Luggage Crisis: Sostravel.com’s Lost Luggage Concierge Index Reveals the Worst Airports and Airlines of Winter 2024/2025

Rhea-AI Summary

Sostravel.com has released its Lost Luggage Concierge Index for Winter 2024/2025, analyzing baggage-related issues from November 12, 2024, to January 12, 2025. The report reveals that baggage damage was the most common complaint (49.28%), followed by delayed deliveries (23.91%) and lost luggage (8.70%).

Royal Air Maroc topped the list of airlines with the most issues (8.70%), followed by Air France and Turkish Airlines (both 7.97%). The airports with the highest reported problems were Istanbul (IST), Paris (CDG), Praia (RAI), and Abidjan (ABJ). November 20, 2024, was identified as the worst travel date, accounting for 5.07% of complaints.

Notably, 63.04% of affected flights involved at least one stopover, with these connections showing higher rates of delivery delays (24.14%) and lost luggage (9.20%). Direct flights experienced more damage incidents (54.90%).

Positive

• None.

Negative

• High baggage damage rate of 49.28% across reported cases
• Significant delivery delays affecting 23.91% of cases
• Lost luggage rate of 8.70%
• 63.04% of baggage issues occurred on flights with stopovers

1. Decrease in damage complaints, stable lost luggage rates, and rising delivery delays.
2. Royal Air Maroc ranked worst airline, followed by Air France.
3. Four airports reported the highest number of issues.
4. Worst travel date: November 20.
5. 63% of problems occurred on flights with at least one stopover.

ROME--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Data from Nov. 12, 2024, to Jan. 12, 2025, reveal significant trends in baggage delays, losses, and damage. Here are the key findings:

1. Most Common Issues
The most frequently reported problem by passengers was baggage damage, accounting for 49.28% of cases. Delayed deliveries followed at 23.91%, while lost luggage made up 8.70% of complaints. Some passengers reported multiple combined issues, like both delay and damage, though these were under 4.35%.

2. Airlines with the Most Issues
The airlines with the highest baggage-related complaint rates were:

• Royal Air Maroc (8.70%)

• Air France (7.97%)

• Turkish Airlines (7.97%)

This suggests that some airlines may struggle with baggage handling, particularly during peak travel periods.

3. Airports with the Most Reports
The airports with the highest number of reported baggage issues were:

• Istanbul (IST)

• Paris (CDG)

• Praia (RAI)

• Abidjan (ABJ)

Each accounted for approximately 2% of all complaints.

4. Worst Travel Dates
The highest number of baggage-related complaints coincided with peak travel times. The worst travel day was November 20, 2024, with 5.07% of complaints—likely linked to early Thanksgiving travel in the U.S. Other problematic dates included December 15, December 23, and December 25, each recording 4.35% of complaints.

5. Trends in Connecting Flights
Analysis revealed that 63.04% of affected flights included at least one stopover, while only 36.96% were direct flights. This suggests a higher risk of baggage issues on connecting flights.

• Direct flights had a higher rate of damaged baggage (54.90%).

• Flights with stopovers experienced higher delays in delivery (24.14%) and lost luggage incidents (9.20%).

• Complex issues, such as a combination of delay and damage, were reported exclusively on flights with stopovers, indicating an increased risk during baggage transfers.

Conclusion
“The data clearly show that winter, especially the holiday season, is a critical period for baggage management. Travelers can reduce the risk of lost or delayed baggage by taking precautions such as clearly labeling their luggage and using Sostravel.com’s Lost Luggage Concierge tracking service, ensuring a smoother travel experience,” said Edoardo Zarghetta of Sostravel.com.

Sostravel.com Lost Luggage Index
Sostravel.com’s proprietary data highlight the routes, airlines, and airports with the highest or lowest probability of successful baggage recovery.

About Sostravel.com
Sostravel.com S.p.A. is a publicly traded traveler services company, listed in Milan (BIT:SOS) and New York (SOSAF). It operates the Sostravel and Flio apps and manages the platforms www.sostravel.com and www.amare.travel.

A digital tour operator and travel technology company, Sostravel.com develops proprietary digital travel solutions, including Lost Luggage Concierge for baggage protection and recovery, and Dr. Travel, a telemedicine service designed for travelers.

Over 1 million travelers worldwide have used Sostravel.com as a digital travel companion, finding travel deals and accessing information to enhance their trips.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250203626929/en/

Edoardo Zarghetta

+44 7795 106913

investor.relations@sostravel.com

www.sostravel.com

Source: Sostravel.com

FAQ

What were the worst airlines for baggage handling according to Sostravel.com's Winter 2024/2025 index?

According to the index, Royal Air Maroc had the highest rate of baggage issues (8.70%), followed by Air France and Turkish Airlines (both at 7.97%).

Which airports reported the most baggage problems in Winter 2024/2025?

The airports with the most baggage issues were Istanbul (IST), Paris (CDG), Praia (RAI), and Abidjan (ABJ), each accounting for approximately 2% of all complaints.

What was the worst date for baggage issues during Winter 2024/2025?

November 20, 2024, was the worst date, accounting for 5.07% of all baggage-related complaints, likely due to early Thanksgiving travel.

How did connecting flights affect baggage issues in Winter 2024/2025?

63.04% of baggage issues occurred on flights with at least one stopover, with these flights experiencing higher rates of delivery delays (24.14%) and lost luggage (9.20%) compared to direct flights.

What was the most common baggage issue reported in Winter 2024/2025?

Baggage damage was the most common issue, accounting for 49.28% of all reported cases.