Airports With The Worst Luggage Loss Records

Losing luggage is a common issue faced by many travellers, with 55% of air travellers experiencing this issue. While airports themselves do not lose luggage, airlines do, and certain airlines are more prone to this issue than others. In 2021, the Bureau of Transportation Statistics reported that over two million bags were lost, which is about 0.5% of the 400 million bags handled. In 2022, American Airlines was named the worst offender, with over 70,000 incidents of lost, damaged, or delayed luggage.

Chicago O'Hare International Airport: the worst for lost luggage

Losing luggage is a common issue faced by airline passengers, with 55% of US airline passengers having lost their bags. While many factors can contribute to lost luggage, one airport that stands out for its high rate of mishandled baggage is Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD).

According to recent reports and data analyses, O'Hare International Airport has consistently ranked as one of the worst airports in the US for losing luggage. In a report by Price4Limo, which analysed data from the Department of Transportation's Air Consumer Report, O'Hare Airport was identified as the airport that lost the most luggage between July 2021 and July 2022. This issue is not an isolated incident, as O'Hare Airport has a history of struggling with luggage management.

The reasons behind O'Hare Airport's poor track record in handling luggage are multifaceted. One significant factor is the high volume of passenger traffic the airport handles. Chicago O'Hare is one of the busiest airports in the world, serving as a major hub for domestic and international travel. This high volume of passengers and luggage can lead to increased challenges in managing and tracking baggage effectively.

Additionally, staffing shortages and labour strikes have been cited as contributing factors to the airport's struggles. With a shortage of personnel to handle the influx of luggage, bags may be misplaced or mishandled, leading to delays in returning them to their rightful owners. It is worth noting that the issue of lost luggage is not unique to O'Hare Airport, as other airports, such as JFK International Airport and Harry Reid International Airport, have also faced similar challenges.

Despite the high rate of lost luggage, O'Hare Airport has implemented measures to assist passengers in reuniting with their belongings. The airport's Lost and Found department operates through different organisations and locations within the airport, providing dedicated staff to guide travellers through the reporting process. The Lost and Found office remains open throughout the day, and passengers can easily file claims for their missing items.

In conclusion, while Chicago O'Hare International Airport has earned a reputation for being the worst for lost luggage, it is actively working to improve its processes and assist passengers in retrieving their misplaced belongings. The airport's high volume of passenger traffic and staffing shortages present ongoing challenges, but the dedicated Lost and Found department demonstrates a commitment to mitigating the issue.

John F. Kennedy International Airport: high rates of mishandled bags

John F. Kennedy International Airport, commonly known as JFK Airport, is located on the southwestern shore of Long Island, in Queens, New York City. Covering 5,200 acres, it is the largest airport in the New York metropolitan area and the sixth-busiest airport in the United States. Over 90 airlines operate from JFK, offering direct flights to destinations across all six inhabited continents.

Despite its impressive scale and connectivity, JFK International Airport has earned an unfortunate reputation for mishandled baggage. In a 2023 ranking, the airport was listed as the number one worst airport for lost and damaged luggage. This ranking was based on data from the U.S. Department of Transportation's "Air Travel Consumer Reports," which analysed the average number of bags mishandled per 1,000 enplaned passengers over a 10-year period from 2013 to 2022.

The high rate of mishandled bags at JFK Airport may be influenced by various factors, including the high volume of passenger traffic and flights the airport handles, as well as staffing shortages and air traffic control issues. These challenges can lead to delays in baggage handling, increasing the likelihood of bags being lost, delayed, or damaged.

To address these issues, JFK Airport has likely implemented various measures, including investing in new technology and infrastructure upgrades. Additionally, the airport may work closely with airlines and ground handling partners to improve baggage handling processes and reduce the incidence of mishandled bags. Despite these efforts, the airport continues to face challenges in reducing the number of lost and damaged bags, impacting its reputation and causing frustration for affected passengers.

Heathrow: notorious for mishandled luggage

Heathrow Airport, serving the London, UK, area, has a reputation for mishandled luggage. While it is not the worst airport for losing luggage, with Chicago O'Hare International Airport topping that list, Heathrow is notorious for losing luggage and has a higher rate of mishandled bags than some other airports.

When luggage is lost, delayed, or damaged, it is the responsibility of the airline to compensate the passenger. This is often in the form of reimbursement for essentials or repairs. However, many passengers opt to claim through their insurance, as payouts are typically higher.

Passengers whose luggage has been mishandled are advised to act quickly. They should immediately notify their airline and complete any necessary paperwork, such as a missing bag report, which can be used to track baggage. It is also helpful to have photos of the luggage, as well as knowing the brand, size, colour, and condition.

Heathrow Airport provides baggage enquiry telephones in the arrivals area, where passengers can speak to a member of the team and ask them to retrieve their bag. It is important to collect checked luggage before leaving the baggage reclaim hall, as once a passenger has left, they cannot return. If a passenger has left without their luggage, they should contact their airline directly to arrange to be reunited with their belongings.

Republic Airlines: the worst for lost bags

Losing your luggage can be a stressful and frustrating experience, and unfortunately, it's a common issue faced by many travellers. While most airline passengers' checked luggage meets them at their destination on time, there are instances when bags go missing, are delayed, damaged, or even stolen.

Republic Airlines has been consistently identified as one of the worst airlines for losing travellers' bags. Data from the US Department of Transportation's Air Travel Consumer Reports revealed that Republic Airlines lost 930 bags out of every 100,000 checked, which equates to 0.93%. This means that on each domestic flight, one or two passengers will likely arrive at their destination without their luggage.

Republic Airways, a regional carrier that operates services as American Eagle, Delta Connection, and United Express, has been singled out for its high rate of mishandled luggage. From January to June 2022, they mishandled one out of every 108 bags they took on their planes, ranking them among the worst-performing airlines that year.

The problem of lost luggage is not unique to Republic Airlines, and other airlines have also struggled with similar issues. American Airlines, for instance, lost 850 bags per 100,000, which is a lower rate than Republic Airlines due to the former's larger volume of handled bags. Additionally, JFK International Airport in New York was ranked as the worst airport for lost and damaged luggage, contributing to the overall challenge of luggage mishandling.

Swiss Air: poor record for delayed luggage

While losing luggage is a common issue faced by many airlines and airports, Swiss Air has a notable record of delayed luggage. Swiss International Air Lines, commonly known as Swiss Air, is the flag carrier of Switzerland, operating flights to numerous destinations worldwide. Despite its extensive network, the airline has faced challenges with ensuring the timely delivery of passengers' luggage.

Passengers travelling with Swiss Air who experience delayed baggage are advised to report the issue immediately, either online or at the baggage tracing office at the airport. The airline recommends reporting while still at the airport to facilitate the process. In the event that online reporting is unavailable due to technical issues, passengers can contact the local baggage tracing office, which can be located in the airport arrivals hall.

Swiss Air provides a pre-filled form in its Lufthansa Group airline app, allowing passengers to quickly report delayed baggage and receive a reference number for tracking purposes. It is important for passengers to retain their flight documents, particularly their boarding pass and baggage receipt, to support the reporting process. Once the delayed baggage is reported, Swiss Air will initiate an investigation through the global baggage system.

Swiss Air communicates with passengers via email, providing updates on the status of their delayed baggage. The airline informs passengers when their baggage is planned for a specific flight and also notifies them when it arrives at the destination airport. However, passengers should be aware that due to various factors, their baggage may be carried on a different flight than originally expected, resulting in potential delays.

In addition to reporting delayed baggage, Swiss Air offers reimbursement for essential items purchased during the delay. Passengers can submit receipts for expenses incurred due to the delay, and the airline will contribute to the costs subject to proportionality. This includes purchases made after returning home, as Swiss Air recognizes the need for replacement items even after the trip. Overall, while Swiss Air strives to address delayed luggage, passengers may experience challenges with timely baggage delivery when travelling with this airline.

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