Luggage Loss Trends in 2025: Which Airlines Are Performing the Best

Any checked luggage that has been delayed, damaged, or misplaced can turn your trip into an area of stressful situations. Luckily, the rate of baggage mishandling continues to decline because of smarter technologies, finer monitoring and even more stringent care taken by the airlines. So, without further ado, here is a peek into the present reality of luggage loss in 2025 and airlines that lead the passengers.

A Global Decline in Mishandled Bags

According to the new SITA baggage IT insights, the rate of mishandled baggage has declined remarkably. In 2024, the world average mishandled bags per 1,000 passengers had reduced to 6.3 as compared to 6.9 the preceding year and 67 per cent as compared to 2007, at a time when global passenger traffic had increased by 8.2 per cent. Of this mishandled, about 2/3 (22 million) found their way back into their owners within 48 hours through the SITA WorldTracer system.

Regional Leaders: Who’s Doing It Right?

Asia‑Pacific: Global Benchmark

It was led by the Asia-Pacific region, where the rate of its mishandling was the lowest in the world: approximately 3.1 mishandled per 1,000 passengers in 2024. This can be explained by the fact that automation, RFID tracking and integrations with IATA Resolution 753 have become common.

Middle East & Africa: Consistent Performance

Even though heavily trafficked, the Middle East & Africa region continued to have the results amongst the best worldwide, with only 6.02 mishandled bags per 1,000 passengers on average, with a rather slight but significant increase compared to the previous year's level of 4.5.

Top-Performing Airlines in 2025

Delta Air Lines (USA)

It is always placed as the most dependable carrier in 2025 with its competitors, low rates of baggage mishandling, level of punctual flights, and cancellation rates. According to WalletHub, Delta has remained the top performer in some of the metrics of reliability compared to other big players.

JetBlue Airways

JetBlue has taken a dramatic step by way of cutting its mishandled bag rate to 3.9 per 1,000 2 bags in summer 2024 as compared to the prior 2023.

Hawaiian Airlines

One of the stars in the South Pacific, Hawaiian Airlines, even further cut its mishandled baggage ratio to 3.2 to 1,000 passengers.

Frontier Airlines

Ultra-low price airline Frontier likewise fared better, trying to mishandle 4.9 per 1,000 bags reserved in 2020 (a huge drop contrasted and compared to the past year).

Other Airlines Notably Behind

American Airlines (USA)

While the carrier recorded a 29% year-over-year improvement in Q1 2025, it still ranked worst among U.S. majors, at about 0.83 mishandled bags per 100 passengers (~8.3 per 1,000). In comparison, Delta performed at approximately 0.50 bags per 100 passengers.

United Airlines

United fares slightly better, though its mishandling rate of about 0.79 per 100 passengers still trails behind Delta and JetBlue.

Why Baggage Mishandling Is Still an Issue

According to SITA:

• 74% of mishandled baggage stems from delays (down from 80% in 2023)
  

• 41% occur due to transfer mishandling
  

• Other causes include ticketing errors, loading failures, customs delays, and weather-related issues
  

Automated solutions like Apple AirTag integration and SITA’s WorldTracer Auto Reflight minimise human error and speed up reunions with missing luggage.

Technology That’s Shaping Safer Luggage

Several innovations are revolutionising baggage handling:

• Apple AirTag integration with airlines and tracking systems like SITA WorldTracer enables real-time location sharing. Airlines such as British Airways, Lufthansa, Qantas, Virgin Atlantic, and Air Canada now support it.
  

• Auto Reflight technology automatically reroutes unclaimed bags to the correct destination without human input.
  

• Advanced baggage messaging standards like IATA’s MBM Version 2 are set to reduce mishandling by another 5% in 2025, building on Resolution 753 tracking requirements.
  

• More airports and airlines now offer automated bag-drop kiosks, biometric bag drops, and RFID scanning—66% of carriers already use auto-drop, and adoption continues expanding.
  

Why Some Airlines Outperform Others

Robust Infrastructure and Tech Systems

Regions like Asia‑Pacific and the Middle East have invested heavily in automation and smart baggage management, resulting in significantly lower mishandling rates.

Data and Operational Alignment

Carrier-led real-time tracking across all four stages of handling ensures greater transparency and fewer lost bags on the move.

Smaller Fleet, Better Control

Smaller or newer fleet airlines like JetBlue, Alaska, and Frontier often outperform legacy carriers precisely because they can integrate modern systems more efficiently.

Tips for Passengers to Reduce the Risk of Lost Baggage

• Use tracking tags like Apple AirTags—many airlines now support them via their own tracking platforms.
  

• Avoid loose luggage tags—ensure tags are durable and clearly attached. Keep a copy of your itinerary and ID inside the bag.
  

• Check airline baggage tracking policies—some enable passengers to share real-time data with staff to speed resolution.
  

• Upload essential travel photos and receipts—for faster claims if mishandling occurs.
  

• Travel smart with a carry-on if your destination is on a route with reported baggage delays.
  

Final Thoughts: Best and Not-So-Great Carriers in 2025

Top performers in baggage handling (as of 2025):

Companies such as JetBlue, Hawaiian Airlines, Delta Airways, and even the Asia-Pacific area (especially airlines that fly around the region) are continuously providing the lowest mishandling percentages and quick baggage receptions.

Bottom pperformers: Even legacy carriers like the American Airlines and United are yet to master the process of baggage handling; at least, they are currently getting better at it, so the chances of seeing travellers get delayed or get something wrong are higher.

The use of smart baggage, such as the involvement of Apple AirTags, automated bag drops, and tracking standards, such as IATA 753 and MBM, is assisting the leading airlines in remaining ahead. On their part, passengers can avoid a lot of inconvenience and worry by flying with a carrier that has demonstrated it is reliable with regard to baggage.

As it was mentioned, in 2025, luggage handling is no longer the topic of logistics, but rather something to keep track of as a performance measure. When you make arrangements for business trips, family trips or visits, or when you want to travel alone, it could help greatly to know which airlines are that you can always depend on to get your baggage.