You’ve landed, you’re standing at baggage claim, and your suitcase never appears. Or maybe you left your jacket on a seat at the gate. Both situations are stressful, but here’s what most travelers don’t realize: lost luggage and lost personal items are handled by completely different departments, and contacting the wrong one can cost you days — or your stuff.
Let’s break down exactly what the difference is, who handles what, and what you need to do in each scenario.
Lost Luggage: What It Actually Means
When people say “lost luggage at the airport,” they usually mean one of these situations:
- Checked bag didn’t arrive — You checked it in, but it didn’t make it to your destination.
- Delayed bag — It’s on a later flight and will arrive eventually.
- Damaged luggage — It arrived, but it’s been beaten up in transit.
- Bag sent to the wrong airport — It went somewhere, just not where you are.
In all of these cases, the airline is responsible. Not the airport. Not TSA. The airline.
Why the Airline Handles Lost Luggage
Once you hand your checked bag to the airline at check-in, it enters their custody. The bag goes through the airline’s baggage handling system, gets loaded by airline ground crews (or their contractors), and travels in the cargo hold of their aircraft. If it goes missing during this process, it’s on them.
Under the Department of Transportation regulations, airlines are required to compensate you for lost, delayed, or damaged checked bags. For domestic flights in the U.S., the maximum liability is currently $3,800 per passenger. International flights are covered under the Montreal Convention with different limits.
Lost Personal Items: A Completely Different Process
Lost personal items are things you had with you — in your hands, on your person, in your carry-on — that you left behind somewhere in the airport or on the plane. This includes:
- Phones, laptops, tablets, and chargers
- Wallets, passports, and IDs
- Jackets, hats, and scarves
- Headphones, AirPods, and earbuds
- Books, toys, stuffed animals
- Carry-on bags left at the gate or in the restroom
Who handles these depends on where you lost the item:
Left at TSA Security Checkpoint → TSA Lost and Found
TSA operates independently from both the airport and the airline. They have their own lost and found process. Items left in bins, at the conveyor belt, or in the screening area go to TSA. You can file a claim at TSA.gov or call the TSA office at your specific airport.
Left in the Terminal → Airport Lost and Found
Items found in gate areas, restrooms, hallways, restaurants, shops, and other terminal spaces are typically turned in to the airport’s centralized lost and found department. Every major airport has one, though the process for claiming items varies. Most airports hold items for 30 to 90 days.
Left on the Plane → Airline Lost and Found
If you left something on the aircraft — in the seat pocket, overhead bin, or under your seat — the airline handles that. Flight crews and cleaning crews collect found items and turn them in to the airline’s lost and found office, usually located near baggage claim at each airport they serve.
The Confusion: Why People Contact the Wrong Department
Here’s the problem: most travelers have no idea that airports, airlines, and TSA all run separate lost and found operations. They Google “lost luggage airport” and end up calling the airport’s general number, which can’t help with a bag the airline lost.
Or they left their phone at the TSA checkpoint and call the airline, who tells them to call the airport, who tells them to call TSA. By the time they reach the right department, days have passed.
This is why knowing the difference matters.
Quick Reference: Who to Contact
- Checked bag missing/delayed/damaged? → Contact your airline at baggage claim or their customer service line. File a claim immediately.
- Left something at security? → Contact TSA Lost and Found at that specific airport.
- Left something in the terminal? → Contact the airport’s lost and found office.
- Left something on the plane? → Contact the airline’s lost and found.
- Not sure where you lost it? → File claims with all three: TSA, airport, and airline.
What to Do for Lost Luggage (Checked Bags)
- Report it at baggage claim immediately. Don’t leave the airport. Go to the airline’s baggage service office, usually located right next to the carousel. File a Property Irregularity Report (PIR).
- Get a file reference number. This is your tracking number for the claim.
- Keep your baggage claim tag. That sticker they put on your boarding pass? That’s proof you checked a bag. Don’t lose it.
- Ask about interim expenses. If your bag is delayed and you need essentials (toiletries, basic clothing), many airlines will reimburse reasonable expenses. Keep all receipts.
- Follow up online. Most airlines let you track your delayed bag status through their website or app using your PIR number.
- File a formal claim if it’s truly lost. Airlines typically declare a bag “lost” after 5-14 days of searching. At that point, you can file for compensation.
What to Do for Lost Personal Items
- Identify where you most likely lost it. Think through your journey step by step.
- Contact the right department based on the location (TSA, airport, or airline — see above).
- File a written claim within 24 hours. Phone calls are fine for initial contact, but always follow up with a written claim that creates a record.
- Provide detailed descriptions. Brand, model, color, case, distinguishing features, serial numbers if you have them.
- Follow up regularly. Items can take 24-72 hours to be logged into a system. Check back every few days.
👉 File a lost property claim at airportslostandfound.com — We’ll help you navigate the process and connect with the right department.
What About Travel Insurance?
If you have travel insurance, it may cover lost, delayed, or stolen luggage and personal items. Check your policy for:
- Baggage delay coverage (usually kicks in after 6-12 hours)
- Lost baggage reimbursement
- Personal effects coverage
- Electronics coverage (some policies exclude high-value electronics)
Also check your credit card benefits — many travel credit cards include built-in baggage insurance when you purchase your ticket with the card.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take for an airline to find lost luggage?
Most delayed bags are located within 24-48 hours. Airlines use a global tracking system called WorldTracer to match missing bags with found bags worldwide. If your bag isn’t found within 5-14 days (varies by airline), it’s typically declared lost and you can file for compensation.
Can I get compensation for items inside my lost luggage?
Yes, but there are limits. For domestic U.S. flights, airlines are liable up to $3,800 per passenger for lost checked bags and their contents. You’ll need to provide an itemized list with values. Airlines may depreciate items based on age and condition.
What if my luggage was lost on an international flight?
International flights are governed by the Montreal Convention, which sets liability limits in Special Drawing Rights (SDRs). The current limit is approximately 1,288 SDRs per passenger (roughly $1,700 USD, though this fluctuates with exchange rates).
Does the airport reimburse me for lost personal items?
Generally, no. Airports, TSA, and airlines will try to return found items to their owners, but they’re not liable for items you left behind. This is different from checked luggage, where the airline has a legal obligation. This is why travel insurance and keeping valuables with you matters.
How do I prevent losing luggage in the future?
Use an AirTag or other Bluetooth tracker in your checked bags so you can locate them in real time. Take a photo of your luggage before checking it. Always keep essential medications, valuables, and a change of clothes in your carry-on. Arrive early so your bag has time to make connecting flights.
The Bottom Line
Lost luggage and lost personal items look similar from a traveler’s perspective — your stuff is gone and you want it back. But the recovery process is completely different depending on what you lost and where you lost it. Contact the right department from the start, file your claim quickly, and follow up regularly.
Not sure where to start? File a claim here and let us help you figure out the fastest path to getting your belongings back.