The Airline That Lost The Most Luggage In 2024

Unfortunately, some of us have been there — you arrive at your destination and head over to baggage claim, only to be the last person standing with your bag nowhere in sight. Losing your luggage is never fun, and one airline has consistently ranked as the worst for lost luggage over the last few years, including for 2024. Various reports analyzing data from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) revealed that American Airlines mishandles approximately 8.71 bags per 1,000 on average, which is way above most competitors (although United is not far behind in second place). Over the three years leading up to 2024, the airline reportedly lost or delayed over 1.7 million bags out of more than 200 million handled.

American Airlines is a massive airliner, meaning it handles more bags and there is more room for error. However, ranking in the unfortunate top spot for several years shows that this is an ongoing problem that hasn't been getting much better. American Airlines has not said it plans to invest in tracking tech for bags (like RFID), but it did reveal in 2022 some improvements to its handling (there are a lot of things airlines do to your luggage after it gets checked) that were meant to remedy some of the baggage mishandling situations. Still, with these numbers, we'd feel better using a tracking device. If you don't use AirTags to keep track of your luggage on its journey, there are other effective ways to track your luggage to give you more peace of mind, including Samsung's Galaxy SmartTag2.

Lost luggage is an all-too-common frustration, but acting fast can make a big difference. The very first thing you should do if your luggage gets lost during travel is report the missing bag to the airline's baggage service office before leaving the airport. Also, check your airline's website for more specific instructions and information about its lost and damaged baggage policies.

Keep receipts for any essentials you purchase, as airlines will typically reimburse reasonable expenses for delayed luggage (like toothpaste, pajamas, change of clothes, etc.). Most airlines require a waiting period usually between 5 and 14 days (Delta's is 21 days) before declaring your bag officially lost. At that point, you can file a claim, including an inventory of lost items and their estimated value. For domestic flights, you may be entitled to compensation of up to $3,800, according to the DOT. Lastly, be both patient and persistent. Stay organized and follow up regularly until your situation is resolved.

Whenever you are checking bags, it's wise to take pictures of everything you pack in case there are disputes during the compensation/reimbursement phase. Some airlines may require receipts for valuable items, so keep those handy (although we'd recommend not checking anything too valuable in the first place). Of course, sticking to only carry-on is a surefire way to avoid losing your stuff. The former CEO of American Airlines, Doug Parker, once said his biggest piece of advice to family and friends is to never check a bag (via Daily Mail). That's pretty telling.