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Airlines ranked worst for handling luggage: American tops list

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Airlines ranked worst for handling luggage: American tops list
Policy
Webp skywest
SkyWest Airlines | Wikipedia

In the realm of commercial aviation, the handling of checked baggage has evolved significantly over the years. Initially a standard practice, the trend has shifted as travelers increasingly opt for shorter trips and seek to avoid additional costs associated with checked luggage. Despite this shift, checked baggage remains essential for many passengers who expect their belongings to arrive safely at their destination.

Recent surveys have highlighted that mishandled baggage is not solely an issue faced by low-cost carriers. American Airlines has been repeatedly identified as a major offender in this area. According to Travel Agent Central, in July 2023, American Airlines mishandled 5.34 bags per 1,000, a figure that increased to 8.1 bags per 1,000 by November 2024 as reported by The Manual.

A Forbes study analyzing data from the US Department of Transportation found that SkyWest and United Airlines followed American Airlines in terms of mishandled baggage rates. Other major airlines like Alaska Airlines, JetBlue, Frontier Airlines, and Delta Air Lines had lower figures ranging between three and four mishandled bags per 1,000 items of checked luggage.

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The sheer volume of flights operated by American Airlines contributes to its high raw total of mishandled baggage incidents. This has resulted in almost a quarter of overall mishandled baggage being attributed to the airline. Notably, nearly a quarter of passengers who lose their luggage never receive it back.

American Airlines allows passengers to check up to ten bags on certain international routes but imposes fees that increase with each additional bag. For domestic flights within the US, fees range from $35 for the first bag to $200 for each subsequent bag beyond the fourth.

A separate study covered by Forbes examined search traffic related to lost or delayed luggage and found British Airways leading in monthly searches concerning mishandled baggage. With nearly 7,000 searches per month regarding lost luggage issues linked to British Airways, it was ranked higher than KLM and easyJet.

British Airways' policies dictate that free checked baggage allowances are based on travel class rather than route specifics. Economy Basic ticket holders must pay for all checked bags while more expensive tickets offer varying degrees of free allowances depending on cabin class.

Overall, these studies reveal that both legacy and full-service airlines can struggle with mishandling baggage despite public perceptions associating such issues predominantly with budget carriers.

Organizations Included in this History
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