Baggage

Mishandled bag rate drops, thanks to technology

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Most travelers likely say a prayer to their version of the God of Lost Baggage when sending a checked bag off on the airport conveyor belt.

Not all their prayers are answered.

However, the odds of having a checked bag arrive at your destination airport when you do are improving slightly.

Global air passenger numbers soared in 2024 to a record-breaking 5.3 billion, the highest in aviation history, with airlines mishandling 33.4 million bags.

But according to a new report from aviation technology company, SITA, in 2024 the rate of mishandled baggage declined.

SITA reports that the mishandled bag rate dropped to 6.3 bags per 1,000 passengers in 2024, down from 6.9 in 2023.

Of the 33.4 million mishandled bags, issues with over 66% (22 million) were “resolved” (we hope that means reunited with their owners) within 48 hours, SITA reported.

And out of those 22 million bags, 25% were resolved within 12 hours, 38% within 24 hours, and another 38% within 48 hours.

Mishandled bags are big headache for passengers, of course. But they’re also costly for airlines.

Baggage mishandling cost the industry an estimated $5 billion in 2024, according to SITA.

So both airlines and air travelers are increasingly turning to technology to address mishanded baggage problems.

Airports and airlines are now handling greater baggage volumes with more precision, said SITA, embracing real-time tracking, AI-powered analytics, and self-service solutions.

In 2024, 42% of passengers had access to real-time baggage updates, up from 38% the year before.

And in 2024, passengers could begin sharing the location of their AppleTags with many airlines to help with baggage recovery.

Courtesy Port of Seattle

Trouble spots for delayed and mishandled bags

Delayed bags remain the most common issue, accounting for 74% of mishandled baggage, down from 80% in the previous year, according to SITA.

Lost or stolen bags made up 8%, while damaged or pilfered bags increased to 18%, up from 15% in 2023.

When it comes to trouble spots in the baggage process, SITA’s report found that transfer mishandling was the biggest contributor at 41%, although fhat is improvement from 46% the previous year.

Tagging or ticketing errors, security issues, and similar factors rose slightly to 17% (up 3 percentage points), while loading failures remained steady at 16%. While operational issues such as customs delays, weather, or capacity constraints also increased – to 10%, up from 8%.

The stats come from the SITA Baggage IT Insights 2025, which take into account the views and data of 280 airlines and IATA passenger traffic.

Airline checked baggage fees

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End of an era: Southwest Airlines no longer checks bags for free

Passengers checking bags on Southwest Airlines must now do what passengers on other airlines do:

pay for their checked bags.

The carrier’s longstanding and much-loved “two bags fly free” policy ended May 28, 2025.

Now Southwest Airlines passengers who don’t have a Southwest credit card, elite status or a certain class of ticket must pay $35 for the first check bag and $45 for the second.

Checked baggage fees on domestic US airlines

For many travelers, Southwest’s “two bags fly free” policy was the clincher when choosing which airline to fly.

But now those travelers may be looking around for other carriers and trying to figure out the checked bag fees.

So let’s take a look at what current checked bag fees are on most domestic U.S. airlines. Weight and size restrictions apply and are often not the same from airline to airline, so be sure to check.

In many cases, a credit card, cabin class or airline status will allow you to avoid these checked bag fees. And there may be discounts for prepaying your bag fees.

Here are some of the basic baggage fees as of May 28, 2025.

Alaska Airlines: $35 for 1st bag; $45 for the second bag.

American Airlines: $40 for the 1st bag ($35 if you pay online); $45 for the second bag.

Delta Air Lines: $35 for the 1st bag; and $45 for the second bag.

Frontier Airlines: Pricing for carry-on and checked bags varies by where (i.e. online or at the airport) and when you pay for it. And even by route. It can be confusing. And costly. Be sure to measure and weigh your bags and check the site for options.

Hawaiian Airlines: Interisland: 1st bag: $30, 2nd bag: $40. North America: $40 for the 1st bag, $45 for the 2nd.

JetBlue: $35-$50 for the first bag, $50-$70 for the second. Discounts are applied depending on when you pay for your checked bag.

Southwest Airlines: $35 for the 1st bag; and $45 for the second bag.

Spirit Airlines: Prices for carry-on and checked bags vary.

United Airlines: $35-$40 for the first bag, $45-50 for the second. 

 

Airport Amenity of the Week

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Singapore’s Changi Airport (SIN) gets high marks and many awards for its amenities, including everything from art and elaborate gardens to free movies and the world’s largest indoor waterfall.

Changi is also known for its customer service.

A few days ago, “due to inclement weather and lightning warnings,” the airport sent out a message on social media to inform passengers of possible delays “in the presentation of baggage as we prioritize the safety of our ground handling staff.”

While passengers waited for their bags to arrive, the airport rolled out carts with complimentary refreshments.

We’ve seen some US airlines send refreshments to the gate area when a flight is very delayed. But this is the first time we’ve seen complimentary refreshments sent to the bag claim area. And while it won’t make the bags arrive faster, it’s a nice gesture.

And so we’re declaring this the Airport Amenity of the Week in hopes that US airlines might take note.

Wacky anti-theft suitcase + Las Vegas treats

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Wacky way to keep luggage safe

It’s no fun having a bag get lost or stolen during a journey.

Today we have digital trackers to help keep track of suitcases. But back in the early 1960s, one smart inventor created a wacky way to make sure a bag wouldn’t get stolen.

Good reasons to go to Las Vegas

The storms that caused flash flooding in Las Vegas have moved on, making way for the return of high (100+ degrees) temperatures and lots of sun.

Good thing. There are lots of reasons to go to Las Vegas and, soon, there’ll be one more.

Between September 5 and October 26, fans of the late actress and singer Debbie Reynolds (“Singin’ in the Rain,” “Unsinkable Molly Brown” and many others) can visit an exhibition titled “The Persona, The Person: Debbie Reynolds in Las Vegas.”

The free exhibit is put together by Reynolds’ son, Todd Fisher, the Debbie Reynolds Estate, and The Neon Museum and features everything from handmade gowns and costumes to personal effects from the time Reynolds and her family lived and performed in Las Vegas. This photo of Reynolds and Liberace is also included in the show.

The exhibit is the headline experience in The Neon Museum’s second annual Duck Duck Shed, a citywide cultural, design, and entertainment festival that takes place October 4-7 and celebrates the allure of Las Vegas’ past and present with behind-the-scenes tours, exclusive exhibitions, and thought-provoking discussions.

Will your bag fit? Maybe. Maybe not.

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This chart greets travelers at boarding gates for international flights at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA).

No doubt, there’s something that looks like this at your airport too.

The chart lists the maximum dimensions – including handles and wheels – of the under-seat and carry-on bags for each airline that flies out of this airport.

And the chart is so busy because the maximum measurement for each airline can be a wee bit different.

Fly on Alaska Airlines, United Airlines, or Virgin Atlantic, and the carry-on bag limit is 22 inches X 14″ inches by 9 inches. Board a Finnair, Lufthansa, or Turkish Airline flight and, according to this chart, your bag must not exceed 22 inches X 16 inches X 9 inches.

What happens if your bag exceeds the maximum size dimensions allowed by your airline?

Often nothing.

But if gate agents for what is sure to be a full flight start measuring bags, or when push comes to shove when there’s no more room in the overhead bins for everyone’s bag, the suitcase that’s an inch or two over the official measurement will likely be the one that gate agents declare needs to be checked.

Often at the passenger’s expense.

Avoid being ‘that person’ by checking your airline’s size restrictions for carry-on bags and measuring yours before you leave home. If your bag just meets the guidelines or, better yet, is a wee bit smaller, jot down your measurements in case you’re challenged.

Tucking a tiny retractable or foldable cloth ruler in your pocket wouldn’t hurt either.

And while you’re at it. Check to see if there are weight restrictions for carry-on bags too.

Have you had a carry-on bag rejected because it was a wee too big? Tell us the story.

(Installation by artist Joel Ross – Room 28)

How about a 2-inch suitcase?

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Would you travel with a flat suitcase? We would.

In March 2020, just days before the world closed down due to the pandemic, our baggage and accessories reporter spent two days at the Travel Goods Show, a for-the-industry event held that year in New Orleans.

In an exhibition hall filled with travel gadgets and suitcases of all shapes, sizes, and prices, the Rollink collapsible suitcase stood out for its ingenuity and convertibility. And its cuteness.

The suitcase is made with hybrid polycarbonate hard shells and fabric that allows the bag to fold down to just 2 inches when not in use. That made it seem perfect for storage between trips, in a cruise cabin, or when staying in one of those teeny-tiny boutique hotel rooms that are so common these days.

We weren’t the only ones charmed by the Rollink.

At the Travel Goods Show, the Rollink received the “Innovation Award” for best new luggage as well as the overall “Buzz Award,” which is awarded to the most attention-getting item in the new products section of the show. 

Of course, the pandemic meant we had no need for suitcases of any size for a while. But that super slim suitcase stuck in our minds.

Now that we’re ready to get back on the road, we’re pleased to see that the Rollink has made its U.S. debut, in partnership with Macy’s. It comes in three sizes, including cabin and cabin plus, both of which are a TSA standard sized carry-on suitcases. There’s also a medium-sized Rollink that should be checked. Prices start at $155.

Cute, right?

Airport Amenities We Love: Coat Check Service

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Here’s a great airport amenity we’re glad is back.

Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport (MKE) is once again offering its popular coat check service.

The service is back for the third winter season and means passengers setting out from MKE for warm weather destinations don’t have to lug their bulky winter jackets, scarves, and gloves with them on the plane.

They can instead check these items inside Summerfest Marketplace, which is located pre-security and open 7 days a week, and available for all flights.

The cost to check a coat is a reasonable $2 per day, with a maximum charge of $10 per trip.

Great idea! Maybe other airports will begin offering this service as well.

Yes, Southwest Airlines will check your pool noodle.

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The world – and a young woman named Sydney Fowls – now knows that Southwest Airlines stands by its promise to allow passengers to check two bags for free.

Even if one of those bags happens to be a pool noodle.

Fowles recently traveled from Ohio to Tampa for a vacation. And, budgets being tight, she decided to bring her own foam pool noodle along.

Rather than bring the pool noodle on the plane and try to put it in the overhead bin, Fowls decided to check the pool noodle as her second free ‘bag.’ To her delight, and now ours, no one at Southwest Airlines said no to checked noodle.

The noodle was tagged and sent out to be loaded onto the plane.

The modern world being what it is, Fowles documented the noodles journey on Tik Tok. She even caught the bemused reaction of the bag handlers who were tasked with loading the noodle onto the plane.

https://www.tiktok.com/@sydneyfowls05/video/6962680092820655365?referer_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.travelandleisure.com%2Ftravel-news%2Fgirl-checked-pool-noodle-southwest-flight&referer_video_id=6962680092820655365&refer=embed&is_copy_url=0&is_from_webapp=v1&sender_device=pc&sender_web_id=6972043465870657030

The internet loved Fowls’ first pool noodle Tik Tok. To the tune of 11 million views (so far).

Did the noodle make it to Tampa?

Spoiler alert: Yes it did. Did the noodle make it back home to Ohio? Yes it did.

Did Southwest Airlines join in the fun? Yes they did.

When Fowls returned from her trip, there was a pool noodle performance waiting for her.

There was a bag carousel filled with pool noodles.

Fowls got a photo op with the bag handlers who were featured in her first Tik Tok post.

And she got her own Southwest Airlines-branded pool noodle.

https://www.tiktok.com/@sydneyfowls05/video/6964790720997641477?referer_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.travelandleisure.com%2Ftravel-news%2Fgirl-checked-pool-noodle-southwest-flight&referer_video_id=6962680092820655365&refer=embed&is_copy_url=0&is_from_webapp=v1&sender_device=pc&sender_web_id=6972043465870657030
https://www.tiktok.com/@sydneyfowls05/video/6965543335943605510?referer_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.travelandleisure.com%2Ftravel-news%2Fgirl-checked-pool-noodle-southwest-flight&referer_video_id=6962680092820655365&refer=embed&is_copy_url=0&is_from_webapp=v1&sender_device=pc&sender_web_id=6972043465870657030

Vote for the airport amenity of the week.

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We used to think that putting roulette wheel numbers on the baggage carousel was the coolest thing you could do with that space.

MSP’s new bag claim carousel

But Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) has done something better.

Instead of the annoying buzzer and flashing light that announces the arrival of bags at some airports, the newly redesigned bag carousels at MSP airport send up the alert with nature sounds and a light show.

We’re making this the first nomination for Airport Amenity of the Week.

Hand washing help

Our second nomination for Airport Amenity of the Week is this high-tech hand-washing station Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT) installed to encourage travelers to wash their hands and “scrub away germs in 12 seconds flat!”

O’Hare Airport’s new Twitter Bio

Pete Buttigieg, who has been named transportation secretary nominee by President-elect Joe Biden, put a spotlight on O’Hare International Airport (ORD) during his formal introduction on Wednesday.

During the event, Buttigieg noted that he proposed to his husband, Chasten, at O’Hare. “Don’t let anybody tell you that O’Hare isn’t romantic,” he said.

Avgeeks know that.

So does United Airlines, which sent out a tweet identifying the engagement gate.

And O’Hare Airport even change its Twitter bio.

It now begins “Place of romance.”

Which would you pick as Airport Amenity of the Week?

MSP’s bag carousel? PIT’s hand washing station? O’Hare’s new status as place of romance?

Let us know in the comments section which of these airport stories you’d pick as Airport Amenity of the Week.

And feel free to nominate an airport amenity for next week’s Airport Amenity of the Week.