Complaint to Airline for Lost Baggage
Standing at an empty carousel while everyone else collects their bags is miserable — and the airline's responsibility does not end there. This letter files your claim with every detail the airline needs: flight, bag tag, description, and contents value.
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When and how to use this letter
Act at the airport before you leave: file the Property Irregularity Report (PIR) at the airline's baggage desk and photograph it. This single document is the foundation of everything that follows — without it, airlines routinely deny or delay claims. Then send this written complaint within 7 days, quoting the PIR reference number, because most international conventions set short deadlines for written notice.
Describe the bag precisely — size, color, brand, distinguishing marks — and list the contents with approximate values. Keep receipts for every essential item you must buy while waiting: toiletries, clothing, chargers. These interim expenses are reimbursable, but only with receipts. Under the Montreal Convention, airline liability for international flights reaches roughly 5,000 USD per passenger, so do not accept the first low offer.
A non-obvious tip: chase the airline weekly in writing using your PIR number, and keep a log of every call and email. Baggage departments prioritize persistent, documented claimants. If the bag is not found within 21 days, it is officially 'lost' — file the full compensation claim immediately with your itemized contents list rather than waiting for the airline to contact you. And for the future, photograph your packed bag and keep valuables and one change of clothes in your cabin bag.
Frequently asked questions
What is the first thing to do when my baggage is lost?
How much compensation can I claim for lost baggage?
When is baggage considered officially lost?
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