Delayed and Lost Luggage: The Worst Airports and How to Handle It

Traveling can be an exciting experience or a necessary task, but it can quickly become stressful if your luggage goes missing. Issues with luggage, such as delays, loss, or damage, can significantly impact your trip. This article explores the common causes of luggage mishandling, identifies the airports notorious for luggage problems, and offers tips for preventing and managing these issues.

What Are Luggage Irregularities?

In 2023, there were 36.1 million mishandled bags. While this number might seem high, with 5.2 billion passengers, this equates to 6.9 mishandled bags per 1,000 passengers. Mishandled luggage falls into these categories:

• Lost: Luggage that is lost or stolen.
• Damaged: Luggage that is damaged or pilfered.
• Delayed: Luggage that arrives after the passenger.

Currently, delayed luggage represents over half (80%) of all mishandled bags, followed by damaged (13%) and lost (7%) luggage.

Delayed luggage is defined as checked baggage that does not arrive at the passenger’s destination at the same time as the passenger, despite being checked in for the same flight. Airlines are required to make reasonable efforts to locate delayed luggage, and if it is not found within 21 days, it is declared lost under the Montreal Convention.

Reasons for Mishandled Luggage

Several factors contribute to mishandled luggage, including:

• Ground staff shortages
• Outdated equipment and technology
• Strikes and other disruptions
• Weather conditions
• Security issues

SITA’s 2023 report on luggage irregularities outlines the following causes:

• Transfer mishandling: 46%
• Failure to load: 16%
• Ticketing errors/bag switch/security/other: 14%
• Airport/customs/weather/space-weight restrictions: 8%
• Loading errors: 8%
• Arrival mishandling: 4%
• Tagging errors: 4%

Transfer mishandling, particularly during international transfers, is the most common cause of luggage issues, with only 16% of mishandled luggage related to domestic flights.

Worst Airports for Mishandled Luggage

There is no single, authoritative list of the worst airports for luggage handling, but some airports frequently appear in various rankings and reports:

• John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), USA
• Miami International Airport (MIA), USA
• Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), USA
• Ezeiza International Airport (EZE), Argentina
• Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ), Canada
• Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK), Thailand
• Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), USA
• Beirut Rafic Hariri International Airport (BEI), Lebanon
• Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG), France
• London Heathrow Airport (LHR), UK
• Dubai International Airport (DXB), UAE
• Frankfurt Airport (FRA), Germany
• Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS), Netherlands
• Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport (SYD), Australia
• San Francisco International Airport (SFO), USA

Notably, Kansai International Airport (KIX) in Japan boasts an impressive 30-year record of never losing a bag since its opening in 1994.

Preventing Mishandled Luggage

While airlines and airports are continually improving their processes, mishandled luggage remains a concern. Here are some tips to minimize your risk:

• Mark and Label Your Luggage: Use distinctive tags or markers and label your bag with your contact details inside and out.
• Arrive on Time: Getting to the airport early helps avoid rushed check-in or security processes, reducing the risk of mishandling.
• Pack Wisely: Avoid packing dangerous items or expensive valuables in checked luggage.
• Opt for Direct Flights: When possible, choose direct flights to avoid the complications of transfers.
• Carry-On Essentials: Pack crucial items and backup necessities in your carry-on to manage in case your luggage is delayed.
• Purchase Travel Insurance: Include luggage coverage in your travel insurance to help reduce stress if issues arise.

Handling Missing Luggage

Although the chance of losing your luggage is less than 1%, it’s important to know how to handle the situation if it occurs:

• Report Immediately: Notify the airline within 24 hours of arrival or immediately after your flight.
• Provide Detailed Information: Supply details about your flight and a description of your bag to aid in its recovery.
• Keep Documentation: Obtain a Property Irregularity Report (PIR) and keep all relevant receipts for any essential purchases made due to delayed luggage.
• File for Compensation: If your luggage is not found within 21 days, file a claim for compensation for lost luggage.

By following these guidelines, you can improve your chances of recovering your luggage or securing appropriate compensation if problems arise.

Safe travels!