Best & Worst Airlines for Lost Luggage
Mason Vranish / Alamy
Worst Airlines for Luggage Handling: #9
Alaska Airlines
Number of complaints per 1,000 passengers: 4.40
One of the only domestic carriers to receive more baggage complaints this year than last, Alaska also fell quite a bit from its standing in 2008 (when it was ranked seventh-best).
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Comments (29)
Open / CloseAmerican Airlines baggage policies...
American Airlines does the equivalent of discriminating against pregnant women. I was traveling when I was 5 months pregnant, and as per doctor's orders, was not able to lift my carry-on above my head to the overhead bins. When asking for help with this at the DFW airport, the person at the counter said that neither he nor any of the flight crew would help me. He didn't want to strain his back and neither would they. He "suggested" that I reconsider flying if I cannot handle my own carry-on. ... Read More
It's not just AA and not just pregnant women. I flew United recently and there was a woman carrying a newborn. Two flight attendants barely looked at her. I got up and stowed her carry-on bag for her. Another woman couldn't find a spot for her bag, the male flight attendant found a spot but made no attempt to assist her. Thankfully I get to fly Air New Zealand once in a while which helps me regain my flyer sanity. Most US airlines do my head in.
Northwest Drop in Rank
Well, DUH! Of course they dropped! The past year they have been run by #6 WORST airline Delta! Its really sad to see a really good airline being swallowed up by one worse. Too bad they don't learn and take the best from the good airline to use to improve themselves. Instead they are HUGE and will go downhill. My personal prediction.
Hawaiian and Continental really are the best
As a frequent traveler I am amazed that United and Southwest broke into the top 10 with fewest lost luggage complaints. I refuse to fly United anymore, not only do they lose luggage they are rude about it. At least Southwest acts concerned. In 30 years as a business traveler I must say Hawaiian and Continental have never lost any of my luggage...just lucky I guess. I live in Hawaii and these are my preferred airlines because they respect you for the paying passenger that you are. Northwest ... Read More
United good?
Three of us flew to London last year for a cruise from Minneapoliss through Chicago. We had six pieces of luggage (and yes, we needed everything in them). We ended up in London with one suitcase and had to wait four days for the rest to catch up. The cruiseline(NCL) was fabulous. United was not, as someone else pointed out. I don't believe I even got anything from them apologizing. Certainly no compensation for those items we had to buy to carry us over. But then I've heard that the Unit... Read More
These numbers don't mean anything
With the changes in baggage policiey in the industry, theses baggage complaint numbers have little meaning. A carrier that charges for baggage is by definition going to get fewer complaints than one that doesn't simply because thre is a much larger percentage of passengers that, by definition, simply won't experience any baggage handlng experience. For this survey to be valid, the complaints should be measured against the total number of pieces of checked baggage.
Southwest the worst
With frequent short flights on Southwest, looks like they could track checked baggage, but no, three times in the last year they've "misplaced" it. Once from Dallas to St. Louis, once from Dallas to Houston (!), once from Dallas to Albuquerque. convenient flights, inconvenient lost baggage.
American Airlines
The worst for me was not when they lost my luggage, but when they lost my WIFE!
First, they would not allow her to board a plane, claiming that she did not have the valid visa, depsite the fact that she did not need one in transit, according to the government (in Venezuela). Then they would not allow to transfer to the next plane, again citing invalid visa, despite not needing one in transit (this time in Miami). Then they made her wait for days in the airport in Venezuela (she coul... Read More
American Airlines was so incredibly rude to me over THEIR mistake, that I will pay more and fly longer on other airlines to make sure I never pay one dime to that airline. And I not only travel extensively but book large groups for missions trips. And yes, they have lost my luggage twice.
Wait, so your wife didn't have the proper visa to exit the airport in Venezuela? I'm not sure that applies as being American's fault as it is up to the passenger to have the proper paperwork in hand upon arrival. In fact, if she didn't have the proper paperwork in hand, I would assume that is why she had so much trouble in transit. It is up to the air carrier to validate that all documents, including visas, are in hand and valid prior to allowing a passenger to travel. Personally, without k... More
SOUTHWORST
They used to be great with my bags, but they've lost mine 2 times already this year... out of 4.... HORRIBLE... Crap service... I stick with US Airways now...
Routine bag checking is stupid
I take a Samsonite soft carry-on with a week's worth of clothes (which I launder for multi-week travel), an extra pair of shoes and personals and am still less of a nuisance than the charming folks who carry roller contraptions plus another bag on-board. Most people are clueless about packing right (it's an art); most are like third-worlders, carrying all their worldly goods with them.
You usually don't have to check your bag, so don't. I travel the world and haven't had a lost bag in... Read More
Here Here!
Quantity of baggage always sets frequent fliers apart from the clueless. The more you travel the less you pack. I too have been completely around the world twice, go to Europe 5-6 times per year, go trans-con in the US etc. and never ever have more than a little briefcase size bag with a couple of changes of clothes, laptop and toiletries. One develops skills in folding and laundry to make it work for meetings and touring.
Men, women, families with kids who travel a lot ... More
United
Have only flown twice with United (In the past year) and both times, they have lost/misplaced my luggage. First time - was on my way to Hawaii in Feb. It was 4 days after we had arrived at our destination that we finally received our items. All I got was a sorry but thanks for flying! At the very least what they could have done was simply refunded us our stowed baggage fees - we have a family of 5 and paid close to $300. Second trip I took with them after I swore never to again - was on m... Read More
My issue with United for years has been the rude and obnoxious employees when you do encounter a problem. An apology or an offer to assist usually goes a long way, but you shouldn't hold your breath waiting for either from United employees.
And yes, I do sometimes fly United if I absolutely have to, but only if I absolutely have to.
I just had to reply to JCLIFF's comment.
I fly internationally regularly. Prior to this past summer, the last four times I flew, I flew United. Three times on a US to Europe itinerary and once on a coast-to-coast flight. The international flights had two to three flights on the outbound and return portions.
EVERY SINGLE TIME I flew United:
a) the planes were OLD and DECREPIT. Worn carpeting, seats with broken armrests, ancient in-flight entertainment systems which STILL showe... More
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