Lost or Delayed Luggage: What to Do, Step by Step
Quick answer
If your checked bag does not appear, do not leave the airport. File a Property Irregularity Report (PIR) at the airline's baggage desk before you go, keep the reference number and your bag-tag receipt, and ask how to track the bag. Most delayed luggage turns up within a few days; while you wait, keep receipts for essentials, which the airline is usually expected to reimburse. On international flights the Montreal Convention sets the airline's liability if a bag is lost for good.
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Step 1 — Report it before you leave the airport
The single most important step is to file the report in person at the baggage-services desk in the arrivals hall while you are still airside-adjacent. Leaving first and calling later makes claims much harder. You will receive a PIR reference — treat it like gold.
Step 2 — Keep the right paperwork
Hold onto your boarding pass, the baggage-tag stickers you were given at check-in, and the PIR reference. Photograph them. These prove the bag was checked, on which flight, and that you reported it promptly.
Step 3 — Track the bag
Most airlines now offer online baggage tracking tied to your PIR or file reference. Many bags are simply on the next flight after a tight connection and arrive within hours. If you use a Bluetooth tracker inside your case, note its last location to help staff — but always follow official channels for the claim.
Step 4 — Buy essentials and keep receipts
During a delay you are generally entitled to reasonable essentials — toiletries, underwear, a change of clothes — especially away from home. Keep every receipt, stay reasonable, and check the airline's stated daily limits before you spend.
| Timeframe | What usually happens |
|---|---|
| 0–24 hours | Bag is "delayed"; tracking begins; essentials reimbursable |
| 1–5 days | Most delayed bags are found and delivered to your address |
| Up to ~21 days | Still classed as delayed while searches continue |
| After that | May be declared lost; formal compensation claim applies |
Step 5 — If the bag is declared lost
When a bag is not found within the airline's window, it is treated as lost. Submit a written claim within the airline's deadline, listing the contents and their value with any proof you have — photos, receipts, purchase records. On most international journeys the Montreal Convention caps the airline's liability at a set amount, so high-value or irreplaceable items are better carried in your cabin bag or covered by travel insurance.
How to reduce the risk next time
- Carry a change of clothes, medication, valuables and documents in your cabin bag.
- Avoid very tight connections where bags struggle to make the transfer.
- Put a name-and-contact tag inside and outside the case.
- Photograph your packed bag and its contents before you travel.
- Remove old airport tags that can confuse automated sorting.
What information the airline will ask for
When you file the report, staff will typically want your flight details, a description of the bag and its contents, the address where it should be delivered, and your contact number. Being ready with this speeds everything up. Describe the case clearly — colour, brand, size, any distinguishing marks — because that is how it is matched in the airline's tracing system. If you took a photo of the packed bag before travelling, offer it; a clear image is far more useful than a vague description.
Travel insurance and card cover
Your airline claim is not the only avenue. Many travel insurance policies and some credit cards include baggage-delay and loss cover that can reimburse essentials or top up beyond the airline's liability limit. Read what you already hold before you buy replacements, keep every receipt, and file within the policy's deadline. Between the airline's obligations and your own cover, you are usually more protected than you might fear in the first stressful hour.
Frequently asked questions
What should I do first?
File a PIR at the airline's baggage desk before leaving the airport, and keep the reference and your bag-tag receipt.
When is a bag declared lost?
Usually after a set period, commonly around 21 days, though most delayed bags return within a few days.
Can I claim for essentials?
Often yes — reasonable toiletries and clothing during a delay. Keep receipts and check the airline's limits.
What if it is gone for good?
On international flights the Montreal Convention makes the airline liable up to a capped amount. File a written claim on time with proof of contents.
The bottom line
Lost luggage is stressful but usually temporary. Report it before you leave, keep every reference and receipt, track the bag, and know that international rules give you protection if the worst happens. Pack the irreplaceable in your cabin bag and consider insurance for valuables. Compare flights on ScanFlyGo, review routes and connections, and track your inbound flight so you know when your bag is due.
Some links on ScanFlyGo are affiliate links — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. This article is general guidance and not legal advice; check your airline's policy and applicable rules.