Catching a flight and losing your luggage is a traveler’s worst nightmare. Sometimes, the luggage is located, but sometimes it’s not.
Price4Limo recently revealed results of its survey that found more than half of the people surveyed said an airline had lost their luggage in the past, and just 34% of them have received their missing bags. In fact, 78% of people surveyed said they get nervous about checking bags, Travel + Leisure reported.
“Losing luggage is always a painful ordeal, regardless of the airport or airline you fly out of,” Rachel Kirsch, a creative strategist for Price4Limo, told T+L. “Regardless of where you travel, lost luggage can be a nightmare come true. Unfortunately, odds are if it hasn’t happened to you already, it’ll likely happen at some point during your travels.”
American Airlines lost the most bags this year, losing 850 bags per 100,000. JetBlue, Alaska Airlines, and United Airlines followed behind.
Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport had the most issues regarding lost luggage, followed by Las Vegas’ Harry Reid International Airport and San Diego International Airport.
Of the travelers surveyed, who lost luggage, 72% said they lost an irreplaceable item.
Luggage issues spiked as airlines and airports struggled to keep up with demand amid staffing shortages and air traffic control problems. Still, it’s not a new problem in the travel industry. In 2021 the number of delayed, damaged, lost, or stolen bags increased by 24%.
If you lose your luggage, you should contact the airline immediately and make sure to keep your baggage claim check slip. Also, take a picture of your bags.
