No passenger wants to be the one waiting at the baggage carousel when it slowly comes to a halt — without their bag on it. But in 2025, over 2.4 million air travelers had checked bags that were lost, delayed, or damaged on domestic flights in the U.S., according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS). While that number represents a small share of the 471 million bags that were checked domestically throughout the year, it’s still a good idea to arm yourself with knowledge the next time you’re booking a flight. To aid in that endeavor, we’ve dug into the data to find out which airlines lose the most — and least — bags.

10. Allegiant Air

Number of bags mishandled per 100 enplaned: 0.09

Of the 10 major U.S. airlines in the report, budget carrier Allegiant Air had the lowest rate of mishandled baggage in 2025. While the carrier is known for its no-frills experience (and low fares), Allegiant proved to be a safe bet in at least one area: checked bags.

9. JetBlue Airways

Number of bags mishandled per 100 enplaned: 0.31

The second-best U.S. airline for checked bags in 2025 was New York City-based JetBlue Airways. The airline mishandled about 43,000 of the 13.7 million bags it checked in last year. Unfortunately, JetBlue didn’t perform quite as well when it came to on-time performance, ranking seventh among U.S. airlines, with over a quarter of flights arriving behind schedule.

8. Southwest Airlines

Number of bags mishandled per 100 enplaned: 0.38

Southwest was long known for its generous checked bag policy, in which every customer received two bags free of charge, but the airline last year started charging for checked bags for the first time. And despite bags already getting more expensive this year, at least Southwest managed to deliver the vast majority of them on time.

7. Frontier Airlines

Number of bags mishandled per 100 enplaned: 0.41

You’ll probably want to pack light if you’re traveling on Frontier Airlines, since the low-cost carrier charges for both checked and carry-on luggage that doesn’t fit underneath the seat in front of you. If you do have to check a bag, however, at least there’s a fair chance of it arriving on time at the carousel — Frontier had the fourth-best ranking for checked baggage performance among U.S. airlines. 

5. Delta Air Lines (tie)

Number of bags mishandled per 100 enplaned: 0.43

Delta ranked No. 1 when it came to on-time performance among U.S. airlines in 2025, but the airline (and its branded codeshare partners flying under the Delta Connection brand) ranked in the middle of the pack for baggage handling. However, like on many airlines these days, you can at least keep track of your bags via the Fly Delta app, which provides real-time tracking updates.

Delta is also one of the only airlines to offer a baggage guarantee: If your bag doesn’t land on the carousel 20 minutes after your domestic flight parks at the gate, you can submit an online form to receive 2,500 bonus Skymiles. (You must do so no later than two hours after your flight’s arrival.)

5. Spirit Airlines (tie)

Number of bags mishandled per 100 enplaned: 0.43

Spirit tied with Delta in the 2025 baggage rankings. Like Frontier, Spirit is known for its a la carte pricing model, charging for everything from carry-on and checked bags to a bottle of water on the plane or even a printed boarding pass at the airport. However, if you pay for bags before you arrive at the airport, you can save some on baggage fees. 

4. Alaska Airlines

Number of bags mishandled per 100 enplaned: 0.52

Alaska Airlines ranked in the bottom half of U.S. airlines for its baggage handling, but the airline has offered a 20-minute on-time guarantee (similar to Delta’s) since 2010. If your checked bags on Alaska don’t arrive on the carousel within 20 minutes of your flight’s arrival, you’ll receive a $25 discount code or 2,500 bonus miles for the inconvenience.  

3. Hawaiian Airlines

Number of bags mishandled per 100 enplaned: 0.54

Nearly 35,000 Hawaiian Airlines customers faced delayed, lost, or damaged bags in 2025, but if it’s any consolation, the chances of arriving in paradise without your bag are still low — that number represented about half a percent of the 6.3 million bags that were checked on the airline for the full year.

2. American Airlines

Number of bags mishandled per 100 enplaned: 0.66

American Airlines emplaned more bags domestically than any other airline in the report — over 110 million — but mishandled more than 720,000 of them, ranking as the second-worst airline for lost and delayed bags in 2025. At the very least, be sure to toss an Apple AirTag or similar Bluetooth tracker in your bag before you head on your trip, so you can always keep an eye on its progress throughout your journey. 

1. United Airlines

Number of bags mishandled per 100 enplaned: 0.72

Wondering which airline has the highest chance of losing or misplacing your checked luggage? According to the BTS data, the answer is United Airlines. Because United is one of the largest carriers in the U.S., that translated to quite a few lost bags throughout the year — over 550,000 bags on United and its regional codeshare partners operating under the United Express brand were late, lost, or damaged. 

About the data: To compile this list, we consulted the Air Travel Consumer Report from the U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) for data from January to December 2025. The numbers of mishandled bags reported above represent checked bags that were lost, damaged, delayed, or pilfered for domestic nonstop scheduled passenger flights.

From basic economy to premium economy and airline-specific classes like Delta One and United Polaris, airline terminology can be confusing. Sometimes, what’s called “first class” is actually a lesser experience than what you’d find in “business class” on a longer flight. Confused yet? If you’re looking to splurge on your next flight, here’s a primer on the key differences between first and business class on airlines around the world. 

Domestic and Short-Haul Flights

On domestic flights, most U.S. airlines offer two cabins of service: first class and economy class (often called “main cabin”). Within the main cabin, you may also be able to purchase a preferred or extra-legroom seat, but you’ll still receive economy-class service. 

First class, on the other hand, is a noticeable step up in terms of amenities and service. Expect wider, plusher seats at the front of the plane, a few extra inches of legroom, and personalized service from a dedicated flight attendant. Snacks and drinks (including alcohol) are served free, and hot meals are offered on longer flights. Booking a first-class ticket also comes with extra perks such as priority boarding, free checked bags, and extra frequent flyer miles — though, notably, usually not airport lounge access when flying domestically. 

In most other parts of the world, airlines that operate with a similar two-cabin model for short-haul flights market the forward cabin as “business class” instead of “first class.” Essentially, short-haul and domestic business class abroad is similar to the product U.S. airlines offer, only with a different name.

Europe is an interesting case. When flying intra-Europe in business class, you won’t find much (if any) difference in the seats or legroom. This is because most European airlines outfit the entire airplane with standard economy-class seats, but they will block off the middle seat for business class passengers at the front of the cabin to provide extra space. This allows airlines to easily adjust the size of the business-class cabin based on demand.

International Flights

Now that we’ve covered short-haul flights, let’s talk about long-haul international flights. On these routes, as well as for a select number of longer premium domestic markets such as the New York-to-Los Angeles route, business class is, somewhat confusingly, a much better product than what you’ll find in first class when flying domestically in the United States.

Instead of recliner seats, you’ll find ones that convert into fully flat beds (often with privacy doors) along with lounge access and other premium perks. But it might not be called “business class”: On United, business class is named “Polaris,” while on Delta, it’s “Delta One.” 

To make matters more confusing, Polaris, for example, is available on wide-body aircraft serving long-haul international destinations. But on narrow-body flights serving short-haul international destinations between the U.S. and Latin America, United sells business class instead. This is the same cabin that is usually sold as first class on domestic flights, found on aircraft such as the Boeing 737. American Airlines takes a similar approach.

Long-Haul First Class

On some airlines’ long-haul planes, there’s a first class cabin in addition to business class. Even though it’s called first class, it’s very different from, say, first class on an American Boeing 737. 

In a bid to woo business and premium travelers, the world’s top global airlines have invested millions of dollars in their first-class products. In early 2025, Air France introduced its overhauled “La Premiere” first-class cabin. If you can get past the sticker shock — expect to pay up to $10,000 for a one-way flight — you’ll find an intimate cabin with just four suites, seats that convert into generously sized beds, and even floor-to-ceiling curtains to guarantee privacy.

Before you even step on board, a dedicated agent will escort you through security to an exclusive first-class lounge with gourmet meals and spa treatments. In Paris, a private chauffeur will whisk you from the lounge directly to your plane, so you can skip the boarding line altogether. Once the plane takes off, you’ll be treated to gourmet multicourse meals designed by celebrity chefs and as much Champagne — or anything else you’d like — as you can drink.

Other international airlines — from Lufthansa in Germany to ANA and Japan Airlines in Japan, Singapore Airlines, and Emirates — offer similar or even more exclusive experiences. On these airlines, first class is a step above their business class offering and the highest level of service you can receive. And it’s the most expensive to book, often costing two to three times as much as business class on the same flight.

One part of the world where you generally won’t find long-haul first class is the United States. Neither Delta nor United offers a first-class cabin. The lone exception is American, but that won’t be the case for much longer — the airline has announced plans to phase out long-haul first class, which is only available on a handful of aircraft. 

Instead, U.S. airlines have invested in making their business class — Polaris or Delta One, for example — better than ever before. While it’s fair to consider their products a hybrid of “true” first and traditional business class, the primary difference is that the cabins are often much larger. On some United planes, for example, there are 60 Polaris seats — compared with just four La Premiere seats on an Air France flight.

What About Premium Economy?

In 1992, Taiwan-based Eva Air was the first airline to introduce premium economy, and in recent years this new cabin has become increasingly popular. Remember the old business-class recliners in the 1970s and 1980s? As airlines upgraded their business-class products to flat-bed seats, it left a gap in the market for premium travelers who couldn’t quite justify splurging for a business-class ticket. Enter: premium economy.

Seats in premium economy are similar (and, in many cases, exactly the same) as those that U.S. airlines use for domestic first class. Essentially, they’re a few inches wider, recline a little more, and boast a few inches of extra legroom. Service levels fall somewhere between business class and economy class — with a smaller cabin, you’ll have more dedicated service and perhaps drinks in real glassware, but it won’t be quite to the same level as you’d find in business or first class. 

If you’re a seasoned cruiser who’s already explored numerous Caribbean ports or the glacial waters of Alaska, you may be looking for your next adventure. And if you’ve been dreaming of wandering cobblestone streets past castles in Prague or sipping reds at family-run vineyards in Bordeaux, a European river cruise could be the answer. Don’t know where to start? Here are some helpful tips for planning your first river cruise adventure across Europe. 

Narrow Down Your Interests (and Budget)

First things first: No two European river cruises are alike. Major waterways across the continent include the Seine, Danube, Elbe, Garonne, Loire, Main, Tagus, Douro, Oder, Po, Rhine, Moselle, Saône, and Rhône. And there are multiple options of river cruises available on each, ranging from major lines such as Viking, Avalon, and AmaWaterways to smaller vessels chartered by Tauck, Uniworld, and CroisiEurope.

That’s why we recommend you start by determining what type of vacation you’re looking for. For example, if you prefer to spend a lot of time appreciating architectural landmarks, taking walking tours, shopping at local markets, or museum hopping, a river cruise on a major line with longer stops in historic European cities such as Budapest, Paris, Prague, or Vienna, could be a solid choice. Alternatively, if you prefer to spend more time on the water appreciating the mountains, rolling vineyards, and quaint villages from a distance as you dine, a smaller ship with luxury amenities like spa services and meals prepared by a chef on board may be more your speed. 

Figuring out how much sightseeing you want to do and what kind of sightseeing is also essential when planning a European cruise. If this is your second or third time to Europe, you may be more interested in lesser-known villages in underrated countries. A river cruise on the Oder through Poland, Czechia, and Germany, for example, or on the Douro through Portugal and Spain, may be more riveting if you’ve already floated on the Seine past the Eiffel Tower in Paris. 

If you’re a history buff, you may enjoy a river cruise on the Elbe through Germany and Czechia, past Prague, Berlin, Hamburg, and Dresden. Wine lovers will appreciate a cruise along the Saône and Rhône rivers from Burgundy to Provence in France, while those looking to unwind in unparalleled natural landscapes will be mesmerized by the beauty of the Swiss Alps along the Rhine River.

Leave Yourself a Buffer

European river cruises typically range from five days to two weeks, but some adventures on the water can be even longer, depending on how many countries you plan to visit. Allowing yourself a minimum of three extra days (beyond your cruise itinerary) will give you enough time to arrive in your embarkation port city and adjust to the climate and time zone, as well as a day or two to catch your flight home if there is a delay. 

You should never book your flight to land the day of or before you embark, or to fly out the day of or after you disembark — flights can often get delayed or canceled and you don’t want to miss your cruise (or your flight home). 

Additionally, you’ll want to book as early as possible. Even if you are planning for a shorter voyage, booking your cruise seven to eight months in advance is advised, as popular routes can fill up fast and booking early may help you secure better pricing. 

Consider Seasonality

If you’re still unsure of which cruise to choose, selecting a voyage is easier if you consider what time of year you plan to set sail. For example, during the holiday season, you could take a Danube River cruise from Budapest to Regensburg, Germany, or a cruise on the Main and Moselle rivers from Paris to Prague to see the magical Christmas markets. 

A European river cruise in warmer months would be better suited to, say, a Danube River cruise from Bucharest to Budapest through Romania, Bulgaria, Serbia, Croatia, and Hungary for swimming and exploring villages in the summer. Or you might set sail on the Rhine River from Amsterdam to Antwerp through the Netherlands, Germany, and Belgium to see the flower fields come alive in spring. 

Find Out the Ship Size

Researching the various cruise lines ahead of time will ensure there are no unexpected surprises when it comes time to sail. Be sure to read reviews, ask specific questions, and comb through photos of cabins offered. If you have dietary restrictions or limited mobility, you will want to choose a line that will accommodate your needs and recommend the right activities and restaurants on land. 

An important consideration is the size of the ship. If you prefer to have more access to amenities on board, a major cruise line may be more comfortable than a smaller yacht, but if you’re looking for more one-on-one time with guides, a smaller vessel will ensure everyone in the group gets prioritized. 

Be Aware of Water Levels

Depending on the season you book, low water or high water levels due to droughts or flooding can prevent ships from navigating various sections of the river, passing under bridges, or safely docking at various ports. Most lines have a backup plan just in case, offering bus tours, ship swaps, or itinerary adjustments, but it’s always a good idea to be mindful of river conditions. 

Notably, the Elbe and Rhine rivers are prone to low water levels in the summer due to heat waves, while the Rhône and Seine rivers often experience high water levels from heavy rainfall in the fall. And the Danube and Rhine rivers typically rise in the spring due to snowmelt from the Alps.

Look into Local Transportation

Before you dock in a major city or make plans to see a specific attraction across town, make sure you research public transportation in your ports ahead of time. For instance, you don’t want to arrive in Paris and spend precious time trying to figure out the Metro, or realize you’re short on change and need to take a long bus to navigate the tight roads around the canals in Venice. 

Typically, the most authentic experiences won’t be in the neighborhood where your ship docks, so consider hopping on a subway, tram, bus, or bike in order to explore. If you are still unsure of how to navigate the city, ask cruise line personnel for assistance; they may offer guided tours or arrange transportation for you. 

Consider Travel Insurance

Lastly, make sure you’re prepared in the event of an emergency. Flight changes or cancellations as well as medical emergencies can happen. Consider purchasing a travel insurance plan so you don’t lose money if your cruise plans don’t work out. If you need to abandon ship (literally), you can rest easy knowing that you’re covered and have the option to get home safely.