What Happens to Lost Airport Luggage? YouTuber WillNE Buys 100 Unclaimed Suitcases to Find Out

Ever wondered what really happens to lost airport luggage? That suitcase that never shows up at baggage claim—where does it go? YouTuber WillNE decided to stop wondering and start investigating. His mission: buy 100 unclaimed airport suitcases online and try to track down their original owners. What followed was a wild, six-month social experiment full of strange discoveries, awkward encounters, and a surprising look into the world of unclaimed baggage.

WillNE purchased mystery suitcases from online resellers that source their stock from airport lost and found auctions. Most airports don’t hold onto unclaimed bags for long—typically, if a suitcase isn’t claimed within 60 to 90 days, it’s sent to auction houses. There, it gets sold to the highest bidder, often without any information about its origin.

The first few bags WillNE opened were uninspiring. Worn clothes, expired gift cards, and random household items filled the interiors. One bag even contained a hospital baby scale, which he returned to Hammersmith Hospital in London—one of the few early success stories. But soon, the project took a bizarre turn.

In one case, he drove over 11 hours to return a suitcase, only to find the woman didn’t want it back. Another return attempt turned uncomfortable when a neighbor reported him to the local crime watch page, describing him as “proper creepy” after seeing him knock on doors with a camera in hand.

Despite the setbacks, there were moments of success. A stolen Oxford Diplomatic Society item was returned after sitting in limbo for months. One suitcase lost on a flight to Tobago two years ago was reunited with its owner—just in time for her next vacation. Inside were untouched summer dresses and sneakers she hadn’t seen since.

As Will dug deeper into the contents of the bags, he began to question the entire lost luggage resale process. Some suitcases contained electronics like iPhones and iPads with auction house tags, making him wonder if certain bags were being “staged” to keep resellers interested.

So, what really happens to your lost suitcase at the airport?

If it isn’t claimed within the standard window, it’s sent to airport baggage auctions, where buyers like WillNE take a chance on what’s inside. Most of the time, the results are disappointing, with few valuable finds and a lot of unanswered questions.

WillNE’s experience shows that buying unclaimed airport luggage is a gamble. After six months and 100 suitcases, the valuable reunions were rare—and the awkward social encounters constant.

His biggest takeaway? Always tag your bag. Because once it goes missing, there’s a high chance you’ll never see it again.

Curious to see what’s inside real lost luggage? Watch WillNE’s full video on YouTube and follow his journey through the unpredictable world of lost airport bags.