Most bags travel and arrive with owners as planned. Actually things have improved a lot since ten years: baggage mishandling was reduced from 18.88 bags per 1000 passengers to 5.57 between 2007 and 2017!

Baggage rules are set by airlines and IATA plays no role in this activity. These rules can vary according to your frequent flyer status, the product you have purchased and the route upon which you fly, so please always check the rules that will apply to your trip with the airline directly.

You will find below a list of frequently asked questions about baggage.

Frequently Asked Questions

No. All lithium-powered devices and spare batteries must only be carried in your hand baggage. If your hand luggage is taken at the gate to be placed in the aircraft hold, remove all lithium devices and batteries first.

Learn and share all you need to know about how to safely travel with lithium battery-powered devices.

More governments are adopting the guidelines from the International Civil Aviation Organization, the UN's aviation standard-setting body.
The current restrictions for liquids, aerosols and gels are that they must be in containers 100ml or equivalent, placed in a transparent resealable plastic bag with max capacity of 1-litre. In principle, restrictions do not apply to medications, baby foods, special dietary requirements, but consult your local airport to be sure.

First, you report it to the baggage claims department on arrival at your final destination. There you will provide information to the airline to help them track down your baggage. Most airlines use one of the major global baggage tracing systems. All missing baggage information is filed on this system and matched to bags recorded at airports around the world. Once a match is found, the baggage is returned to its owner. The vast majority of mishandled luggage is returned to the passenger within 48 hours.

To claim a compensation, you should report your lost, delayed or damaged bag immediately at your arrival, to the baggage claims department and write to the airline within seven days after your declaration.
You will find more information about compensation in the Passenger Rights FAQs.

Rules for luggage weight and size can vary depending on the airline, cabin class, and even aircraft size. See our recommendations on passenger baggage rules as to what needs to be packed where - cabin luggage or checked luggage, but do check with your airline for specific instructions.

Smart bags that use lithium batteries for GPS, charging, or motorized wheels are allowed only if the battery can be removed.

  • If removable: take the battery out and carry it in your hand luggage.
  • If non-removable: the bag may not be accepted as checked or cabin baggage, depending on the airline.

Always confirm with your airline before traveling.

Did you know?

Airlines carry over 4 billion bags annually, with 99.57% arriving on time. To improve even further, bags will be tracked at four key points, helping ensure faster reunions in the rare cases of delays.

Learn more