How long does it take to locate lost luggage?

Even though the chances of your luggage being lost or delayed are less than one percent, it happens to people every day. It could certainly happen to you.

Two years ago, Thomas's suitcase was delayed during a two-week trip to Thailand. Luckily, it happened on the way back. His suitcase was finally returned within three days, along with everything inside. Even though he was lucky, losing your belongings and finding them again is always frustrating.

At the time, we hadn't found a good guide on lost luggage, so we decided to do some research ourselves.

Questions like: How long does it take to recover lost luggage? How do you get reimbursed if you can't? And many more.

Below is a complete guide to what we've compiled 😉

How long does it take to find lost luggage?

According to a study by the Association of European Airlines, approximately 85 % lost luggage is found and delivered within two days. However, this figure has decreased over the years.

Today it is more close to 36 hours. So it is very likely that you will receive your luggage within a day or two.

In 47 % cases, the loss of luggage is due to poor handlingSometimes, when you're flying with connections and the layover is 90 minutes or less, you arrive on time, but your luggage doesn't. If you file your claim quickly and your bag is found immediately, you can receive your claim in just a few hours.

In other cases, the suitcase is found after a few days or even weeks. There are many potential reasons why the wait time is so long. For example, the tags may have come off, the luggage may have been sent to the wrong country, or even stolen by someone at the airport.

But don't worry. Only 7 % of the total baggage loss claims result in the total loss of the baggage. If this is the case, the suitcase is only considered lost after 14 or 21 days, depending on your airline.

What to do if your luggage is lost?

To increase your chances of finding your suitcase, here's what you need to do:

If you can't find your luggage on the conveyor belt upon arrival, go immediately to the baggage claim or baggage handling desk. It should be located somewhere near the baggage hall; just ask the staff nearby.

Make sure you do this before leaving the baggage room.

When you're at the counter, try to be understanding. Staff deal with this kind of situation all the time, and being irritating will only make things worse.

Complete the lost baggage report, describing the contents of the lost baggage and all its characteristics.

Try to describe your case as best as possible, as this significantly increases the chances of finding your luggage. If the travel tags have been torn off, the only way to identify your suitcase is to know its characteristics and contents. Fortunately, airport systems are quite advanced these days. All found luggage is immediately placed in a database. Their software then sorts through the database and locates your suitcase based on its description.

You'll likely receive instructions on how to check the status of your baggage online. Make sure you get the number of the responsible department so you can contact someone later if there's no news.

What to do if your baggage is delayed?

In this situation, the first step is to obtain confirmation. As in the case of lost luggage, we recommend that you inquire at the baggage/claims office baggage or, if you can't find it, go to the nearest assistance desk for further assistance. You should be able to retrieve a Property Irregularity Report (PIR) confirming the baggage delay. Don't forget it!

A PIR can be essential if you want to claim compensation.

In some cases, travelers entrust these situations to a tour operator or travel agent. Do what works best for your situation.

Your luggage will eventually be returned to you. If your claim is successful, you will want to have an official report on the length of the delay, as it will be used to determine the amount of compensation. Make sure you get a second report with these details.

When you first report, be sure to ask the staff what compensation you are entitled to. Many airlines offer "overnight kits" containing items such as toothbrushes, towels, etc. In some cases, they simply compensate you for everything you had to buy, so don't forget to keep your receipts !

What to do if your luggage is damaged?

You may have claimed your luggage upon arrival, but noticed scuffs or tears that weren't present before. The frame, wheels, or handles may be damaged. What's your next step?

First, you should take note of the damage before taking any action. Many airlines do not cover what might be considered "normal wear and tear." In most cases, cosmetic effects such as marks and stains, scuffed corners, and dents in the frame or wheels are not a valid reason to file a claim. This is regardless of whether your baggage is new or expensive.

For significant damage (anything that makes your baggage unfit for travel), each airline is required to repair, replace, or refund your baggage. File a claim at the baggage office, and the staff will take care of things.

Remember this only applies to your suitcase! airports are currently not responsible from broken or damaged items which are located at theinterior. So, if you're bringing back some fragile souvenirs, make sure they're packed carefully. Or better yet, keep them in your carry-on luggage instead.

What to do if your luggage is stolen?

Luggage theft at the airport is an extremely rare occurrence, but it does happen. If you suspect your bag has been stolen, first take a deep breath. Remember that the simplest explanation is usually the correct one. It's much more likely that your bag was delayed or misplaced.

Airlines tend to have efficient and streamlined technology to track all passenger baggage, so they will be able to confirm this for you.

In either case, gather as many details as possible. The airline will want to know your flight and baggage numbers, departure and arrival times (as well as any layovers), and specific details about the lost or stolen baggage.

If your luggage has been stolen, you must contact the airline and local authorities the nearest. If it is uncertain whether the police will find the culprit or your belongings, some airlines will only take your request seriously if you have filed a complaint with the police.

Once you've filed your claim, the next steps and compensation amounts vary from airline to airline. Unfortunately, many airlines require purchase receipts as proof of lost items, so be prepared to follow your paper trail if you want to be fully compensated.

How to get reimbursed for lost baggage?

We don't have figures for France, but in the United States, 87% of travelers don't file a claim when their luggage is lost, damaged, or stolen. Remember that if any of these situations have happened to you, you have the legal right to be reimbursed for any potential damages.

First, if you haven't received your luggage, don't leave the airport until you've contacted airport staff and filed a complaint. Be sure to fill out your PIR in full, carefully listing all the contents of your bag. When you're finished, be sure to get a copy of it along with your baggage tag number. After filing your complaint, request an overnight kit.

Then ask if the airline offers refunds for the cost of premium items need. If so, be sure to ask for the maximum you can spend, and the airline will refund you the full amount. However, be sure to do this in writing. writing a formal complaint regarding reimbursements of additional costs due to lost baggage.

If you have a credit card with insurance, contact your bank. Most banks offer their customers some form of insurance for lost or delayed baggage.

If your baggage is still missing after 21 days, it will be officially declared lost. In this case, you can receive a refund of up to approximately €2,960, depending on the country you arrived in.

Compensation amounts for lost, damaged and delayed baggage

If your baggage has been delayed or lost, you may be eligible for compensation for your losses. Just be sure to file your claim within the allotted time:

Damaged baggage: 7 days;

Missing or damaged content: 7 days;

Delayed or lost baggage: 21 days.

The amount of compensation depends on your destination:

If you take a flight to Europe, departing from Europe or within Europe, in case of baggage delay, you can obtain a compensation of up to €1,300 ;

Other tips for getting reimbursed for lost luggage:

Expect to receive less than the maximum refund. Airlines generally know the average value of each case and are reluctant to pay more;

You will only be compensated if you have receipts. Even if you had a five-year-old camera in your luggage, you will need the receipt to get reimbursed. (Although some airlines do not require it for small, ordinary items.)

Even if you have a receipt, airlines don't refund the full value. Instead, they evaluate everything that's been used. For example, if you bought a suit for 300 $ two days ago, you'll get back about 150 $;

Airlines do not reimburse valuable, fragile or perishable items.

How to avoid losing luggage in the future?

If you're worried about losing your luggage in the future, there are a number of precautions you can take to avoid a frustrating situation.

Studies have shown that luggage is most often lost due to short connecting layovers. This makes sense, as during a rush, airline staff often can't load all the suitcases before takeoff.

Alors comment éviter cela ? Lorsque vous réservez une escale, assurez-vous que l’intervalle entre vos deux vols est d’au moins 90 minutes.

Late check-ins are another cause of baggage delays. It is recommended that you bring your luggage to check-in at least 90 minutes before departure.

Finally, one of the most common reasons for lost luggage is that some people like to "collect" airport stickers/tags from their luggage. It's very difficult for baggage handlers to find the right tag if you have ten different ones stuck to your bag. So make sure to always remove old stickers before recording.

Here are some other steps you can take to prevent your luggage from getting lost in the future:

• Use a luggage tag with your first and last name, email address, and phone number.
• Secure straps and other loose items, as this increases the risk of falls on treadmills.
• Buy a brightly colored and unique suitcase cover that stands out and is descriptive.
• Keep your valuables in your carry-on luggage. This reduces the risk of your luggage being stolen.

What do airports do with lost luggage?

If your baggage goes unclaimed, it will be auctioned off. While it's easy to be pessimistic, airlines do a lot to ensure your baggage is recovered. This is mainly because they lose money on lost baggage, with refunds being higher than the auction prices.

However, they don't sell them right away. Typically, your suitcase stays at the terminal for about five days. During this time, your bag is checked for any signs of its owner. If no owner is found, it is shipped to a warehouse where it stays for about 60 days. Then, it is sold at an auction house.

If you lose your baggage, you can receive up to 3500$ in compensation from the responsible airline. Typically, baggage is auctioned off for much less than this amount, resulting in huge losses for airlines.

Additionally, not all airlines sell your unclaimed baggage to auction houses. Some donate all the items to charities, while others sell them in bulk to their partners: companies that then resell each item separately.

Global statistics on lost luggage

According to a 2017 SITA study, approximately 5.73 bags were lost per 1,000 passengers in 2016. This percentage has been decreasing every year, with 18.88 bags lost per 1,000 passengers in 2007. This represents a decrease of nearly 70% in lost baggage over the past nine years.

What is the correlation in euros? Since 2007, the total number of passengers has increased by a third, but the number of lost bags has halved. This has saved the luggage industry €1,695,576,200.

SITA said the decrease in lost baggage is mainly due to new technologies and process improvements made by airlines and airports around the world.

Of the total lost luggage, approximately 47 % were due to too short delays between connecting flights. Baggage misloading comes in second with 16 %, followed by ticketing error (15 %). Other causes include bad weather, weight restrictions, customs, handling errors upon arrival, labeling errors, and loading errors.

Of all the lost baggage claims, only 7 % are completely lost and will never be seen again. In total, the The chances of you losing your luggage completely are about 1 in 2500.

The Worst Airports for Lost and Stolen Luggage

Santorini Thira International Airport, Greece:

Unfortunately, despite its breathtaking beauty, this famous island's airport is known for being a difficult point of entry and departure for travelers. Santorini's facilities are often considered nearly unsustainable due to their size and capacity, compared to the staggering number of tourists who visit throughout the year. Baggage carousels are often chaotic, frequently leading to delays and lost luggage.

John F. Kennedy International Airport, NY, USA:

This airport has long held the record for the highest number of thefts in the United States. Thousands of claims for lost or stolen baggage have been filed over the years, and reports from 2012 indicate that the airport records up to 200 cases of theft per day. If you fly into JFK in the future, be sure to implement our prevention tips mentioned above.

Juba International Airport, Sudan:

It may not be your usual travel destination, but in case you're considering making the trip, it's worth knowing that Juba International Airport is considered one of the worst airports in the world. With a high number of reported complaints about the facilities (tents are often used in place of terminals) and unsafe infrastructure, it's no surprise that your luggage isn't the safest at this airport. Juba is definitely an airport you want to head to armed with an extra travel bag and your travel insurance.

Heathrow Airport, London, England:

Like New York, London is a thriving metropolis with some of the highest daily passenger numbers in the world. As a result, Heathrow, the city's busiest airport, experiences more baggage-related problems and tribulations than any other airport in the UK.

These are just a few airports that see a high number of claims and reports of lost or stolen baggage. Here are a few others worth considering if you're traveling to these countries:

• Islamabad Benazir Bhutto International Airport, Pakistan

• Los Angeles Airport, Los Angeles, United States

• Caracas Simon Bolivar International Airport, Venezuela

• Luton International, London, England

• Madrid-Barajas Adolfo Suárez Airport, Madrid, Spain

You have all the keys in hand!

You are now ready to travel with peace of mind. To greatly reduce the risk of delayed or lost luggage, we recommend adding a suitcase cover that will allow you to identify and protect your suitcase in all airports around the world.