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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.
