Lost luggage can ruin a holiday (Image: AP)
Millions of British holidaymakers will be departing this summer for destinations across the world.
Air travel frequently accompanies holidays and becomes unavoidable in numerous instances.
Baggage forms a fundamental part of travelling, and carriers misplacing, harming, or postponing your luggage whilst you’re departing for your break can prove infuriating and overwhelming, to put it mildly.
Fresh research by Sita, an aviation technology firm, revealed 33.4 million bags were mishandled in 2024.
Such disruptions can seriously impact travellers, especially those venturing overseas with youngsters during the busy summer holiday season, reports the Mirror.
Chris Harrington, Managing Director at hoppa, said: “Losing luggage is always stressful, but not knowing what to do in this situation can make it even worse. Ultimately, we advise Brits that the faster and more informed their response is, the better chances of recovering luggage or receiving updates on its whereabouts.
“Airlines are liable to offer compensation to passengers, under the Montreal Convention 1999, which standardises rules for airlines in cases such as damage or loss of luggage. There are steps passengers must follow; however, once all steps are taken, a successful claim can be made.
One family lost their luggage twice (Image: undefined)
“The process isn’t as complicated as one might think, but there are important steps to follow. We’ve outlined them below for anyone planning on flying this summer.”
What is the Montreal Convention?
The Montreal Convention 1999, by definition, is an international treaty that standardises airline liability in cases of passenger injury or death, delays, and damage or loss of baggage and cargo.
Under the Montreal Convention, airlines are required to compensate up to 1,288 Special Drawing Rights (SDR) – which equates to approximately £1,363 as of August 2025 – if your checked luggage is lost, damaged or delayed during international travel. Airlines are also liable for unchecked baggage if they are at fault.
Passengers requiring a higher liability limit can make a special declaration at check-in and pay an additional fee.
To lodge a claim, you’ll need to provide evidence of your luggage and its contents, so have this information ready. The more details you have, the more likely you will be to make a successful claim.
With some exceptions, the Montreal Convention applies when passengers travel on an airline reservation that includes travel between two countries that ratified the treaty. It’s worth noting that the Montreal Convention doesn’t apply when travel is entirely domestic.
Losing your luggage can ruin your holiday (Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
The Montreal Convention doesn’t apply if neither of the countries involved has signed either the Montreal or Warsaw Convention. Currently, both nations must be signatories to at least one of these two Conventions, with at least one having ratified the Montreal Convention.
Presently, over 130 countries worldwide, including most with advanced aviation systems, have ratified the Montreal Convention.
Key steps to follow
Report missing luggage immediately
As soon as you realise your luggage is missing, make your way to the airline’s luggage service desk, usually located near the baggage reclaim area. You’ll need your luggage receipt or tag and flight details ready, as this information will be needed by the staff to start tracking your bag.
Remember, the quicker you act, the better your chances of finding out what’s happened to your luggage.
Provide detailed information
Providing a thorough description of your luggage will enhance the chances of it being found and returned promptly. Be prepared to give specifics about the brand, colour, size, type of shell and any unique identifiers like tags or stickers.
If you have any photos of your bag, show them to the staff as it can help make the tracking process easier for the airline.
Ask for a written reference number
While at the service desk, make sure to request a Property Irregularity Report (PIR) reference number. This unique code is issued by airlines to track your misplaced luggage and will be necessary when you want to check on your luggage’s status or if you need to file an insurance claim.
Ask about immediate allowances
Certain airlines may offer an allowance for you to purchase immediate essentials such as clothing or toiletries while they locate your luggage, especially if you’re away from home. Even if the airline doesn’t provide allowances, ensure you keep all your receipts.
With the right evidence, you might be able to claim these expenses back at a later date.
Waiting for luggage can be nervy (Image: Getty Images)
Get in touch with your travel insurance provider
Numerous travel insurance providers offer coverage for luggage that’s been delayed for more than 12-24 hours. If your luggage is delayed, contact your provider as soon as possible to find out what documents and evidence you’ll need to make a claim and to ensure you’re properly reimbursed for any essentials you have to buy.
Coverage varies between providers, so check what your insurance offers.
Follow up after three weeks
You should be regularly following up with your airline over the phone or email to check on the status of your bag, but it’s particularly important that you follow up after three weeks. According to International Guidelines, once your bag has been missing for more than 21 days, it’s officially classified as ‘lost’.
At this stage, it’s crucial to contact the airline and start a formal lost luggage claim. Airlines have set deadlines for submitting lost luggage claims, which can range from 7 to 21 days, so it’s important to act swiftly.