Baggage Blues: US Airlines Struggle with Mishandled Luggage in 2026
By Editor • September 15, 2026 • 1 min read
As travelers embark on their journeys in 2026, the frustration of lost or delayed luggage looms larger than ever. New data from the Department of Transportation (DOT) reveals that US airlines mishandled over 1.1 million checked bags in just the first six months of the year. This issue is exacerbated by soaring baggage fees, which now average $45 for the first checked bag on domestic and short-haul international flights.
The statistics indicate that airlines are not improving in their baggage handling. An average mishandling rate of about 0.5 bags per 100 enplaned suggests that travelers are still grappling with the same level of baggage mishaps as seen in 2025, where the rate was slightly higher at 0.52 bags per 100.
Top Offenders in Baggage Mishandling
Among the 13 largest US airlines, American Airlines topped the list for the highest rate of mishandled luggage, averaging 0.73 bags per 100 enplaned. Following closely behind was its regional affiliate, Envoy Air, with a mishandling rate of 0.72 bags. United Airlines also made the list, reporting a rate of 0.66 bags per 100 enplaned.
Best Performers in Baggage Handling
On the brighter side, low-cost carrier Allegiant Air emerged as the leader in effective baggage handling, recording only 0.12 bags mishandled per 100 enplaned. For travelers wary of losing their luggage, many airlines now allow the use of tracking devices such as Apple Air Tags, which provide real-time data to help locate bags throughout the travel process.
Source: www.cntraveler.com
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