Lost Luggage: What to Do, How to Avoid It, and What the Future Holds

Losing your checked-in luggage can ruin a trip — and unfortunately, it happens more often than you’d think. According to aviation data provider SITA, a bag is lost or delayed every second globally, with over 36 million mishandled bags in 2023 alone.

In this guide, we cover:

What to do if your baggage is lost

How to claim lost baggage compensation

Tips to avoid losing luggage in the first place

Airline vs. budget carrier baggage handling

Future-proof solutions for smarter luggage tracking

📌 Step 1: My Luggage Didn’t Arrive. What Should I Do?
If your suitcase is missing at the airport baggage carousel, take immediate action:

📝 Report It Immediately
Visit the airline’s baggage services desk near the baggage claim. Ask to file a Property Irregularity Report (PIR). You’ll need to:

Describe the missing bag (size, brand, color)

Provide your flight details

Share your contact information

🌐 No Staff at the Desk?
Go online. Most airlines have a lost baggage reporting portal. Submit your PIR within 7 days to ensure compensation eligibility.

🔎 Track with a PIR Reference Code
After filing, you’ll receive a code like JFKBA12345.

JFK = New York airport

BA = British Airways
Use this to check the status of your missing bag online.

✅ Will I Get My Lost Luggage Back?
Yes, in most cases. Airlines report high recovery rates. For example:

easyJet states over 90% of delayed bags are found within 5 days.

Airlines usually deliver the bag for free to your hotel (if outbound) or home (if returning).

📌 Note: You may need to fill out a customs declaration before your luggage is delivered.

🧼 No Luggage? Here’s What to Do for Clothes & Toiletries
If you’re without essentials:

Buy basic toiletries and clothes

Keep itemized receipts

Avoid luxury purchases unless justified (e.g. a business suit for an interview)

💡 Tip: Some airlines, like Lufthansa, only reimburse 50% of clothing costs.

⌛ What If the Bag Never Turns Up?
If your baggage is still missing after 21 days, it’s considered permanently lost.

💰 Claim Compensation Under the Montreal Convention
Maximum claim: 1,519 Special Drawing Rights (SDR) = approx £1,533 / $1,900

Provide receipts to prove item value

For expensive items, ensure you have travel insurance coverage

🛫 Are Budget Airlines More Likely to Lose Your Bag?
Not really. In fact, budget airlines like Ryanair or Wizz Air:

Run point-to-point flights (fewer chances for transfer errors)

Use smaller, less congested airports

Prioritize keeping luggage and passengers together to avoid delivery costs

🔄 What If Another Passenger Took My Bag by Mistake?
Cases of baggage mix-ups happen often. Here’s how to avoid it:

✅ Mark your luggage with:

A bright ribbon or tag

Custom stickers or luggage covers

If someone took your bag by mistake, airline staff can usually trace it using the tag — but intentional theft is harder to resolve.

🛡️ How to Avoid Losing Your Luggage in the First Place
1. Don’t Check in Your Bag
Carry-on is safest. Some airlines (like British Airways) allow up to 23kg x 2 as cabin luggage.

2. Fly Direct
Bags are more likely to be lost at hub airports like:

Heathrow (LHR)

Frankfurt (FRA)

Istanbul (IST)
Avoid connecting flights when possible.

3. Label the Inside of Your Bag
Place a large sheet of paper inside your suitcase with:

Your name

Mobile number

Email

Destination address

This helps identify the owner even if external tags fall off.

4. Use Smart Luggage Trackers
Devices like Apple AirTag or Tile help locate your bag via GPS.

Note: While useful, passengers often can’t access secure luggage areas, even if they know where the bag is.

🚀 Is the Future of Baggage Handling Getting Smarter?
Yes — and it needs to. According to Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai International Airport:

“Why are we still using paper luggage tags in the 21st century? Every bag should have a unique QR code and digital ID, like a car’s VIN number.”

By embedding scannable IDs into suitcases, airports could track and route bags without the risk of torn or lost labels — reducing mishandling dramatically.

🎯 Final Tips: How to Travel Smarter with Your Luggage
Always carry essentials like medication, chargers, documents in your cabin bag

Use distinctive luggage tags or covers

Consider travel insurance that covers lost or delayed baggage

For expensive travel, opt for direct flights to minimize transfer errors

🧭 Summary: Lost Baggage FAQs

What to do if luggage is lost?
File a PIR with the airline immediately (in-person or online)
How long before it’s considered lost?
21 days
What is the compensation amount?
Up to 1,519 SDR (~£1,533 / ~$1,900)
Can you buy items if bags are delayed?
Yes, but keep receipts and buy only essentials
Are low-cost airlines worse for bags?
No — they’re often better due to fewer transfers

✈️ Need Help With Airline Baggage Claims?
If you’re dealing with a lost or delayed bag, we can help guide you through the process. Let us know your airline and airport — and we’ll point you to the right support channels.