Data is based on nonstop domestic scheduled flights and includes passenger reports of mishandled-baggage, including those that did not subsequently result in claims for compensation.
Data through 2020 were taken from previous editions.
In 2010 the air carriers were AirTran, Alaska, American, American Eagle, Atlantic Southeast, Comair, Continental, Delta, ExpressJet, Frontier, Hawaiian, JetBlue, Mesa, Pinnacle, SkyWest, Southwest, United and US Airways.
Data for Northwest Airlines are included under Delta after merging in January 2010.
American Airlines and US Airways are combined as American Airlines as of January 2014.
Southwest Airlines and AirTran Airways data are combined as Southwest Airlines.
Citation formats
U.S. airline industry - rate of mishandled bags 1990-2021
This statistic represents the number of mishandled bag reports filed by passengers with the largest U.S. air carriers per 1,000 passengers from 1990 through 2021. In 2021, almost *** mishandled-baggage reports were filed per 1,000 passengers transported on domestic flights.
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U.S. Department of Transportation. (February 28, 2022). Rate of mishandled bags in the U.S. airline industry from 1990 to 2021 (per 1,000 passengers) [Graph]. In ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. Retrieved August 03, 2026, from /statistics/538778/rate-of-mishandled-bags-in-the-us-airline-industry/
U.S. Department of Transportation. "Rate of mishandled bags in the U.S. airline industry from 1990 to 2021 (per 1,000 passengers)." Chart. February 28, 2022. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. Accessed August 03, 2026. /statistics/538778/rate-of-mishandled-bags-in-the-us-airline-industry/
U.S. Department of Transportation. (2022). Rate of mishandled bags in the U.S. airline industry from 1990 to 2021 (per 1,000 passengers). ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ Inc.. Accessed: August 03, 2026. /statistics/538778/rate-of-mishandled-bags-in-the-us-airline-industry/
U.S. Department of Transportation. "Rate of Mishandled Bags in The U.S. Airline Industry from 1990 to 2021 (per 1,000 Passengers)." ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ, ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ Inc., 28 Feb 2022, /statistics/538778/rate-of-mishandled-bags-in-the-us-airline-industry/
U.S. Department of Transportation, Rate of mishandled bags in the U.S. airline industry from 1990 to 2021 (per 1,000 passengers) ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ, /statistics/538778/rate-of-mishandled-bags-in-the-us-airline-industry/ (last visited August 03, 2026)
Rate of mishandled bags in the U.S. airline industry from 1990 to 2021 (per 1,000 passengers) [Graph], U.S. Department of Transportation, February 28, 2022. [Online]. Available: /statistics/538778/rate-of-mishandled-bags-in-the-us-airline-industry/
