Latest news with #lostluggage
CBC
5 days ago
- CBC
Air Canada returned her missing suitcase, but this N.L. woman was shocked to find missing items, also items she didn't own
When Linda Royle opened up her returned carry-on suitcase, she was disgusted to find not only her personal possessions missing, but several items — like two toiletry bags, a ticket scanner and a knife — were now in her bag. The CBC's Elizabeth Whitten reports.
Daily Mail
20-07-2025
- Daily Mail
The holiday essential Brits are being warned not to pack in suitcases this summer
The beauty of checked luggage is obviously that you can wave goodbye to it - and carrying it around - while you're in the air. However, one expert has warned that with lost luggage a common occurrence, there are a few items that you should keep with you in your cabin bags. In a TikTok, savvy traveller brand @thepointsguy shared exactly which items will cause the maximum amount of inconvenience if they end up going AWOL for a while should your case get lost. Discussing the items tourists should 'never put in your checked bag, regardless of how short your flight is', he said prescription medicine was an absolute no-no. He explained: 'You may be able to get a doctor to call in your prescription, but that becomes trickier if it's a weekend or a holiday or if your medication doesn't allow for refills before the previous prescription runs out.' Elsewhere, the expert said that expensive electrical items should also stay close to you - because they're much more vulnerable to theft. While the vast majority of airport workers are honest, there is a risk that they may open a case to identify its owner - putting items such as games consoles, mobile phones or laptops and tablets at risk. Indeed it's a case of ditto for any expensive personal item of jewellery too. Keeping precious rings and necklaces tucked away in the hold may seem like a good idea but they are amongst the first things that are likely to be targeted if the bag falls into the wrong hands. Wads of holiday money should stay on your person, if possible, the travel TikToker adds. He explained that: 'Everything important goes into my carry-on. Meds, contacts, electronics in particular.' But also the items that will make you feel human again after 11 hours in the air, including toiletries, a change of clothes and the things you'll need to hand easily when you reach your accommodation - such as sunscreen and plug adapters. Last month, it was revealed that holidaymakers may soon avoid the frustration of paying extra fees for carry-on luggage at the boarding gate - thanks to proposed changes in EU airline rules. The EU Parliament transport committee has approved new regulations that would grant all passengers the right to carry a handbag or small suitcase weighing up to 7kg at no extra cost. Under the amendment, passengers would be allowed one cabin bag with dimensions measuring up to 100cm, in addition to a smaller personal item that fits under the seat. This proposal could significantly impact budget airlines such as Ryanair, easyJet, and Wizz Air, which currently charge extra for larger cabin baggage. If implemented, the rule would apply not only to domestic EU flights but also to international flights connecting the EU with non-member countries, including the UK. For the proposal to become law, it still requires approval from at least 55 per cent of EU member states, representing 65 cent of the total EU population. However, this process could take time and prompt pushback from national governments and airline lobbies. Spain has already expressed its approval for the proposed changes - but not everyone is on board. Airlines for Europe, representing major carriers, warn that the new rules could disrupt operations and ultimately lead to increased ticket prices for passengers - even for those not carrying extra luggage. Managing director Ourania Georgoutsakou told Politico that the European Parliament should 'let travellers decide what services they want, what services they pay for and, importantly, what services they don't.' Ahead of Tuesday's vote, the group contacted EU transport committee members, stressing practical and logistical challenges airlines would face. They pointed out that although many aircraft carry up to 180 passengers, the overhead compartments can only accommodate about 90 trolley-sized bags. The industry body argues that requiring free carry-on luggage could cause boarding delays and overcrowding, and that travellers should retain the flexibility to select and pay for only the services they require.
Yahoo
06-07-2025
- Yahoo
Which Airlines Are Losing Your Luggage The Most?
For travelers, few things feel worse than waiting at baggage claim and realizing your suitcase didn't make the trip. New data reveals just how common the lost-luggage nightmare truly is, as well as which airlines are the worst offenders. Between 2021 and 2024, airlines across the United States 'mishandled' more than 7.7 million bags of luggage, according to a study from Boutique Hotel Hub. Using data from the Department of Transportation, researchers ranked airlines based on the frequency of mishandled luggage, wheelchairs, and mobility scooters over a three-year period. American Airlines tops the list, with 8.7 reports of mishandled luggage for every 1,000 items boarded, the highest rate in the country. That translates to over 1.7 million lost or damaged bags out of around 200 million items handled. Envoy Air, a regional extension of American Airlines, came in second at 8.2 mishandled items per 1,000. Republic Airways, which operates in conjunction with several major American airlines, rounded out the top three at 7 per 1,000. Other major airlines on the list include Alaska Airlines (6.6), United Airlines (6.4), and Delta Air Lines (5.1). Even budget travelers aren't safe. Spirit Airlines and Frontier Airlines also made the top 15, each mishandling hundreds of thousands of bags during that same study period. What Can You Do to Protect Your Bags? While the numbers might sound discouraging, there are a few steps you can take to help keep your luggage safe: Pick a bag that stands out. A bright or unique suitcase is less likely to be mistaken for someone else's. Use a luggage tag. Always include your contact information in case your bag gets separated from you. Consider a tracker. GPS luggage trackers can help you locate your suitcase if it goes missing. Report issues immediately. If your bag is lost or damaged, report it before leaving the baggage claim area. Most airlines have a dedicated desk for baggage problems. Ronan McLoughlin, a spokesperson for Boutique Hotel Hub, put it, saying: 'When traveling, the last thing you expect is for your bag to be lost or otherwise mishandled by your airline. It can add a lot of unnecessary stress to an expensive vacation, and while accidents do happen, passengers have a right to be upset when this happens.' 'If you find that your luggage has been lost, damaged, or mishandled in any way during your flight, report the problem immediately at the airport before you leave the baggage claim area,' McLoughlin added. And if all else fails? Maybe consider packing an extra set of clothes in your carry-on, just in case.
The Independent
04-07-2025
- The Independent
Lost luggage? What to do if your airline lets you down
Worldwide, checked-in cabin baggage goes missing at an alarming rate: faster than one piece of luggage every second, according to the aviation data specialist Sita. Of every 1,000 bags checked in, seven fail to travel with their owner – averaging out as one passenger on every short-haul holiday flight to the Mediterranean. In 2023, the last year for which figures are available, 36.1 million bags went astray across the world. So what should you do if your bag is one of those tens of millions? How can you reduce the risk of your luggage wandering? And surely there must be a better way? These are the key questions and answers. My bag hasn't turned up. What do I do now? Because it is such a regular occurrence, the procedure is wearily familiar. Each airline has a representative in the baggage hall staffed by ground handlers. If your case doesn't appear, then you can talk to them and begin the official procedure. This involves filling in a form known as a Property Irregularity Report (PIR), giving your personal details and a description of the lost case. If there's no one there, the airline will have a lost-baggage portal online where you can fill out a report. You must do that as soon as possible, and certainly within a week. You will get a reference code – something like JFKBA12345. In this example, JFK is the airport (New York JFK) and BA the airline (British Airways). Will I ever see my case again? Almost certainly, according to easyJet: 'More than 90 per cent our delayed bags are found by our airport teams within the first five days.' Assuming you're in that position, the airline is responsible for getting the bag back to you – whether at your holiday accommodation outbound, or to your home on the inbound trip. The bag should be delivered at no cost to you, and you should not need to travel to the airport. British Airways says: 'As soon as we find your bag, we will return it to you at any address you choose at no charge, subject to local customs requirements.' You may need to complete a local customs declaration form before the bag is returned. In the unusual situation that you have items to declare, you will need to return to the airport to attend customs clearance. I'm away and need some clothes and toiletries. What can I do? If you're on holiday or a business trip, you can buy a modest amount of toiletries and basic clothing and claim it back from the airline. All carriers will demand itemised receipts – which they will scrutinise to ensure you are not, for example, buying designer clobber when there's a Primark-equivalent nearby. Some airlines apply a cap on how much they will pay out – though if circumstances dictate you need to spend more (eg buying a new suit because you have a job interview) you can argue your corner. Lufthansa has an unusual policy of only reimbursing half the cost of clothing on the grounds that you can continue to use the garments when you get home. What happens if the baggage doesn't show up? After three weeks, a piece of luggage is deemed to be permanently astray. Compensation is limited under the Montreal Convention. The current maximum is 1,519 Special Drawing Rights – a weird, virtual currency that equates to £1,533 in sterling That is the highest figure, which will be paid only if you have proof – in the form of receipts – that the contents were worth at least that amount. Otherwise, the payout will be reduced commensurately. If there are specific items in your baggage that are worth more than that, get a travel insurance policy that will cover them. Are economy airlines more likely to lose luggage? No, rather less likely: they operate point-to-point flights with much less chance of mishandling baggage. Often budget carriers such as Ryanair and Wizz Air use smaller airports where there is less scope for baggage going off on its own little holiday. In addition, because of the high cost of reuniting passengers with their bags, low-cost carriers do all they can to keep luggage and passenger together. What if another passenger mistakenly took my suitcase off the carousel? That would mean you haven't (for example) tied a yellow ribbon around the handle, or applied a very noticeable sticker to your case to make it distinctive. In the event that all the other passengers have disappeared and there's just you, the carousel and a single piece of luggage that looks remarkably like yours, the airport staff may contact the person who appears to have grabbed the wrong bag. But there's little you can do about criminals who set out to steal luggage. How can I reduce the risk of losing my luggage? Don't check anything in. Some airlines have an extremely generous allowance – for example British Airways allows you to take two pieces weighing a mighty 23kg each. Ryanair has just revealed it is increasing the volume of its free 'small personal item' by 20 per cent. If you are in charge of your own bags, you can ensure they stay with you. Impossible? Well, if you are checking something in, assume that you will never see the case or its contents again. That should help minimise the harm of lost luggage. You will pack in a way that means you won't lose something irreplaceable: keep all essentials in your carry-on baggage. When booking flights, be aware that many of the bags that go missing are lost at connecting hubs: London Heathrow, Paris CDG, Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Istanbul, Dubai and Doha. So you might want to pay a premium for a direct flight rather than one where you are changing planes. To maximise the chance that you will be reacquainted with your case if it does go astray, assume all external tags will be torn off. Inside the bag, tape a big piece of paper with your name, physical and email address and phone number in indelible ink. How useful are trackers placed inside luggage? Some travellers swear by them because you can tell where your baggage is – usually left behind at the departure airport or in transit at a major hub. But even if you know where it is, that may not help. We've seen baggage mountains at London Heathrow and Edinburgh airports in which some tags were showing up, but which individual passengers were not allowed to access. Any hope that the system can smarten up? Yes. Paul Griffiths, chief executive of the world's biggest international aviation hub, Dubai, says the whole baggage tracking system should be revolutionised. Speaking at the Newsweek New Destinations 2025 conference, the airport boss said: 'Why, in the 21st century, are we sticking paper labels onto suitcases? I see no reason why a suitcase should not pre-printed with a unique QR code and Vin [vehicle identification number] like a car.' Airline and airport systems would then route the bag onto your plane and to your final destination without the need to print anything out – avoiding the possibility that the label could be torn off.
The Sun
03-07-2025
- The Sun
The two-word phrase you should always use when your luggage goes missing as over 62,000 items get lost a year in UK
HOLIDAYMAKERS who lose their luggage have been encouraged to utter a two-word phrase if they belongings ever go AWOL. Shocking data recently revealed that 62,000 items were lost between August 2023 and August 2024 across UK airports. 1 But hope is not lost for travellers whose belongings suddenly vanish, as there are ways to mitigate disaster. "Losing luggage is always stressful, but not knowing what to do makes the situation even worse," says Chris Harrington, Hoppa's managing director. "Ultimately, the faster and more informed your response, the better chances of recovering your bag or receiving updates on its status. "The process isn't as complicated as one might think, but there are important steps you need to follow." Travellers who lose their luggage are advised to report their belongings missing first before locating your airline's service desk. Then, give as much detail as possible, providing brand, colour, size, type of shell, plus any unique identifiers, such as tags or stickers. Crucially, affected travellers should demand a 'property irregularity report' (PIR) reference number. Chris continued: "Remember, the quicker you act, the better your chances of finding out what's happened to your luggage." "A PIR number is a unique code that is used by airlines to trace your missing luggage and will be needed when you follow up on your luggage's status or if you need to make an insurance claim." "Even if the airline does not hand out allowances, make sure to keep all your receipts. With proper evidence, you may be able to claim these costs back at a later date." TRAVEL WARNING CAA warns UK travellers of cabin luggage rule that could be 'catastrophic' Many travel insurers offer coverage for luggage that has been delayed for more than 12 to 24 hours, so get in touch with your provider as soon as possible. If you're unfortunate enough to still have luggage missing after 3 weeks, be sure to follow up. Airlines have specific deadlines for submitting lost luggage claims, varying anywhere between 7 to 21 days. It comes after another survey found that holidaymakers are more worried about losing luggage and missing flights than being pickpocketed and misplacing their passport. A poll of 2,000 travellers found health emergencies are the top worry when in a different country, with theft also being a big concern. HOLIDAYMAKERS are more worried about losing luggage and missing flights than being pickpocketed and misplacing their passport. A poll of 2,000 travellers found health emergencies are the top worry when in a different country, with theft also being a big concern.
