How not to lose luggage during air travel

Loss of luggage during air travel is not uncommon. It can be lost during the flight by both unreliable air carriers and eminent world airlines. And in fact, it's not even about the airline, but about the airport serving the flights, because luggage is usually lost in the airport's area of responsibility. So it is a misconception to assume that your things are lost by the airline.

According to international statistics, in 2017, no more than 6 units out of 1000 were lost, which is less than 1 percent, and every year this percentage decreases, as more and more new accounting and control systems are introduced, the human factor is excluded. But there are several reasons that make it more likely that your luggage could get lost:

• If you fly with long and numerous transfers, and check your luggage to the final point. This means that your things without your knowledge are moved from one side to another, and then the chances increase.
• If you are flying with transfers, and when checking your luggage at the check-in desk do not make sure that it will be delivered to your destination. In this case, it can be unloaded at an intermediate airport, and it will spin on the conveyor belt as unclaimed.
• If you arrive too late at the front desk. In this case, your luggage is sent on board last, and under certain conditions it may not have time to be loaded on board, or postponed for shipment on the next flight.
• If you are carrying large, oversized, or too heavy luggage also increase the chance that it will be sent on another flight.
• If your bags, backpacks, or suitcases are poorly packed, their straps can get stuck on airport conveyor belts and even break machinery.
• If you are carrying something that is prohibited or even looks suspiciously like a prohibited item, your bags may be removed for additional screening and may not be returned in time for your flight to depart.
• If there are valuables in your luggage, because, unfortunately, one of the reasons for the loss is the banal thefts committed by airport workers. They may well like a rich-looking suitcase or its contents.

To minimize the chances of losing luggage and increase the chances of it being found later, you should do this::

• Before checking in luggage at the check-in desk, be sure to remove stickers with barcodes from old flights, otherwise it is believed that automatic scanners can read them incorrectly and send it along the conveyor belt to the wrong place.
• Do not delay with its delivery at the reception until the last moment.
• It is good to pack it so that there are no protruding straps and corners.
• Do not put valuables inside, but take them with you in hand luggage.
• Before packing and checking in your luggage, attach a tag with your details to it. Such a tag can be made independently of plain paper and fixed with tape directly on the suitcase. Some backpacks and bags even have special mounts for tags. Also, branded tags can be found at airline check-in counters for free, or buy them at airport stores.
• Already packed luggage should be photographed before delivery, so that in case of loss it would be easier for the search service to identify it.
• And finally, make insurance against loss of luggage. Today, such a service is provided by both insurance companies and airlines themselves can offer such a service when buying a ticket or checking in for a flight.

You can apply for traveler's insurance, including baggage insurance, using the search form:

You can also check and compare insurance prices on these sites:

• ☂ Travel insurance on VisitorsCoverage
• ☂ Travel insurance on Insubuy

What to do if you do not find your things on the baggage belt at the airport of arrival

The procedure in this case is pretty standard. It is necessary to contact the airport staff with this problem. Sometimes for this purpose in the arrivals area of large airports there are special counters and separate staff, in some cases you can ask the first employee who comes along, and you will be directed where you need. You will have to fill out an application on the form, and after that you will only have to wait for your luggage to be found, or compensation will be paid for its loss. Of course, you do not need to wait at the airport, but you can go further on your journey, you will be contacted.

If for certain reasons you can not report the loss at the airport, you can do it by contacting the airline later, but as soon as possible.

The amount of compensation and the time to search for missing baggage differ for different countries, airlines and airports. All this information you can find out when applying for loss.