Last Updated: August 20, 2023
How Long Does Baggage Claim Take? (Why The Delay?)
Are you standing in baggage claim and wondering how long baggage claim takes?
I can’t even count the number of times I have waited for my luggage to arrive on a belt, wondering what is going on behind the flaps.
Handling baggage is actually a very complex task and there are a whole range of reasons why baggage claim takes as long as it does.
Let’s take a look at some of those reasons…
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Airport Size
In huge airports like London, Paris, Atlanta, Los Angeles and New York, the baggage handling system is far more complex, with longer conveyor belts, more turns and switch points, and potentially more stops for security checks. This means there is more potential for luggage delays and you standing there waiting for even longer!
For example, if your flight arrives far from the main terminal and baggage claim area, it will naturally take longer for your baggage to arrive. Sometimes when I am in Zurich, which admittedly is not huge, the baggage has to come a very long way if I fly internationally. I notice the difference in time until my luggage arrives!
Airport Efficiency
Modern airports have invested in state-of-the-art baggage handling systems that use automation, barcodes, and RFID tracking, which can seriously speed up the delivery of your luggage. But, the airport that you are standing at right now might not have that kind of system. It depends on when they last upgraded!
And the older the baggage handling system they have, the more likely it is to have problems and for you to be standing there waiting.
Baggage Claim Luggage
Staff Shortages
It might be fast to move the baggage through the airport once it is on the belt, but most of it still has to be manually loaded on and off the plane. So, the number of ground staff dedicated to unloading baggage from the aircraft is a huge bottleneck. And there is a severe shortage of baggage handlers in the world at the moment.
And with all of the staff shortages that have followed the pandemic, things have gotten a lot slower everywhere. So, if your luggage is not yet unloaded or there are delays in shuttling it to the belts, delivery of baggage seriously slows down. And right now, there is not much we can do about that.
Flight Origin
As strange as it might seem, the origin of your flight can make a difference in how fast your luggage arrives in baggage claim.
Depending on where you flew in from your baggage might need to be inspected or checked by customs officials. Of course, this adds additional delays to the time it takes to get to baggage claim. There might be specific screening for things like drugs or food that are prohibited in your country and are more likely to come from a specific destination.
Time of Day
During peak travel times a lot of flights might land around the same time, causing congestion in the baggage handling system. So, if you notice a lot of people standing around at different belts in baggage claim, that might be the reason you are waiting so long.
Shift change could also be causing a similar problem. Just like when you finish work at 5 pm on the dot, baggage handlers have specific shifts at the airport and they have to change personnel when the shift changes. As smooth as they try to make this, there will always be hiccups when staff members change shifts!
Human Error & Lost Luggage
Let’s face it, we all make mistakes and baggage handlers are no different. This might seem like a dumb statement but the summer of 2022 could have been called the summer of lost luggage. Airlines reported more than double the rate of lost luggage last year.
Much of this happened in Europe in 2022, but one of the other issues was missing connecting flights. Maybe not you, but your luggage.
So, one of the reasons your luggage is late could be that it is not going to arrive at all.
Weather Issues
One of the last reasons your baggage might be delayed is the weather. Remember the baggage handlers have to work outside. And if there is a lightning storm, some airports have safety protocols in place that shut down operations.
This is not always the case, and often such a shutdown does not last for long, but it could still delay the unloading of your luggage.
Avoid Baggage Delays – Tips for Travelers
- Baggage Tracking: Some modern airlines offer apps that provide real-time tracking of your checked baggage.
- Install A Luggage Tracker: I have used a luggage tracker for years and it lets you know approximately where it is.
- Carry Essentials: Always keep essentials and valuables in your carry-on, in case of extended baggage claim waits or lost luggage.
- Lost Baggage: If you believe your baggage is lost, report it immediately. Most airlines have a baggage claim office located near the carousel.
About the Author Anna Timbrook
Anna is the co-owner of expert world travel and can't wait to share her travel experience with the world. With over 54 countries under her belt she has a lot to write about! Including those insane encounters with black bears in Canada.
