure area for a certain period, usually ranging from a few weeks to a few months, depending on the airline’s policy.
2. Efforts to Reunite with Owner:
   • During this time, airlines make considerable efforts to locate and contact the owner. This can include cross-referencing travel itineraries, checking luggage tags, and contacting passengers directly.
3. Further Processing:
   • If the luggage remains unclaimed, it is sent to a central location or facility managed by the airline or a third-party company. Here, further efforts might be made to identify and contact the owner.
4. Legal Holding Period:
   • There is typically a legal holding period, often around 90 days, during which the luggage is held before it is deemed officially unclaimed.
5. Final Disposition:
   • Auction: Many unclaimed bags are auctioned off. Companies like Unclaimed Baggage in the U.S. purchase these bags from airlines and sell the contents in their stores.
   • Charity: Some items are donated to charitable organizations, especially if they are useful but not valuable enough to sell.
   • Recycling/Disposal: Items that cannot be sold or donated may be recycled or disposed of responsibly. This includes perishable items, which are usually discarded much earlier in the process.
6. Special Handling for Personal Items:
   • Personal and sensitive items, such as identification documents, prescription medications, and personal electronics, are typically handled with care. Airlines or third-party companies may destroy these items to protect privacy.
7. Reporting to Authorities:
   • In some cases, items of significant value or those deemed suspicious are reported to the authorities.

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