Standing at an empty carousel is a strangely quiet experience. The last bag has already been claimed, the belt has stopped, and the airport staff are moving to the next arrival. The single most useful thing to know at that moment: your bag is almost certainly not lost. It is delayed, and delayed bags rejoin their owner within 24-48 hours in about 95% of cases.
At the carousel
- Verify you are at the correct carousel. Multiple flights land at the same time and airline apps sometimes list the wrong belt.
- Wait until the belt visibly stops and staff confirm no more bags are coming.
- Go to the airline's baggage service office - always in the arrivals hall, usually near the carousels.
- Bring your boarding pass, your bag claim tag (the sticker on the back of your boarding pass), and photo ID.
Filing the PIR
The Property Irregularity Report (PIR) is the airline's incident log. Without it, you have no claim. File it before you leave the airport.
The PIR captures:
- The airline, flight number, date and PNR.
- Your bag tag number (10-digit code on the sticker).
- A description of the bag: brand, color, size, distinctive markings.
- Contents summary (not itemized - that is for a later claim).
- Your local delivery address and contact.
- A PIR reference number, usually 5 letters and 5 digits (e.g., LHRLH12345).
How tracing works
Almost every airline uses WorldTracer, a shared global bag-tracing database. When you file the PIR, the bag is added to the WorldTracer system with your PIR number as the key. The system matches against every bag registered as 'found unclaimed' worldwide.
Common causes and typical resolution times:
| Cause | Typical resolution |
|---|---|
| Short connection - bag missed the connection | 12-48 hours |
| Loaded on wrong flight | 24-72 hours |
| Damaged tag re-scanned manually | 24-96 hours |
| Stolen or taken by another passenger | 3-14 days |
| Never scanned at origin (system error) | Longest - can be 5-10 days |
The airline is responsible for return delivery. Once the bag is located, it is put on the next available flight and delivered to your accommodation, usually by courier within a few hours of arrival.
Reimbursement for essentials
Under the Montreal Convention (international flights) and most domestic policies, the airline must reimburse reasonable essentials while you wait.
- Toiletries, basic clothing, chargers.
- A reasonable amount per day, usually $50-150 depending on cause and airline.
- The airline can require receipts. Save them all.
- 'Reasonable' skews toward budget items - do not buy designer replacements and expect full reimbursement.
When bags become 'declared lost'
After 21 days without location, most airlines declare the bag officially lost. This unlocks a full claim under the Montreal Convention: up to 1,519 SDR (about USD 2,050) per passenger, based on actual value with receipts.
Filing the loss claim:
- Itemized list of bag contents with approximate purchase date and price.
- Receipts where you have them; sworn statement for items without.
- The original PIR reference.
- Photos of the bag (if you have them) and any high-value items.
- Submit within the airline's window - usually 21 days from the flight, though the Convention protects you for up to 2 years.
See also: delayed bags, damaged luggage, baggage tracking tips and passenger rights explained.
Frequently asked
Should I claim on the airline or my travel insurance?+
Both, in order. Airline first - they are primary. Insurance covers what the airline does not, up to your policy's baggage limit.
Are electronics covered?+
Under the Montreal Convention yes, up to the total per-passenger limit. Most airlines discourage packing electronics in checked bags but do cover them if you did.
What if I only realise a bag is missing days later?+
You have 7 days from receipt for damage claims and 21 days for delayed baggage. After 21 days, it becomes a lost-bag claim with the same 2-year Convention window.
Aisha Owen
Airport operations writer at AirHelpService
Writes about air travel operations, passenger rights and airport procedures. Reader questions and corrections welcome via our contact page.
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