This is why your luggage gets lost

You know that sinking feeling you get when everyone else is taking off with their bags at their airport, but yours is nowhere to be seen?

We finally have an explanation that isn’t just down to “bad luck”.

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A new report by multinational IT company SITA says that while baggage handling loss has diminished by a whopping 50 per cent since 2007 (and we’ll get to why in a sec) there are still some key points in your journey where your luggage is significantly at risk.

According to SITA (which services the air travel industry) if your journey involves multiple stops, you have a much higher chance of your bag going missing, with 50% of mishandling attributed to multi-ticket bags. So the next time you go to New York, it might be worth making a stop in LA for a few days instead of transiting straight through.

Likewise, ticketing errors, bag switches and security issues account for 19 per cent of lost luggage cases – so to get around this, make sure you take off your old luggage tags from your last trip.

If you’re delayed at the airport for any reason – whether because of customs, weather or space/weight restrictions - you also have a higher chance of your bag going missing, while failure to actually load your luggage into the plane accounts for four per cent of lost bag reports.

Finally, make sure you don’t spend too long distracting the check-in desk with your charm – tagging errors account for another four per cent of lost bags, so it’s important staff get this right from the get-go.

In the sad instance that your luggage does go missing (and haven’t we all been there!), here’s what you should do:

Report it as lost ASAP
Head to the airline counter at the airport as your first point of call. Most ‘lost’ bags are only delayed, and as airlines have increasingly sophisticated systems of tracking them down, can usually do so within a few hours.

However, you still want a paper trail. Even if your bag has been located and you’re told it’s on the next flight, ask them to file a report. Also make sure to get a phone number so that you can follow up/pester someone just in case.

The next step is to contact your own travel insurance company – a must for any traveller. Compensation varies from policy to policy but it’s a good idea to flag upfront and also find out what you are entitled to replace – ie, how much you can spend on new clothes – uh, we mean essentials.

Ask about compensation
If your bag won’t arrive within a reasonable amount of time (and the definition of ‘reasonable’ can vary from carrier to carrier; Delta, for example, defines it as twelve hours) then you might be entitled to reimbursements from the airline to buy a toothbrush and a change of pants.

Follow up
Ok so eventually you had to leave the airport and your bags still weren’t found… Contact the airline on a daily basis (even if they tell you your luggage has been located) to follow up. You’ll have been given a reference number for your report, either at the airport or in a message, to quote every step of the way.

While we know it’s frustrating, try not to yell, as being nice will get you much further.

When your bags finally arrive
Hurray – your bags are at the airport. Assuming you haven’t changed locations, the airline/airport will arrange to have them delivered.

Be prepared for any lost-luggage eventuality!

Lesson learned - always make sure you have some necessary items in your hand luggage.

A change of clothes, underwear and suitable attire for the climate of your destination shouldn’t take up too much space and you won’t end up scrambling to find a winter coat when you arrive.

And it should go without saying - never, ever, stash important documents like cash, credit cards or travel documents in your checked luggage.

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Try to stay calm
According to the Department of Transportation, in 2015 US airlines averaged 3.62 reports of mishandled (defined as lost, damaged or delayed) baggage for every 1,000 passengers. Yes, that comes out to around 2 million bags but - even if you’re standing in baggage claim freaking out - there’s a very, very good chance that you and your suitcase are going to be reunited.

You shouldn’t let it ruin your holiday – you have your credit card and there’s always somewhere to buy a cocktail.