Everyone’s worst travel nightmare is arriving at your destination only to find your baggage hasn’t travelled with you – which was the reality for more than seven million people between 2021 and 2024.
Losing your luggage can frustratingly be completely out of your control, but there are some things you can do to lower the risk of it happening.
Gareth Llewellyn, travel and luxury holiday expert for Chaka Travel, shared his tips on how to make sure your luggage is kept safe and your holiday gets off to a smooth start
He told the Daily Express: “First is to ensure that your luggage meets specific airline weight requirements. There are several reasons for strict airline weight limits including fuel efficiency, logistics and safety.
“If your baggage exceeds these limits, it’s likely to be set aside for assisted and specialist handling, which means there is more of a chance of it going missing.
“To avoid this, be sure to weigh your bags before heading to the airport and use a reliable pair of scales to ensure your bag is within the appropriate weight limit.”
Gareth also emphasised the importance of time management and doing everything you possibly can to avoid a mad dash through the airport.
He said: “Arriving at the airport in good time and checking in early can also help as your baggage will be processed and loaded onto the plane properly.
“Passengers that check-in late are often rushed and their baggage is sped through handling, which can further increase the chance of errors.
“This is why most airlines recommend that you arrive at least two hours before domestic flights and three hours before international flights. This will ensure that your airport experience is smooth and reduces the risk of items being left behind.”
If you are carrying larger items or equipment you should arrive even earlier in case they require “specialist handling”. Combing these handy tips should leave you able to relax on your holiday and not stress about your luggage going missing.
Gareth concluded: “This advice is particularly important for passengers travelling with extra equipment like golf clubs. Large and oversized items often require specialist handling, which can add time to the process.
“What’s more, you can instead focus on your trip without worrying about lost luggage and the issues this can bring. For an additional layer of security and peace of mind, you could also invest in a luggage tracker.”