I'm a travel expert - this is the mistake you're making that's causing your luggage to get lost

With the peak holiday season slowly coming to an end, millions of Brits are preparing to fly from the nation's busiest airports to lap up the sunshine before the cold weather in. 

But while holidaymakers expect their suitcases to land with them, the reality is that millions of bags are mishandled each year, according to SITA's Baggage IT Insights report. 

In 2024, a whopping 26 million bags were mishandled at airports across the globe - and the issue is so prevalent that one fed-up passenger created the website Luggage Losers to show the worst offenders in real time. 

In light of this, travel experts have highlighted the biggest packing mistakes that can lead to lost luggage.

A common error travellers make when travelling in a group is packing all of their belongings into their own personal bag. 

However, Hadleigh Diamond, Commercial Director at SCS Chauffeurs, suggests packing a range of each person's items and essentials across multiple bags or suitcases - a method known as Pack and Mix. 

He explains: 'If that case goes missing, you’re instantly stranded without basics like medication, chargers, or a change of clothes. 

'For families, this can mean buying overpriced replacements at the airport, or worse, facing days of stress until bags are reunited. Splitting essentials across cases is a straightforward safeguard that softens the blow if something goes wrong.'

He also highlights a further five packing mistakes that can add stress - including packing medication, valuables or chargers in one suitcase.

Instead, the expert urges travellers to split these items across various pieces of luggage are keep them stored in carry-on bags. 

Holidaymakers should also label luggage - inside and out - with clear contact details, and place in suitcases lightweight trackers, such as Apple AirTags, linked to smartphone apps to help speed up reunions in the event baggage is mishandled. 

Diamond advises booking direct flights 'where possible' and to avoid transfers, as bags are more likely to go missing on connecting flights. 

Finally, he recommends keeping passports, important documents and a spare change of clothes in hand luggage. 

Diamond adds: 'This isn't about over-packing. It's about risk management. When you’re travelling with children, or even on a short city break, knowing your group has a spread of essentials makes you resilient against baggage mishaps.'

It comes as experts from Hoppa, a transport comparison and booking site, are advising holidaymakers on what they should do if they find themselves without their luggage.

‘Losing luggage is always stressful, but not knowing what to do makes the situation even worse,’ says Chris Harrington, Hoppa’s managing director.

‘Ultimately, the faster and more informed your response, the better chances of recovering your bag or receiving updates on its status.

‘The process isn’t as complicated as one might think, but there are important steps you need to follow.’

In the event you can’t locate your luggage, the thing to do immediately is to report it.

Head straight for your airline’s luggage service desk, which is usually found near the baggage claim area.

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