Airlines Lead in Mishandled Checked Bags
United and American Airlines ranked worst among major U.S. carriers for mishandled checked bags in 2025, according to Squaremouth analysis.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Air Travel
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United Airlines and American Airlines mishandled more checked bags than any other major U.S. carrier in 2025, Squaremouth analysis found. Allegiant Air posted the lowest mishandled-bag rate among major U.S. carriers over the same period.
Why it matters
Checked-bag mishandling affects travelers across the United States who rely on major domestic carriers for their trips. The rankings give passengers a comparative measure of baggage performance when choosing an airline.
Department of Transportation data, analyzed by Squaremouth, shows United's network mishandled 0.72 bags per 100 checked and American's 0.66, compared with 0.54 for Hawaiian, 0.38 for Southwest, 0.31 for JetBlue and 0.09 for Allegiant. The analysis does not identify the operational causes behind the gap between carriers.
The players
Squaremouth
Squaremouth is a U.S. travel insurance comparison company that analyzed the federal baggage data.
United Airlines
United Airlines is a major U.S. carrier whose network posted the highest mishandled-bag rate among major domestic airlines in 2025.
American Airlines
American Airlines is a major U.S. carrier whose network posted the second-highest mishandled-bag rate among major domestic airlines in 2025.
The details
Squaremouth analyzed Department of Transportation figures covering 2025 for major U.S. carriers. The results placed United and American at the bottom of the group, with Allegiant at the top for baggage handling.
Timeline
2025: Baggage mishandling rates measured for major U.S. carriers.
Ahead of Thanksgiving travel: Department of Transportation data released for analysis.
Travel Outlook
The rankings draw on the Department of Transportation's mishandled-baggage reporting, which federal regulators publish to compare carriers over time. Baggage performance differences like these tend to shape how travelers weigh carriers ahead of peak seasons such as the winter holidays.
Travelers checking bags on major U.S. carriers can compare published mishandled-bag rates before booking to weigh baggage risk. Packing essentials in a carry-on remains the practical way to reduce exposure to lost or delayed luggage.
The takeaway
Checking a bag carries a measurable risk that varies by airline, so reviewing carrier baggage records can help travelers plan. Keeping essentials in a carry-on limits the damage if a checked bag goes astray.
Further reading
Compare more airline performance coverage in the Air Travel section.
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