United Airlines took the prize for the worst luggage handling record among major U.S. airlines. According to a recent study, while there were several small regional airlines with a worse record, United Airlines had a significantly worse record than any of the other major carriers.
In fact, American Airlines, who also has a significant number of customer service problems, flew the same number of passengers as United Airlines and yet, United Airlines mishandled approximately 80,000 more bags than did American.
Southwest Airlines came in as second worst when it comes to baggage handling. However, this is caused by Southwest’s business decision to not delay the takeoff of a flight if luggage is coming in from another flight and is late. In other words, Southwest Airlines places a higher priority on being on time and not inconveniencing a plane full of passengers than making sure every last piece of luggage is there at the time of take off. They make sure all the luggage ends up where it needs to be later even if that means delivering your luggage directly to your home or hotel.
United Airline’s poor handling of luggage has had a long history. Even as far back as 2012 the Department of Transportation (Aviation Consumer Protection Division) received more than twice the number of complaints regarding United Airline’s handling of luggage than any other carrier.
When we pack for a trip, we often take for granted that what we pack will be at the arriving airport at the time that we arrive. A trip can be ruined if critical items such as clothes, product samples, or photography gear are lost or stolen leaving the hapless traveler helpless.
United Airlines limits their active searching for your luggage to 30 days. Of course, this doesn’t really mean that someone is truly looking for your luggage all that time. After all, they have other people’s lost luggage to find too. It just means that after 30 days you are officially on the back-burner.
In the event that your luggage has been lost by United Airlines, here are some places to start:
Phone:
1-281-821-3526
1-800-335-2247 (Toll-free from U.S. and Canada)
001-866-563-3244 (Toll-free from Mexico)
Country access code + 800-33-55-2247 (Toll-free from Asia Pacific and Europe)
Postal Mail:
United Airlines
Baggage Resolution Service Center
900 Grand Plaza Drive
Houston, TX 77067
Best of luck on your travels.