Advanced Technology and Helpful Tips for Dealing with Lost Luggage

Summer airport congestion frequently results in numerous checked suitcases, backpacks, and duffels never making it to the baggage claim. The travel industry analyst at Upgraded Points, Jamie Larounis, explains that demanding flight schedules and understaffing causes pressure on the luggage management systems. Some airports are so large that bags may not make it from one departing flight to the next, even if a flight delay is minimal.

Fortunately, airports and airlines are working on new technological advances to improve these systems to help bags move through the conveyor belt maze faster and more efficiently. SITA, the air travel technology company, has a system called WorldTracer, which is currently in use at 2,200 airports globally and is working on collaborating with Lufthansa to test new initiatives that automatically reroute missed flight luggage to the next available flight and inform passengers of the new planned arrival time. Implementing such notification systems would save travelers the hassle of speaking to someone in the arrivals hall.

Siemens has developed a system that can read crumpled or partially obscured paper tags, which is already being utilized in various airports throughout the United States and worldwide.

BAGTAG, a Dutch company that produces electronic luggage tags, is working with carriers such as Alaska Airlines, KLM, Lufthansa, and Swiss to replace paper tags with e-tags. The use of durable plastic materials makes e-tags less prone to damage than traditional tags, which may be torn off or mangled, potentially reducing mishandled luggage. While Alaska Airlines is currently introducing electronic tags to a subgroup of 2,500 fliers, they are planning to release them for sale to all passengers this fall.

Fortunately, the vast majority of checked luggage is reunited with its owners, as reported by the U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics, out of the 470 million bags checked on U.S. airlines in 2022, only six out of every 1,000 were mishandled (lost, delayed, stolen, or damaged). SITA notes that only one in 2,250 bags isn’t reunited with its owner.

So what can you do to increase your chances of leaving the baggage claim with your luggage this summer? First, arrive early so that checked bags have enough time to make it to your departing flight. Whenever possible, book nonstop flights because each transfer presents a higher likelihood of mishandled bags. If you must transfer planes, avoid making tight connections. Ensure that any previous bag tags and stickers are removed, and choose bags that are easy to identify to avoid confusing them with someone else’s. You can also use your airline’s mobile application to track your luggage. Additionally, place an Apple AirTag in your bag, along with a card containing your contact information, to aid in the search for it if it becomes lost.

However, if your luggage does not arrive, fill out a claim form before leaving the airport. Refer to the Department of Transportation website for compensation regulations when luggage is delayed or missing. Each airline has its own protocols and policies.