Brits are advised to plan their trips with caution as the holiday season ramps up and bags inevitably go on their separate vacations. In today's busy tourism space, checked-in bags going missing or being delayed arriving at your final destination is not an uncommon thing. And it is advised that you plan for that accordingly to ensure you can survive for 24-48 hours with what you pack in your carry-on luggage.

Having a backup plan and being able to last a day or two with what you take onto the plane could pay dividends if or more likely when your cargo hold luggage goes AWOL. In 2023, there were a total of 36.1m bags mishandled which includes lost, delayed or damaged luggage due to travelling on planes or through airports. This would be the equivalent of giving almost every citizen of Australia and Papua New Guinea one piece of luggage. Within this nomenclature, delayed luggage by far makes up the most prevalent number, with around 80% of mishandled bags deriving from this category.

Preventing Mishandled Luggage

There are several ways that you can increase the efficiency of airlines and airports although there is no ironclad guarantee. Here are some tips on how to prepare for your trip and potentially avoid mishandled luggage:

• Don’t be late: arrive at the airport on time, as this will help avoid rushed check-in or security screening. If you arrive early, it will reduce the chance of mishandled luggage.
• Mark and label your luggage: to avoid someone else grabbing your bag accidentally, mark your luggage to stand out (colored ribbons, bright stickers) to differentiate it from others. Make sure to label your luggage (name, contact details) both outside and inside your bag.
• Pack wisely: do not pack dangerous goods or expensive items in your checked bag – dangerous goods might be a reason your bag is stopped by security and not loaded on time. Also, expensive items might attract unwanted attention from dishonest airport staff and thieves.
• No short transfers: if possible, use direct flights only. If transfer flights are unavoidable, try and skip having short layovers and attempt to book your transfers with at least one hour in between them.
• Carry-on basics: pack your essentials in a carry-on bag, and add back-up items and toiletries to carry you through the first 24 hours just in case your luggage arrives later.
• Purchase insurance: always travel with insurance that includes luggage coverage as well. In the event of delayed or damaged luggage, it will make your travel less stressful and replace any items that are lost.

Although you only have less than 1% chance that your luggage will go walkabout, it’s always wise to know your rights and responsibilities if the situation arises.

Ensure you report the missing bag/s immediately to the airline including damaged or delayed bags within 24 hours of your arrival. Preferably, you should do this straight after your flight or at the earliest opportunity. You will need to provide all of the details about your flight and your bag's appearance, as well as its contents. Taking a photo prior to going to the airport on your phone will help.

If you do have luggage go missing, having your valuables, a spare change of clothes and prescribed medications in your carry-on baggage could assist you during this stressful time.

Keep your flight documents at hand as these will be essential for processing your claim. If you purchase essential items because of delayed luggage keep all of your receipts. If your bag is not found within 21 days, you should file a claim for compensation in response to your lost luggage.