The chances of losing luggage during air travel are for all passengers, and it doesn’t matter if you are traveling with an expensive famous airline or a little-known low-cost airline. After all, luggage is most often lost at the airport when it is transported on board or off board by airport staff and equipment, and therefore the more often you fly and the more connections you make, the higher the chances are.
Baggage at the airport
Statistically, no more than 1% of all luggage carried by airlines is lost. But you have an especially big chance to lose your luggage if you change planes; if you drop it at the last moment before check-in is closed; if your suitcases are oversized or too heavy; if they are poorly packed (straps stick out of the backpack for example); and if you carry anything suspicious (which will attract the security service) or something expensive (which will attract dishonest airport employees). But the following simple tips will help you lower the chances of losing it and speed up the search for it if it happens:
- Don’t drop off your luggage at the check-in counter at the last minute.
- Pack it well (use food or special packing film, or a paid packing service at the airport), especially bags and backpacks with straps.
- Do not put valuables or suspicious items in your luggage, and carry them by hand.
- Attach a tag with your name, phone number, flight number, and airline number to your luggage before you check it in.
- Take a picture of it before you drop it off, so that if the airport services search for it, they can identify it more easily.
- Take out travel insurance with an included option against loss of luggage. This option is available at almost all insurance companies, and is also offered by the airlines themselves.
What to do if your luggage is lost
If despite all precautions you can not find your luggage on the baggage claim belt at the airport of arrival, you should ask for its search. In large airports there are special desks in the baggage claim area or staff who will give you a form to fill out and accept it. If you cannot find it after a certain period of time, you will be paid compensation, which is calculated on the basis of the weight of the loss. This amount depends on the country, airport, and airline.
Have a safe flight, and don’t lose your luggage!