The Best and Worst US Airlines for Lost Luggage
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The U.S. Airlines That Mishandle Luggage the Most
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Tips for Preventing Lost Luggage
- Pack an Apple Air Tag or other tracking device inside your luggage
- Remove any old airline stickers or baggage tags before checking your bag
- Clearly label your luggage with your current contact information
- Avoid booking connecting flights
Here’s a good reason to travel carry-on only next time you fly—U.S. airlines lost or mishandled over 7 million pieces of luggage from 2021 to 2024. (Mishandled luggage refers to any bag that has been lost, delayed, damaged, or stolen.)
Luggage shipping site MyBaggage.com analyzed data released by the U.S. Department of Transportation for the period of January 2021 to January 2024 to determine the best and worst airlines for luggage handling.
American Airlines was deemed to be the worst airline for luggage handling, mishandling over two hundred million bags over the three-year period studied.
If you must check a bag, try to fly on Spirit Airlines. This budget carrier was surprisingly the best airline for checked luggage. According to MyBaggage.com, Spirit Airlines mishandled around 4.93 pieces of luggage per every 1,000 pieces checked.
| Rank | <br> Airline | <br> Total Pieces of Luggage Handled | <br> Total Pieces of Luggage Mishandled | <br> Luggage mishandled per 1,000 Enplaned |
| <br> 1 <br> | <br> American Airlines | <br> 200,911,727 | <br> 1,750,009 | <br> 8.71 |
| <br> 2 | <br>Envoy Air | <br> 27,171,489 | <br> 224,236 | <br> 8.25 |
| <br> 3 | <br>Republic Airways | <br> 27,750,643 | <br> 194,667 | <br> 7.01 |
| <br> 4 | <br> Alaska Airlines | <br> 60,185,459 | <br> 402,781 | <br> 6.69 |
| <br> 5 | <br>United Airlines | <br> 144,882,284 | <br> 932,219 | <br> 6.43 |
| <br> 6 | <br> PSA Airlines | <br> 34,143,991 | <br> 207,060 | <br> 6.06 |
| <br> 7 | <br>JetBlue Airways | <br> 44,312,369 | <br> 251,388 | <br> 5.67 |
| <br> 8 | SkyWest Airlines | <br> 83,196,475 | <br> 439,290 | <br> 5.28 |
| <br> 9 | <br>Delta Airlines | <br> 217,187,414 | <br> 1,107,525 | <br> 5.10 |
| <br> 10 | <br>Spirit Airlines | <br> 37,613,743 | <br> 185,610 | <br> 4.93 |
Reduce the chances of lost luggage by following these tips: