Lost luggage – what to do in such a situation?

Problems at the airport – lost, damaged, or delayed luggage 

The airport is where unpleasant incidents involving luggage occur most frequently. This is because when we check our luggage, we entrust it to the care of airport staff. They do not always handle it with care. That is why suitcases sometimes crack, tear, or suffer other damage. It also happens that luggage ends up in the wrong place and, instead of flying with us, ends up on a different flight. These are, of course, isolated incidents, but they do happen. W such situations, we often deal with delayed luggage. Airlines deliver such luggage to the destination as late as possible. Sometimes, luggage goes missing and it is impossible to recover it. Each of these situations entails specific inconveniences and additional costs that we must incur in order to function normally at our destination. Purchasing clothing, hygiene products, and cosmetics—all of this comes at a price. 

What should you do if your luggage is lost or damaged at the airport?

If you cannot find your luggage after landing or if it is damaged, you should immediately go to the service desk while still at the airport and fill out the PIR form - Property Irregularity Report. Additionally, it’s a good idea to keep all documents, such as boarding passes, baggage check receipts, and receipts for items you need to buy to function normally, like a toothbrush or underwear. Some airports offer so-called “emergency kits,” which you can obtain at counters marked “Lost Luggage.” Any damage must be reported to the carrier, i.e., the airline whose services you used. W the case of damaged luggage, you have 7 days to do so. If your luggage is lost or delayed, you have 21 days to report it. It’s always a good idea to check the airline’s website for the terms and conditions of filing a claim and the necessary documents you need to provide so that the claim can be processed as efficiently as possible.

What kind of compensation can you expect?

We carry various items W our luggage—some more valuable than others. However, they are all essential on vacation. The carrier, however, does not bear unlimited liability for the value of lost luggage. This limit is set by regulation. Based on the Montreal Convention and European Parliament regulations airlines’ liability for lost or damaged baggage is 1,288 SDR (Special Drawing Rights), which in 2022 is equivalent to 8,010.72 PLN. It’s important to remember that you’re only entitled to compensation for your luggage if it was entrusted to airport staff or was on the plane. This doesn’t apply if your luggage is damaged or lost on the airport premises while it was still in your care.

Better safe than sorry: when is it worth getting additional insurance?

As mentioned, the carrier is liable only for the luggage entrusted to it, and only up to the amount specified by regulations. But what if the value of the items in the suitcase is higher? It’s also worth purchasing luggage insurance, which will cover this difference and allow you to recover a larger amount for lost or damaged luggage. This insurance additionally covers not only luggage in the care of the airline, but also when it is under our supervision. If we lose it or it is damaged while in our care, we can also receive compensation. This also applies when we check our luggage at a storage facility and have a receipt. When choosing insurance, it’s worth reviewing the general terms and conditions to understand the exclusions and what isn’t covered, so you won’t be unpleasantly surprised if you need to file a claim.

How can you avoid unpleasant surprises with your luggage?

We have no control over lost or delayed luggage by the airline. However, we can reduce the risk of luggage damage at the airport to some extent. How? By buying the right suitcases. If you travel a lot and check checked luggage It’s worth choosing suitcases made of polypropylene, which is a hard yet flexible material. You can also choose soft-sided suitcases, for example made of Cordura fabric, which is tear-resistant. This reduces the risk of damage to both the suitcase itself and the contents inside. While it doesn’t completely eliminate this risk, it certainly provides additional protection for your luggage, even if it isn’t handled with due care.

What about lost luggage when traveling by train? 

We travel in many different ways, and the train is one of the most popular modes of transportation. Sometimes, we lose our luggage on the train as well. What should you do in such a situation? Please contact the carrier as soon as possible and inform them of the situation. You can do this directly at the train station, if possible, or look up the phone number online on the carrier’s website, which will inform you of the next steps. W this case, it’s helpful to describe the suitcase’s distinctive features. It helps if it has a distinctive color. That way, you’ll be able to identify it more quickly. So don’t be afraid of colorful suitcases. They’re also easier to spot on the baggage carousel at the airport.

Lost, damaged, or delayed luggage is always a nuisance and causes inconvenience. However, it’s important to remember that we’re not helpless in such situations and can get help as well as compensation for lost luggage. You just need to know what to do in such a situation and be aware of your rights.

We invite you to check out our selection of small, medium, and large suitcases!