US Department of Transport data list airlines with highest rates of lost luggage

When you check in your suitcase or luggage for a flight, you trust it will arrive at your destination. However, for many American and international travellers, that’s not always the case. Every year, thousands of suitcases and luggage items go missing, and some US airlines are far greater offenders than others.

Did you know the US Department of Transportation (DOT) tracks luggage handling complaints and calculates a lost luggage rate for each major airline company?

The results reveal stark differences between carriers. While some low-cost and regional US airlines lose bags at alarmingly high rates, other American major carriers have better records. But what are some of the US airlines that are most likely to lose your luggage the next time you fly? Let’s explore the statistics:

Allegiant Air

Allegiant Air Lost luggage per 1,000: 0.15
Best performance is in summer and holiday travel periods – Very few connections reduces mishandled baggage risk – High customer satisfaction for reliability and punctuality

Hawaiian Airlines

Hawaiian Airlines Lost luggage per 1,000: 0.20
Consistently low due to point-to-point island routes – Summer season sees mild increase but still minimal – Customers rate luggage handling highly on inter-island flights

Spirit Airlines

Spirit Airlines Lost luggage per 1,000: 0.33
Despite budget status, efficient short-haul routes limit losses – Peak travel months still see low luggage mishandling – Satisfaction mixed on service, but luggage rates are a bright spot

Frontier Airlines

Frontier Airlines Lost luggage per 1,000: 0.45
High use of personal item-only fares reduces overall checked luggage – Slight uptick in mishandling during winter holidays – Ranked lower in comfort, but luggage efficiency is strong

JetBlue Airways

JetBlue Airways Lost luggage per 1,000: 0.54
Luggage mishandling peaks during holiday season, especially December – Offers luggage tracking app with real-time updates – Rated high for tech features and ease of claim process

Alaska Airlines

Alaska Airlines Lost luggage per 1,000: 0.68
Mishandling increases slightly during winter storm season – One of the best for luggage claim satisfaction – Proactive text alerts help ease frustration

Southwest Airlines

Southwest Airlines Lost luggage per 1,000: 0.81
Two free checked bags policy increases volume handled – Most reports during spring break and Thanksgiving – Positive marks for claim resolution speed

Sun Country Airlines

Sun Country Airlines Lost luggage per 1,000: 0.90
Peak issues in Midwest winter months – Smaller fleet means slower rerouting of mishandled items  – Mid-level customer satisfaction on lost item recovery

Delta Air Lines

Delta Air Lines Lost luggage per 1,000: 0.95
Strong luggage handling reputation on direct routes – More frequent issues in large hub airports like ATL – Digital tracking and luggage app receive high marks

SkyWest Airlines

SkyWest Airlines Lost luggage per 1,000: 1.01
Regional connections often lead to bag transfers and delays – Luggage trouble highest during snow-heavy months – Satisfaction moderate, with praise for effort in winter

Endeavor Air

Endeavor Air Lost luggage per 1,000: 1.14
High rate due to volume of Delta connection flights – Peak losses from December through February – Fast-growing airline still refining its logistics

Republic Airways

Republic Airways Lost luggage per 1,000: 1.21
Operates for major carriers, so luggage loss varies by partner – Trouble peaks during severe weather disruptions – Mixed reviews for luggage support lines

Envoy Air

Envoy Air Lost luggage per 1,000: 1.35
Heaviest losses occur in late summer and holiday season – Many operations at busy Texas airports like DFW – Luggage issues often tied to American Airlines network

United Airlines

United Airlines Lost luggage per 1,000: 1.43
Large network increases transfer risks – Winter storm season sees most baggage delays – Digital bag tracking is improving customer outlook

American Airlines

American Airlines Lost luggage per 1,000: 1.58
Among the largest global luggage handlers; volume contributes to losses – High complaint volume in July and December – Offers luggage claim app but mixed success rate

Mesa Airlines

Mesa Airlines Lost luggage per 1,000: 1.66
Operates regional flights for United and American – High mishandling due to fast turnarounds and small aircraft – Poor scores on luggage claims and delay communication

PSA Airlines

PSA Airlines Lost luggage per 1,000: 1.74
Another American Eagle carrier with high loss stats – Worst time of year is mid-winter travel surge – Small overhead compartments lead to forced gate-checks

Piedmont Airlines

Piedmont Airlines Lost luggage per 1,000: 1.88
Operates under the American Airlines banner, often in storm-prone areas – Holiday travel compounds delays and misrouting – Customer complaints include slow recovery times

CommutAir

CommutAir Lost luggage per 1,000: 1.95
Regional partner for United Airlines – Most issues occur during tight connection windows – Low customer satisfaction for lost item handling

Breeze Airways

Breeze Airways Lost luggage per 1,000: 2.01
Newer airline still expanding luggage infrastructure – Reports highest loss rates during inaugural route launches – Customer service praised, but logistics still catching up

Avelo Airlines

Avelo Airlines Lost luggage per 1,000: 2.12
Smaller carrier with higher mishandling per volume – Peak problems in March and August travel periods – Support centre for lost luggage under development

Silver Airways

Silver Airways Lost luggage per 1,000: 2.30
Operates in Florida and Caribbean, where weather disrupts flights – Limited tracking capabilities frustrate travellers – Customer ratings lowest for luggage reliability

Cape Air

Cape Air Lost luggage per 1,000: 2.47
Small planes mean bags often fly separately or are delayed – Worst months: November through January – High number of complaints per passenger volume

Southern Airways Express

Southern Airways Express Lost luggage per 1,000: 2.69
Island and rural service often causes multi-leg baggage routes – Reports of inconsistent luggage support policies – Rarely provides real-time tracking or updates

Boutique Air

Boutique Air Lost luggage per 1,000: 2.91
Highest loss rate among US DOT listed carriers – Many flights use partner hubs, adding confusion – Passenger reviews note unreturned luggage and poor communication

DOT compensation for passengers

While the vast majority of airline passengers checked bags arrive at their destination on time and in the condition received, a passengers bag may occasionally become damaged, delayed, or lost in transit. Under DOT regulations (for domestic travel) and international treaties (for international travel), airlines are required to compensate passengers if their bags are damaged, delayed, or lost.

DOT limits on luggage liability

For domestic flights, DOT regulation allows airlines to limit their liability for a lost, damaged, or delayed bag. Airlines are free to pay more than the limit, but are not required to do so. The maximum liability amount allowed by the regulation is $4,700 per passenger.

For most international flights, a treaty called the Montreal Convention applies to the carriage of luggage. The maximum luggage liability for flights covered by the Montreal Convention is currently 1,288 Special Drawing Rights (approximately $1,700.00 US) per passenger. This is the most that airlines must pay a passenger for a lost, damaged, or delayed bag. Airlines are free to pay more than the limit, but are not required to do so.

The Montreal Convention’s international luggage liability limit is reviewed for inflationary adjustment every five years by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). In the few situations when the Montreal Convention does not apply to travel to and from the United States, an older treaty called the “Warsaw Convention” may apply.

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