How to Never Lose Your Luggage

Step 1: Fly on a weekend Pick a weekend flight. Because fewer people fly on weekends, baggage handlers aren’t so frazzled and are less likely to make mistakes.
Step 2: Avoid connections Avoid connections. Having a layover almost doubles the odds your luggage gets lost. And in a tight connection, your bags may not follow you to the plane.
Step 3: Remove old tags Remove anything that might confuse automatic bag screening machines, like pieces of old luggage tags from previous trips.
Step 4: Personalize your bag Jazz things up a bit! Put a big ribbon, stickers, or tape on your bag—anything to personalize it. Thousands of people unknowingly walk off with the wrong bag.
TIP: When buying a suitcase, choose any other color but black. It accounts for more than 80% of all bags!
Step 5: Check in early Check in early. Most lost luggage is checked within 30 minutes of takeoff. It also takes longer for a bag to get to the plane than for you to get to the gate.
Step 6: Check the airport code Ask for the code of the airport you’re flying to, then compare it to the tag they put on your bag. Most lost luggage is incorrectly tagged.
FACT: Most lost luggage finds its way home—only 2% is never found.

Lessons in this Guide