More than one in five Australians have experienced lost luggage while flying, with most receiving no compensation from their airline and many left to cover unexpected expenses themselves, according to new research from Compare the Market.
The travel insurance comparison provider surveyed 1,000 Australian travellers and found 20.4 per cent had their luggage go missing during airline travel. Of those, almost seven per cent said their bags were never returned.
Delayed bags leave travellers out of pocket
While 18 per cent of affected travellers recovered their luggage within 24 hours, the majority (62 per cent) waited several days before their bags were returned. A further 13 per cent waited a week or longer.
The survey also found 78.5 per cent of travellers whose luggage went missing received no compensation from their airline. Those who did receive compensation reported a median payout of $400.
Despite the potential financial impact, most travellers did not make a claim through their travel insurance, while 17.1 per cent said they had no travel insurance cover.
Carry-on changes raise fresh questions
The research comes as airlines continue to adjust baggage policies, including Jetstar’s recently announced move to introduce a new size-based carry-on model from February 2027, with travellers able to purchase Priority Carry-on for access to overhead locker space.
Compare the Market said changes that encourage more checked baggage could increase the number of travellers exposed to delayed or lost luggage, particularly if families consolidate belongings into fewer checked bags.
The findings also highlight the importance of understanding airline compensation policies and travel insurance cover before departure, particularly as baggage disruptions continue to affect Australian travellers.
