Tips to avoid lost luggage, and what you absolutely must have in your carry-on.

Introduction

Embarking on a journey, whether for business or pleasure, brings with it the thrill of exploration and the promise of new experiences. However, the prospect of lost or delayed luggage can cast a shadow on the excitement. In this travel blog, we delve into the statistics surrounding lost and delayed luggage and offer a comprehensive list of essential items to pack in your carry-on bag, including crucial prescription medications.

The Numbers Game: Lost and Delayed Luggage Statistics

Before you jet off into the wild blue yonder, it's essential to be aware of the statistical likelihood of encountering luggage mishaps. According to recent industry reports, airlines mishandle around 7.6 bags per thousand passengers in North America while this number jumps to over 19 per thousand passengers when viewed internationally. While this figure has improved over the years long term, there's still a chance your luggage might not make it to your destination on time. These numbers represent mishandled luggage which breaks down into three categories. Lost Luggage ( 7%), Damaged Luggage (13%) and Delayed Luggage (80%).

The majority of baggage issues occur during transfers between flights. Baggage handlers work tirelessly, but the intricate dance of thousands of bags moving through various airports increases the risk of mishaps. Depending on who your carrier is, and where you are flying from or through you may have an increased chance of a mishap.

The 10 domestic airports with the worst track record, based on bags lost per 100,000 passengers, are as follows:

1. ORD - Chicago O'Hare International Airport

2. LAS - Harry Reid International Airport (Vegas)

3. SAN - San Diego International Airport

4. AUS - Austin-Bergstrom International Airport

5. ATL - Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport

6. CLT - Charlotte Douglas International Airport

7. LAX - Los Angeles International Airport

8. IAD - Washington Dulles International Airport

9. PHL - Philadelphia International Airport

10. TPA - Tampa International Airport

Extending this internationally the worst airports are:

1. LHR - Heathrow England

2. LGW - Gatwick England

3. MAN - Manchester England

4. AMS - Schipol Amsterdam

5. MAD - Madrid Barajas Spain

6. DUB -Dublin Ireland

7. CDG -Paris Charles de Gaulle France

8. FRA -Frankfurt Germany

9. LIS - Lisbon Portugal

10. SAW - Sabiha Gökçen Türkiye

Looking at the individual domestic carriers the list breaks down like so with American airlines taking top honors as most bags lost per 1000 (Data from first half of 2023)

1. American - 8.9

2. United - 8.2

3. Spirit - 6.1

4. Alaska - 6.0

5. JetBlue - 5.8

6. Delta - 5.6

7. Southwest - 4.9

8. Frontier - 4.7

9. Hawaiian - 4.5

10. Allegiant - 1.7

Looking once again internationally the list is based on a different metric. It details total number of baggage complaints as opposed to number of lost bags.

1. Ryanair - 954

2. British Airways - 844

3. EasyJet - 565

4. Wizz Air - 552

5. Norwegian - 419

6. Turkish Airlines - 195

7. Virgin Atlantic - 182

8. Tap Portugal -160

9. Iberia -105

10. Vueling -100

Regardless of how you break it down the numbers are not great. Say you are flying on an American airlines flight from Chicago to Paris on an Airbus A300. These planes typically seat around 250 passengers. Doing some quick numbers, 1000/250 = 4 and 8.9 / 4 = 2.2 so basically playing the probabilities there are going to be two people who don't have their bags arrive at their destination on the flight and there is a 1% chance it's you!

However, it's not all doom and gloom; as noted above 80% of baggage issues are delays and most delayed bags are returned to their owners within 48 hours. That being said, being without your items for 2 days can be very difficult and in some cases dangerous if it involves medication needs. This is why packing a well-stocked carry on is a must for any travel.

Avoid that Sinking Feeling of an Empty Carousel and No Bag - Image by Hans from Pixabay

---

Essential Items for Your Carry-On Bag

To mitigate the impact of lost or delayed luggage, it's wise to pack a well-prepared carry-on bag. Here's a list of essential items to ensure you're well-equipped for any unforeseen circumstances:

Travel Documents:

• Passport, visa, and other identification

• Boarding passes and travel itineraries

Prescription Medications:

• Essential medications, clearly labeled

• A copy of your prescription for reference

Electronics and Chargers:

• Laptop, tablet, or e-reader, smart phones

• Chargers for all devices

Change of Clothes:

• Underwear, socks, and a spare outfit

• Weather-appropriate clothing for your destination

Toiletries:

• Travel-sized toothbrush and toothpaste

• Deodorant, face wipes, and any necessary skincare products

Valuables:

• Jewelry, money, and important documents

• House and car keys

Snacks and Hydration:

• Non-perishable snacks

• Empty reusable water bottle to fill post-security

Entertainment:

• Books, magazines, or the like

• Headphones

Comfort Items:

• Neck pillow and blanket

• Eye mask and earplugs

Emergency Supplies:

• Basic first aid kit

In the market for a new carry-on? Take a look at the TikTok viral backpack VGCUB at Amazon for a fantastic bag. It goes for under $40 and will carry everything you'd need for a weekend getaway so it would work perfectly as your well-stocked carry on. Even better, it is right-sized as a personal item for most airlines as it will easily fit under the seat so you may not even have to pay for a carry-on (for those that do charge for a carry-on bag).

---

Tips to avoid lost luggage

If you want to improves your odds at making sure your luggage find you you can take a few simple steps.

• Ensure you have proper baggage tags, ideally a unique one like these so someone else doesn't grab your bag by accicent

• Remove all old baggage stickers from previous flights to avoid confusion by the handlers

• When the gate agent is tagging your luggage make sure you visually confirm the correct destinatuion airport

• Take a photo of your bag's exterior as it might help an agent in locating a lost bag

• Take a photo of your bags interior as well just in case you need to make a claim for lost luggage

• When traveling, if at all possible, fly direct as opposed to transfers

• Get travel insurance that includes lost or delayed baggage coverage

• Buy Bluetooth trackers like AirTags for your luggage so you can track it when you travel

Conclusion

While the statistical likelihood of lost or delayed luggage may be a concern, strategic packing in your carry-on bag can make all the difference. By including essential items and preparing for the unexpected, you can turn a potential travel hiccup into a mere blip on the radar of your adventure. So, pack wisely, stay informed, and embrace the journey with confidence. Need somehelp getting prepared for the trip? Check out our packing lists and departure checklist to get a guideline.

Happy travels!