Checked luggage is luggage that has been checked in for a flight by an airline or at a destination by the customer. It is typically stored at one of the airline’s baggage claim or cargo facilities, or it may be consigned to an agent at the destination who will deliver it to its final destination.

Benefits of Checked luggage

1. If a bag is lost, it will be easier for the passenger to file a claim with the airline.

This is because the luggage is kept with the airline until the passenger arrives, where a claim can be filed and all the documents necessary to support the claim are available.

2. If a bag is lost or damaged, it will be easier for the passenger to file a claim since it will be easily traceable due to its location at baggage claim or cargo facilities and through booking history.
3. If checked luggage is valueless, this relieves pressure on airlines to lose bags (resulting in higher operating costs), as there is no direct financial incentive for passengers to take extra risks.

Disadvantages of Checked luggage

1. The higher the number of checked bags, the more the likelihood of luggage being lost, damaged, or delayed.
2. As checked baggage is not under the passenger’s direct control, it makes it easier for a passenger to blame an airline for lost or damaged bags as easy identification is not possible.
3. The great majority of airlines bar or limit the number of bags travelers can check in. For example, United Airlines and some other airlines will not allow you to check more than two bags at one time.
4. Airlines face increased operational costs because they must pay to store and handle the checked baggage of each and every passenger who carries it on their flights. This is why most airlines do not charge for checking your bags online during booking.
5. The average airline charges an extra $50 for checked bags, so the cost difference between checked and carry-on bags cannot be viewed as a benefit given the higher number of lost and delayed bags from having more bags in transit (on both sides).