It’s not the first time a plane has departed without its passengers’ bags. Globe Aware volunteers can learn about how this may impact them on future flights when planning to travel.

Plane takes off with passengers but not a single checked bag on board

Maureen O’Hare
CNN
September 16, 2023

A Swiss International Air Lines plane took off from Zurich without any luggage on board.

AWOL at the airport

A Swiss International Air Lines plane took off from Zurich this past weekend filled with passengers but without a single checked suitcase on board because of a lack of ground staff. After an initial delay, Flight WK226, operated by SWISS on behalf of Edelweiss Air, set off for Bilbao on Saturday without checked baggage so the plane would be able to make its return flight to Zurich before the night-time flight ban kicked in.

“It was possible to deliver most of the luggage to Bilbao the following day,” a SWISS spokesperson told CNN, while the rest arrived on Monday. He added, “We deeply understand the frustration and anger of the passengers” and “are currently reviewing our processes.”

Air traffic controller shortages also continue to be a problem globally: US airline execs are warning that years of flight disruption lie ahead.

In happier news, a Delta passenger’s dog that went missing at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International, the world’s busiest airport, has been found safe after three weeks.

And Japan Airlines has started a yearlong trial of a service that lets you rent a set of clothes and receive it at your hotel on arrival, which could be handy if your bags go on tour without you.