I have just returned to Australia from my latest trip to Europe: This trip entails a flight of about 7-9 hours to an Asian transit point (Singapore, Hong Kong, Bangkok etc), where a change of plane occurs for the remaining 11-13 hour flight to a European destination (usually Frankfurt but sometimes Paris). I have flown Singapore Airlines (my preference), Cathay, Thai and Qantas. I guess I have made about twenty such return trips, and my checked luggage has ALWAYS arrived with me, and been available for collection from the carousel. I seem to read often on this branch sad stories about lost/misplaced/late luggage. Am I the only reasonably regular traveller who has NEVER lost any luggage, or is my experience really commonplace?

Losing bags can sometimes be devastating - though it's often blown out of all proportion by people who just like whingeing. So it's not surprising that the 0.1%, or 1% or 10% of journeys resulting in delayed bags get complained about more than their statistical incidence would justify.

I've never had a bag go missing when transitting through Singapore - and never met anyone who has. Nor ever had a bag destined to or from HK, Bangkok or KL go wrong.

But a VERY high proportion of transits through Amsterdam (say a quarter) have resulted in bags arriving a day or so later. Ditto, when the facility existed, for bags checked in at Victoria for Gatwick departures. But, although at one stage we became close chums with the BA courier who was delivering delayed bags to our house about once a month, neither Ms F nor I have ever lost a bag.

And, with one ghastly exception when Britannia messed up a bag of ski clothes, I've never been seriously inconvenienced. Or (again, excepting Britannia) had an airline reacting with anything other than courtesy and help.

Hi,

My husband and I have made 13 trips to/from the U.S. east coast to various parts of Europe over the course of the past 20 years. Our checked luggage has always arrived with us. Many of these trips were made as part of a local group tour, planned by a close friend of ours, with as many as 30+ traveling companions. None of their luggage has been lost either! We have flown on a variety of international & regional airlines (BA, Air France, Alitalia, Continental, Lufthansa, Spanair, Olympic, etc.).

The only time luggage was delayed was on a trip to Ireland. On that occasion, some of our traveling companions' luggage did not make it onto a connecting flight from Heathrow to Shannon. It arrived at the hotel by the following morning.

My luggage has failed to arrive twice now

1st time was on a short transfer at Heathrow, but my luggage actually beat me home because I wasn't flying to the airport nearest my home (saving £100) whereas my luggage did,

2nd time was at Madrid 2 days after 8/8 when a 2 hour transfer slot became 15 minutes due to the chaos at Heathrow on the outward leg.

That time I was left with the clothes I was wearing, money, passport & air ticket - nothing else - VERY inconvenienced

I have flown to a lot of places and have never lost a bag either. I hope I'm not tempting fate by saying that....

On the other hand, a cousin of mine who lives in Australia always manages to lose hers. The last three trips she took (to the US, India and China), her bags didn't arrive with her. I guess its just luck.