American Airlines Joins Envoy Air, Alaska, Republic Airways, PSA, and JetBlue in New List of US Carriers with the Highest Rate of Mishandled Luggage, New Research Shows

Published on November 27, 2025

By: Tuhin Sarkar

American Airlines has joined Envoy Air, Alaska, Republic Airways, PSA, and JetBlue in a new list of US carriers with the highest rate of mishandled luggage, according to recent research. The data reveals shocking figures, showing that American Airlines, along with Envoy Air, Alaska, Republic Airways, PSA, and JetBlue, are among the top carriers when it comes to mishandling passengers’ luggage.

This new list highlights the troubling trends that continue to plague the airline industry, with these carriers facing significant challenges in managing luggage effectively. Whether you’re flying with American Airlines, Envoy Air, Alaska, Republic Airways, PSA, or JetBlue, this research brings to light crucial information that every traveller should know.

These airlines are ranked based on the high mishandling rates of luggage, a crucial issue that affects millions of passengers. With mishandling rates at an all-time high, it’s important for travellers to be aware of which carriers are consistently losing luggage.

The research also urges passengers to consider the risks before booking their next flight. For those looking for insight into which US carriers have the highest mishandling rates, this article provides all the essential details. Stay tuned to discover more about the airlines you may want to avoid when travelling.

American Airlines is the US carrier with the highest rate of mishandled luggage, according to recent data. With over 1.75 million bags mishandled from 2021 to 2024, it ranks as the airline with the most frequent baggage losses. The report, published by luggage experts MyBaggage.com, compares data from various US airlines and reveals the staggering statistics of luggage mishandling. American Airlines leads with 8.71 mishandled bags per 1,000 enplaned, followed by other major carriers like Envoy Air and Republic Airways. Despite these figures, the odds of losing your luggage remain low, showing that mishandling is rare but impactful for travellers.

Why American Airlines Mishandles the Most Bags

American Airlines operates one of the largest fleets globally, with 960 mainline aircraft. Its size is both an advantage and a challenge. With more flights and passengers, the potential for luggage mishandling naturally increases. In total, the airline enplaned over 200 million pieces of luggage, of which 1.75 million were mishandled. This gives a mishandling rate of 8.71 per 1,000 bags enplaned. While these numbers seem large, they must be considered in the context of the airline’s massive scale. Despite leading the statistics, American Airlines still maintains a relatively low mishandling percentage, making the chance of a traveller losing their luggage just 0.87%.

Envoy Air and Republic Airways Rank Close Behind

Following American Airlines, Envoy Air ranks second, with 8.25 bags mishandled per 1,000 enplaned. Envoy operates a network of over 1,000 flights daily to 150 destinations, contributing to its mishandling numbers. The airline has enplaned more than 27 million bags over the past few years, with over 224,000 mishandled. Republic Airways, the third-highest, mishandled 194,667 bags from 27.75 million enplaned. The mishandling rate here stands at 7.01 per 1,000, slightly lower than Envoy but still significant.

Alaska Airlines: The Fourth-Biggest Mishandler

Alaska Airlines, which ranks as the fifth-largest airline in the US and Canada, mishandled 6.69 bags per 1,000 enplaned. Over the three years analyzed, the airline handled over 60 million pieces of luggage, with 402,781 mishandled. The rate of mishandling is considerable but still falls behind Envoy and Republic. Alaska Airlines is known for its strong customer service, so these mishandling numbers may be surprising to some. However, with the large volume of travel and bags handled by major carriers, occasional mishaps are inevitable.

United Airlines: A Major Player in Luggage Mishandling

United Airlines, with its global network spanning over 300 destinations, is another major airline in the mishandled luggage rankings. United enplaned over 144 million bags, and of those, 932,000 were mishandled. This gives a rate of 6.43 bags per 1,000 enplaned. United’s vast network and scale contribute to these statistics, and though its mishandling figures are high, the chances of losing a bag remain relatively low. In fact, United ranks fifth for mishandling but still handles millions of pieces of luggage efficiently every year.

PSA Airlines and JetBlue Follow in Mishandling Rankings

PSA Airlines, ranking sixth, mishandled 207,060 bags out of 34 million enplaned, a mishandling rate of 6.06 per 1,000. This regional carrier serves smaller markets and is part of the American Airlines network, thus contributing to its overall mishandling numbers. JetBlue, another low-cost carrier, comes in seventh on the list. Despite handling over 44 million bags in the past three years, JetBlue’s mishandling rate stands at 5.67 per 1,000. However, JetBlue also leads in mishandling wheelchairs and mobility vehicles, with the highest rate of 33 per 1,000 enplaned.

SkyWest and Delta Airlines Close Out the Top 10

SkyWest Airlines, a regional carrier with a fleet of 500 planes, mishandled 439,290 bags across 83 million enplaned, a mishandling rate of 5.28 per 1,000. Delta Airlines, one of the largest US carriers, ranks eighth for mishandling, with 5.10 bags mishandled per 1,000 enplaned. Delta handles over 217 million pieces of luggage, so while the mishandling figures are high, the chance of a traveller experiencing such an issue is still minimal. Spirit Airlines, the final airline in the top 10, ranks tenth with 185,610 bags mishandled out of 37 million enplaned, equating to a mishandling rate of 4.93.

How Likely Is Your Luggage to be Mishandled?

The data clearly shows that mishandling is a rare occurrence, even for the airlines with the highest numbers. American Airlines, despite leading the statistics, still has a mishandling rate of just 0.87%. This means that for every 1,000 bags enplaned, only 8.71 will be mishandled. The report emphasizes that while baggage mishandling is an unfortunate part of air travel, it remains a low-percentage event. However, the inconvenience it causes can still be frustrating for those affected. Understanding the odds and being prepared with insurance or tracking technology can help mitigate the impact of a lost bag.

What Can Passengers Do to Minimise the Risk of Mishandling?

While the airlines work diligently to ensure luggage is safely transported, there are steps passengers can take to minimise the risk of mishandling. Ensuring bags are well-labelled with clear contact details is essential. Travellers can also track their luggage through airline apps or use third-party services to track their bags. If mishandling does occur, knowing your rights and contacting the airline immediately can help resolve the issue quickly. Finally, packing essentials in carry-on bags can prevent major disruptions if checked luggage goes missing.

While American Airlines may have the most mishandled luggage, the overall rate of mishandling is still relatively low compared to the vast amount of luggage enplaned. The statistics presented by MyBaggage.com provide valuable insights for both airlines and passengers alike. For the vast majority of travellers, mishandling remains an unlikely event, but when it happens, being prepared can make all the difference. Airlines continue to improve baggage handling processes, and passengers can take measures to protect themselves from the rare inconvenience of lost luggage.