British Airways
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British Airways leads the list of UK airlines most likely to lose your luggage, with nearly 7,000 bags going missing each month. However, new data reveals that passenger volume paints a more complex picture of these headline-grabbing numbers.

Thousands of Bags Go Missing Monthly

A recent study by Ink Digital, using data from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), highlights the airlines most responsible for misplaced luggage across UK airports. Topping the chart is British Airways, with 6,938 bags reportedly lost per month – equivalent to 83,256 bags annually, or 231 a day.

KLM ranks second with 1,372 bags lost per month, followed by easyJet with 1,208. Even premium airline Emirates sees 1,048 bags vanish monthly.

Top 10 UK Airlines for Lost Luggage:

  • British Airways: 6,938/month – 83,256/year
  • KLM: 1,372/month – 16,464/year
  • easyJet: 1,208/month – 14,496/year
  • Emirates: 1,048/month – 12,576/year
  • Lufthansa: 987/month
  • Ryanair: 985/month – 11,820/year
  • Turkish Airlines: 803/month – 9,636/year
  • Qatar Airways: 598/month – 7,176/year
  • American Airlines: 557/month – 6,684/year
  • Aer Lingus: 523/month – 6,276/year

Passenger Volume Adds Context

While British Airways tops the chart, it also handles a significant portion of UK air traffic, accounting for around 49% of all lost baggage included in the study. According to Ink Digital, approximately 14,019 bags are misplaced every month across all airlines—totalling around 168,228 annually.

This figure represents an average of 461 bags per day. Given that UK airports manage roughly 809,000 travellers daily (or 295.4 million annually), some may argue these losses are within margin. However, with modern tracking systems, the ideal number should be zero.

Simple Flying reported in 2024 that mishandled luggage across Europe has dropped by 63% since 2007, even as passenger numbers soared by 111% – proof that airport procedures have generally improved.

Why Luggage Goes Missing

Key Causes of Lost or Mishandled Bags:

  • Post-pandemic staff shortages
  • Complicated transfer processes at large hubs like Heathrow
  • Glitches in automated baggage handling systems
  • Overwhelming passenger volume
  • Criminal activity, including theft by staff

How Travellers Can Protect Their Bags

While the odds are in your favour, it pays to be proactive. Here are some tips to help safeguard your luggage:

  • Use GPS trackers such as AirTags or Samsung SmartTags
  • Photograph your bag and contents before travel
  • Include name, phone number, and address tags inside and outside the bag
  • Avoid checking in valuables (e.g. electronics, documents, jewellery)

Final Thoughts

Though the numbers may alarm, the broader context offers some reassurance. British Airways' high figures likely reflect its scale rather than systemic failure, and even the worst offenders have baggage success rates above 99%.

Ultimately, it comes down to managing expectations and packing smart. Investing in a £30 tracker might just save your holiday, and your sanity, when that carousel turns up empty.

Writer's pick
UK