Lost luggage at the airport: what to do step by step

Q: Can I use an AirTag to find my suitcase?

Yes. A Bluetooth tracker such as an AirTag placed inside your bag can provide useful information about its location. Using Apple's Share Item Location feature, you can generate a temporary, secure link and share it with airlines that support the service, making the search easier. Using a tracker still does not replace the official procedure: if your luggage doesn't arrive, you still need to report it missing and open a PIR at the relevant desk.

Q: What happens if my luggage is never found?

If your luggage isn't found within 21 days of the date it should have been delivered, it is considered lost. You can then claim from the airline the compensation provided for by the Montreal Convention, submitting documentation of the expenses you incurred.

Q: Who reimburses the expenses incurred while waiting?

It's the airline that covers essential expenses, within reasonable limits and against receipts. So, keep every receipt until your suitcase is returned and follow closely the airline's instructions for submitting your claim.

The carousel stops, the other passengers have collected their suitcases, but yours is nowhere to be seen. What should you do next? From reporting the issue at the Lost and Found desk and filing a PIR to tracking your suitcase and claiming any compensation, here’s how to handle a bag that doesn’t arrive at your destination and what you can do to make recovering it easier.

Lost luggage at the airport: why it happens
What to do in the first few minutes after landing
How to follow the search for your suitcase
Passenger rights and reimbursement timelines
How to protect your luggage and travel with peace of mind
Frequently asked questions about lost luggage

Lost luggage at the airport: why it happens

Few things can rattle the calm of a trip like a bag that never appears on the belt. It's a mishap that can happen above all on connecting flights, when the suitcase may not make it onto the next flight in time, or because of problems during sorting or identification. It's worth remembering, though, that in most cases the suitcase is simply delayed and is returned later. That's why it's important to react methodically and start the necessary procedures right away so the airline can trace your luggage.

What to do in the first few minutes after landing

When the belt stops and your suitcase doesn't appear, the first rule is to stay calm. Wait until all the luggage has been unloaded before you assume it's lost, then head to the airline's or ground handler's Lost and Found office, usually in the baggage claim area. It's essential to report the missing bag straight away, before leaving the arrivals area, so that the search procedure starts immediately.

Keep your boarding pass and the baggage identification tag you were given at check-in close to hand - that small stub with the barcode linked to your suitcase. These are the documents that let staff identify your luggage and begin the necessary checks.

How to open the lost-property report

The key document is called the PIR, or Property Irregularity Report. It's the official report that formally records the missing bag and makes it possible to start the search. At the desk you'll be asked to describe your luggage (brand, color, size and main contents) and to give a contact number and an address for delivery. Carefully hold on to the case number you're assigned: you'll need it to follow updates and for any later communication with the airline.

How to follow the search for your suitcase

Many airlines and ground-handling companies use WorldTracer, an international baggage management and tracking system used by more than 500 airlines and ground handlers in over 2,800 airports around the world. Your PIR code, recognizable because it combines the airport code, the airline code and a string of numbers and lets you check updates on the status of the search online. One useful detail to know: the system shows the last point where your suitcase was scanned, not a real-time location, and updates can take a few hours.

This is where an option travelers increasingly appreciate comes into play. By slipping a small Bluetooth tracker into your bag, such as an AirTag, you can use Apple's Share Item Location feature to generate a temporary, secure link with the device's location and share it with airlines that support the service. Since late 2024, more than fifteen airlines, including the major European groups, have accepted this information to make bags easier to recover.

Passenger rights and reimbursement timelines

The Montreal Convention protects passengers in cases of delayed, damaged or lost luggage, clearly setting out liability and compensation limits.

Reimbursement of expenses while you wait

For the time you're left without your luggage, you can claim reimbursement of the reasonable expenses incurred because of the delay, for example to buy clothing and personal-hygiene items. Reimbursement terms can vary from airline to airline: full-service carriers tend to be more generous, sometimes with an immediate courtesy kit, while low-cost airlines usually cover only the essentials against receipts. So, keep every receipt.

If your luggage is later found and returned, the claim for damages caused by the delay must be submitted to the airline in writing within 21 days of the actual delivery date.

Compensation for permanent loss

If your luggage isn't found within twenty-one days of the date it should have been delivered, it is officially considered lost and you can file a claim for compensation. Since 28 December 2024, the liability limit set by the Montreal Convention for the destruction, loss, damage or delay of luggage has been raised to 1,519 Special Drawing Rights (SDR) per passenger, currently equivalent to more than 1,700 euros (the euro value of the SDR varies according to the relevant exchange rate).

Note that this is a maximum liability ceiling, not an automatic refund: the amount actually granted depends on the damage you can prove and the documentation you provide. The claim must be submitted in writing within the set deadlines to assert your rights.

How to protect your luggage and travel with peace of mind

A few good habits reduce the risk and make any search easier. Always attach a label with your details, both outside and inside the suitcase, and photograph your luggage before departure so you have an accurate description of it. A distinctive, well-built trolley is also easier to pick out among dozens of anonymous models.

This is where choosing the right luggage becomes part of the strategy. Piquadro suitcases and business bags combine a distinctive design with hard-wearing materials and features designed for frequent travelers, from integrated tracking systems to carefully organized compartments. Investing in elegant, functional luggage means protecting what you carry with you and approaching every trip with greater peace of mind.

Frequently asked questions about lost luggage

How long do I have to report lost luggage?

You should report it immediately, before leaving the baggage claim area, by going to the Lost and Found office and opening a PIR. If your luggage is later found and returned, any claim for damage caused by the delay must be submitted to the airline in writing within 21 days of the actual delivery date.

Can I use an AirTag to find my suitcase?

Yes. A Bluetooth tracker such as an AirTag placed inside your bag can provide useful information about its location. Using Apple's Share Item Location feature, you can generate a temporary, secure link and share it with airlines that support the service, making the search easier.

Using a tracker still does not replace the official procedure: if your luggage doesn't arrive, you still need to report it missing and open a PIR at the relevant desk.

What happens if my luggage is never found?

If your luggage isn't found within 21 days of the date it should have been delivered, it is considered lost. You can then claim from the airline the compensation provided for by the Montreal Convention, submitting documentation of the expenses you incurred.

Who reimburses the expenses incurred while waiting?

It's the airline that covers essential expenses, within reasonable limits and against receipts. So, keep every receipt until your suitcase is returned and follow closely the airline's instructions for submitting your claim.

Conclusion

Dealing with lost luggage at the airport is less complicated than it seems, provided you act in an orderly way: report the loss straight away in the arrivals area, open the PIR, follow the updates the airline provides and keep every receipt. If your luggage isn't found within 21 days, it is considered lost and the protection set out by the Montreal Convention comes into play. Knowing your rights, making the most of the latest trackers and travelling with quality luggage helps you handle a potential setback with greater awareness and peace of mind.