American Airlines leads US carriers in luggage mishandling rates

Federal flight data for early 2026 indicates that luggage mishandling remains a significant issue for travelers, with over one million checked bags reported mishandled.

Among major domestic carriers, American Airlines recorded the highest rate of baggage issues, mishandling “0.73 bags for every 100” checked. Envoy Air and United Airlines also experienced high rates of luggage delays and errors. Regional carriers, including SkyWest, similarly reported higher rates of mishandled items.

In contrast, budget airlines showed higher reliability. Allegiant Air led the industry for careful handling, with a mishandling rate of approximately one bag per one thousand checked items. JetBlue and Southwest also demonstrated strong performance in baggage reliability. Experts suggest that nonstop routes and simple systems contribute to smoother baggage transfers and fewer errors.