Envoy Air Joins American Airlines, Republic Airways, United, Alaska Airlines and Other Major U.S. Carriers on the Infamous List of Airlines Most Likely to Lose Your Luggage, with Thousands of Bags Mishandled Every Year, Here is What You Need to Know Now

Published on December 28, 2025

As millions of people travel home for Christmas, the excitement of holiday travel is often overshadowed by a troubling reality: luggage mishandling. Research shows that American Airlines, along with other major U.S. carriers like Envoy Air, Republic Airways, United Airlines and Alaska Airlines, are among the worst offenders when it comes to losing or misdirecting luggage. This article takes an in-depth look at the airlines that are most likely to leave you without your bags and why they struggle to get your luggage to its destination on time.

American Airlines: The Leader of Mishandling

American Airlines has earned the unenviable title of mishandling the most luggage in the United States. With over 1.75 million bags mishandled between 2021 and 2024, it tops the list of the most notorious airlines for losing luggage. The airline’s mishandling rate stands at a staggering 8.71 per 1,000 bags enplaned. This means that for every 1,000 pieces of luggage checked in on an American Airlines flight, nearly 9 bags go missing or are mishandled.

American Airlines operates the largest airline network in the world, with over 350 destinations and a fleet of 960 mainline aircraft. Its vast reach makes it one of the busiest carriers globally, but it also presents a major challenge for baggage handling systems. With so many daily flights and such a large fleet, ensuring that every piece of luggage reaches its intended destination on time is a monumental task. However, the airline’s failure to improve its baggage handling system during peak seasons has contributed to its high mishandling rate.

Envoy Air: A Close Competitor in Luggage Mishandling

Envoy Air, a regional airline operating under the American Airlines umbrella, ranks second for mishandled luggage. Despite handling only a fraction of the bags compared to American Airlines, Envoy Air has mishandled a significant number of pieces. With 224,236 bags mishandled between 2021 and 2024, it achieves a mishandling rate of 8.25 per 1,000 bags enplaned.

The reason for Envoy Air’s luggage mishandling issues can be attributed to its rapid turnaround times and the sheer volume of regional flights it operates. Envoy Air is responsible for short-haul, high-frequency routes that often experience tight schedules. These quick turnarounds, combined with high passenger loads, leave little room for error when handling luggage. When things go wrong, it is often the bags that suffer.

Republic Airways: Operating Under Pressure

Another regional carrier under the American Airlines network, Republic Airways, ranks third on the list for mishandling luggage. Republic Airways operates flights under the American Eagle brand and is responsible for a high number of short-haul routes. Despite handling fewer bags than American Airlines or Envoy Air, it still manages to mishandle a considerable amount.

With a mishandling rate of 7.01 per 1,000 bags enplaned, Republic Airways has mishandled 194,667 pieces of luggage in the same timeframe. The airline’s operations involve smaller aircraft, which can be more prone to capacity issues and last-minute changes in baggage handling procedures. This increases the chances that a bag might not make it to its final destination, especially during busy travel times.

United Airlines: Struggling with a Massive Network

United Airlines is another giant in the U.S. airline industry, serving over 300 destinations worldwide. Despite its large network and strong reputation, United Airlines has its fair share of mishandled luggage. With 932,219 bags mishandled between 2021 and 2024, United Airlines comes in fifth on the list.

The mishandling rate of United Airlines stands at 6.43 per 1,000 bags enplaned. Like American Airlines, the sheer size of its operations creates challenges in baggage handling. United operates thousands of flights a day and despite the airline’s advanced technology and baggage systems, occasional human errors or unforeseen complications result in misplaced luggage. The airline has been under scrutiny for its luggage mishandling rate, especially during peak travel periods when more bags are in transit.

Alaska Airlines: Overcoming Winter Weather and Operational Strain

While Alaska Airlines is known for its excellent customer service, it still struggles with mishandled luggage. Over the course of the past three years, Alaska Airlines has mishandled 402,781 pieces of luggage, placing it fourth on the list. The mishandling rate is 6.69 per 1,000 bags enplaned, a relatively high rate for a carrier of Alaska’s size.

Alaska Airlines operates in regions with challenging weather conditions, particularly during the winter months when snowstorms and ice can disrupt flight schedules. The airline’s high mishandling rate is partly due to these operational challenges. Delays, cancellations and tight turnarounds often contribute to situations where luggage gets left behind. Although Alaska Airlines has made strides in improving its baggage handling, the airline still faces occasional operational hiccups.

The Causes Behind Luggage Mishandling

What leads to so many bags being mishandled each year? While operational issues and high passenger numbers are significant contributing factors, several other reasons can explain why major carriers like American Airlines, Envoy Air, Republic Airways, United Airlines and Alaska Airlines struggle to keep luggage safe.

• Tight Turnaround Times: Many of these airlines, especially regional carriers, operate under tight schedules. This can create situations where luggage is not properly transferred between flights, leading to mishandling.
• Weather Disruptions: Bad weather, particularly snowstorms or hurricanes, can throw airline schedules into chaos, causing baggage delays or mishandling. Alaska Airlines is particularly vulnerable to such disruptions.
• High Passenger Traffic: Airlines like American Airlines and United Airlines handle a massive number of passengers every day. With so many bags to process, even a small mistake can result in hundreds or thousands of bags going missing.
• Limited Space on Smaller Aircraft: Regional carriers like Envoy Air and Republic Airways operate smaller aircraft, which often have limited space for luggage. This can result in delays and issues with bag handling, especially when connecting flights are involved.

What Are Airlines Doing to Solve the Problem?

Despite the high number of mishandled bags, most airlines, including American Airlines, Envoy Air, Republic Airways, United Airlines and Alaska Airlines, have taken steps to address the issue. Investments in advanced baggage handling technologies, including automated systems, real-time tracking and better customer service protocols, are slowly improving the situation.

In addition, airlines are working to increase staff training, particularly during high-demand periods like the holiday season. There are also plans to expand baggage claim areas and improve coordination between airlines to ensure a smoother process for transferring luggage between flights.

Other Culprits: Spirit, PSA, JetBlue, SkyWest and Delta

While American Airlines, Envoy Air, Republic Airways, United Airlines and Alaska Airlines dominate the list of the worst luggage offenders, Spirit Airlines, PSA Airlines, JetBlue Airways, SkyWest Airlines and Delta Airlines also face significant baggage mishandling issues. Spirit Airlines, with its low-cost model, mishandles 4.93 bags per 1,000 enplaned and struggles with high passenger volumes. PSA Airlines, a regional carrier, faces similar challenges, with 6.06 bags mishandled per 1,000. JetBlue, known for its customer service, has mishandled 5.67 bags per 1,000 despite its operational improvements. SkyWest Airlines, handling thousands of regional flights, reports 5.28 mishandled bags per 1,000, while Delta Airlines, one of the biggest global carriers, faces mishandling rates of 5.10 bags per 1,000, despite its robust baggage tracking systems. These airlines also continue to address their baggage handling issues with new technology and operational changes.

What Can Passengers Do to Protect Their Bags?

For travelers, there are steps to take to minimize the chance of their bags being mishandled. Packing a carry-on with essential items, using trackable luggage tags and getting to the airport early are all effective ways to help avoid potential baggage issues.

In the unfortunate event that a bag is mishandled, passengers should file a report immediately with the airline. Most airlines have dedicated teams to trace lost luggage and having the right documentation can expedite the process.

Conclusion

While it’s disappointing to see so many well-known airlines like American Airlines, Envoy Air, Republic Airways, United Airlines and Alaska Airlines featured prominently on the list of the worst offenders when it comes to mishandled luggage, it’s clear that the sheer size and complexity of their operations play a significant role in these issues.

As travelers continue to rely on air travel, airlines must continue working towards refining their luggage handling processes and minimizing the inconvenience for passengers. Though improvements are on the horizon, it remains important for travelers to be prepared for the unexpected.

Source: The data used in this article comes from MyBaggage.com and the US Department of Transportation’s Air Travel Consumer Reports.