[Yada Yada]

Originally Posted by www.usatoday.com

Airlines lost 10,000 bags a day in '05

U.S. airlines last year lost about 10,000 bags a day on average, the worst performance since 1990.

The rate of lost suitcase reports per 1,000 passengers on flights soared 23% from a year earlier, according to recent numbers from the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Among the reasons: a surge in the number of passengers, airline budget cuts, backed-up flights and tighter inspections of luggage.

                         Reports per   Year-over-year
Airline                  1,000 pax     increase
US Airways                  9.62          81%
Delta Air Lines             7.09          37% 
American Airlines           5.92          25% 
Northwest Airlines          4.86          15% 
America West Airlines       4.33           9% 
United Airlines             4.28           9% 
Southwest Airlines          4.25          27% 
Continental Airlines        4.12          15%

More...

Go LOTFAP!!!

[Kiwi Flyer]

What counts as lost? Truly lost, or merely a lost baggage claim (which likely includes a lot of misconnects)?

[Yada Yada]

Originally Posted by Kiwi Flyer

What counts as lost? Truly lost, or merely a lost baggage claim (which likely includes a lot of misconnects)?

The statistic is "reports of lost bags", so presumably many are later found. Nonetheless the cost to handle this must be massive.

I was surprised to see UA performing much better than AA. I assumed it would be the other way around.

[JohnK]

If you read the rest of the story

Originally Posted by www.usatoday.com

In all, passengers filed with airlines more than 3.5 million reports of lost bags, most of which eventually find their way back to owners.

Would love some comparison of lost baggage on non US airlines.

[Kiwi Flyer]

The rates for UA and AA are about the same to within 1%. A couple of decent storms affecting one airline more than other could make that much difference.