DALLAS — Among the issues air travelers face when trying to reach their final destination, customers' luggage ending up damaged, misplaced or delayed happens far too often.
A report from the U.S. Department of Transportation uncovers U.S. airline passenger reports of mishandled baggage in July 2019.
The report spotlights the top offending airlines, including airline giants such as American Airlines and Delta Air Lines. Other smaller brands, such as Mesa Airlines and Endeavor Air, are also examined.
The number of mishandled bags represents the number of checked bags that were lost, damaged, delayed and pilfered.
The data reflects bags that were in the airline's custody during its reportable domestic nonstop scheduled passenger flights and stems from reports made by or on behalf of the passenger.
Southwest Airlines, which is headquartered in Dallas, had one of the lowest mishandled baggage rates and ranked No. 13 out of 17 airlines. Fort Worth-based American Airlines was No. 3.
Envoy Air, a wholly owned subsidiary of American Airlines, topped the list with the most mishandled bags per 1,000 enplaned.
Republic Airways, which operates as American Eagle, Delta Connection and United Express, ranked in the No. 2 spot ahead of American Airlines.
To see complete rankings for 18 major U.S. airlines, click here.
