Lost Luggage Rates: European Edition

February 22, 2008 | Posted in: Airlines, Customer Service

From time to time, I’ve told you about lost/delayed baggage by U.S airlines. So how’s it going in Europe? Among the major European carriers? Well, they’ve had their troubles over the past year. The biggest loser (of luggage)? A bit of a surprise (hint: it’s not a British airline). Keep reading for the winners and losers of 2007.

According to the UK’s “passenger watchdog” agency, called the Air Transport Users Council (AUC), the worst performance goes to TAP Air Portugal (which according to this article had a delay rate of 27.8 bags per thousand passengers).

It just edged out the previous winner, yes, British Airways.

Europe’s Top 3 Worst Delayed/Lost Luggage Airlines

1. TAP Air Portugal (27.8 bags per thousand)

2. British Airways (26.5 bags per thousand)

3. (Tie) KLM and Alitalia (19.7 bags per thousand)

 

The best performers? Air Malta and Turkish Airlines, who mishandled just 4.5 bags per thousand.

Please note: this is a listing of major European carriers; the AUC did not include such airlines as Ryanair, EasyJet, and Virgin Atlantic in its list.

7 Responses to “Lost Luggage Rates: European Edition”

1. Janet says:

   February 22, 2008 at 4:14 pm

   I don’t know why it’s so hard for them to keep the luggage straight…it’s just organization 101, IMHO .

   Anyway, after getting mine lost once, a friend suggested this service to me that makes me feel a lot better about traveling again…it’s http://www.globalbagtag.com-so far so good with them, friendly, quick service. Hope that helps you or your readers, take care!
2. nmlhats says:

   March 20, 2008 at 12:39 am

   And this is exactly why on my upcoming DFW-LHR-IST-DFW trip I am flying DFW to London on AA, then LHR-IST on Turkish; then IST-ORD on Turkish connecting ORD-DFW on AA.

   All this to avoid traveling on BA at-or-through LHR. So I can meet up with my bags at the correct destination at the same time.
3. nmlhats says:

   March 20, 2008 at 12:40 am

   p.s. this is on an award ticket with a weeklong stopover in London.
4. Divina says:

   June 11, 2008 at 11:43 am

   I just got back from my first mediterranean cruise and flew TAP Portugal from Newark, USA to Barcelona, Spain. My luggages did not arrive in Barcelona with me. They told me that the luggages will be delivered to the next port (Nice, France). My luggage never arrived in Nice. I phoned Newco Airport SErvices (the number that was given to me when I was in Barcelona Airport) and everyday they kept on telling me that my lugages would be delivered to the next port. But it never came! After 7 days, I was called to pick up my luggage at the Barcelona Airport before I leave Europe to goto the USA. They did not offer me any information on how I can get compensation or they did not even apologize and acknowledge the fact that I was totally inconvenienced!! I am now back home and I can’t even get through to someone in Tap Portugal to give me staright answers on how I can speak to someone regarding compensation. I want Tap Portugal to lose business and go bankrupt! WORST airline experience ever!!!!!!! starrlite72@hotmail.com
5. Liam says:

   October 15, 2008 at 4:18 pm

   Its now October 2008 and TAP Portugal still is the worst delayed/lost/damaged baggage airline in the world. Their website has a section on lost baggage, and still nothing is being done about it. Somebody do something! or warn everyone!
6. adrianoalves92 says:

   September 20, 2009 at 3:05 pm

   very strange.. everybody says that TAP is always delayed.. loses your luggage.. cancels your flights.. so why you fly with that company?! I’ve flown TAP at least 6 times and nothing to complain about.. and other companies i flown, like lufthansa, scandinavian, air luxor, sata, among others i’ve flown most, i have nothing to complain. What i have to complain is about BA, when i arrived Lisbon (TAP is based there) coming from heathrow, my bag was destroyed!! no wheels, no front bag, no handle, almost nothing!! so i think this article is fake.
7. Rick Seaney says:

   September 20, 2009 at 5:53 pm

   adrianoalves92,
   Please understand that NONE of our articles are “fake”; a lot of time and effort goes into every single one. But I do want to point out to you that the article you commented on today (9/20/09) was published way back in February of 2008. Things could have changed since then. But welcome to the blog, and I hope you’ll keep reading to see our latest posts.
   Best,
   Rick