Four weeks ago we had a flight from Lissabon/Portugal via Munich to Hanover/Germany. One suitcase didnīt arrive in Hannover. Do you think thereīs still hope that they will find the suitcase? It is four weeks ago...Has anybody made experiencec like that?

On virtually every flight over the last 5 years the airline has lost at least one of our bags but it was never more than 3 days to get it back...I don't think you're going to see it again.

One of my collegues received her lost luggage (from Bangkok) after more than three weeks, and of course after having given up all hope of ever recovering the suitcase, which contained all of the purchases that her family made on their holiday. No problem with the suitcase full of dirty laundry, however.

I am not aware of any short trip requiring 4 weeks to locate a suitcase.

Were you bags barcoded? If they were you have a reasonable chance of getting them back, via the International Baggage Tracking system. In theory, no matter where your bag ends up someone just scans the barcode and sees where it was meant to be, then sends it on it's way.

This of course relys on the fact that:-

a) They weren't nicked deliberately.

b) You're not using some useless budget airline who do not avail themselves of IBT.

Bloody hell C- for my grammar and spelling in that last post!

The bigest issue is a bag were the tag comes off, there is quite a number of tagless bags that arrive at the problem bag racetrack in the main bag room at airports. The baggage handlers do not have a clue whos bag it is. We always clearly and permanetly mark the outside of our bags with our names and fit additional name tags. Another good idea is to enclose a cardboard label just inside your bag with your deatils on it.
At some airports using the High Speed Tote system, such as Madrid in Spain, the Siemens BHS destroys the bag and its content. So don't hold your breath.

Is the major problem because of connecting flights? Lesser chance of lost luggage if nonstop? What's everyone's experience?

Much less chance of luggage going astray on a direct flight.

Direct or not, I've had bags go missing in both cases. I've always received missing bags within 24 hours of arrival--they usually come in on the next flight.

Lisbon is notorious for losing luggage. Lost mine there in September.