How not to lose your luggage at the airport: proven tips

What can ruin a trip right at the start? Losing your luggage, of course. These days, flying from Russia to Europe, for example, is only possible with layovers in third countries. That means more flights - and, with them, a higher chance that your suitcase goes astray. You reach your destination, but your favourite and most needed belongings do not. What should you do in that situation, and how can you protect yourself in advance?

Cause: the bag didn't make it onto the plane

This happens especially often on short connections.

How to avoid it

There is little you can do about it, other than steering clear of very tight layovers.

What to do

If your bag never appears on the carousel, head to the Lost & Found desk. Staff will check the computer system to see where your suitcase is. If it simply wasn't loaded in time, it will arrive on the next flight - and many airlines will deliver it straight to where you're staying.

Cause: the bag was sent to the wrong city by mistake

At check-in, a coded tag is attached to your suitcase; a robot on the conveyor reads it and routes the bag to the right flight. There are two situations in which a suitcase can end up somewhere else entirely: a missing tag, or the wrong one.

How to avoid it

Make sure the check-in agent actually attaches the coded tag. If they only wrap a strip around the handle, ask them to do it properly.

Before every flight, also check that you've removed all the old tags - the sorting robot can easily read an outdated code by mistake.

What to do

The Lost & Found desk can track this bag down too, but delivery will take considerably longer than in the first case.

Cause: another passenger took your bag

How to avoid it

In the baggage hall, position yourself so you can see every suitcase the moment it comes out onto the belt. It also helps to make your bag stand out so it can't be confused with anyone else's: use a cover with an unusual print, a bright tag with your contact details, stickers, and so on. In case someone does walk off with it anyway, tuck a slip of paper inside with your contact information and a note asking them to get in touch.

What to do

This is where things get harder: reviewing security-camera footage, identifying the person, and so on - a lot of trouble you could have avoided.

It also happens that the airport's computer system simply can't locate your bag. To hedge against that, use a few simple gadgets - trackers, beacons, and similar tracing devices. The best-known are the Samsung SmartTag and the Apple AirTag.

We hope these tips help you travel without any unnecessary adventures or headaches. Stay alert.

Your rights on international flights

On international flights an airline's liability for baggage is set by the Montreal Convention. From 28 December 2024 the limit rose from 1,288 to 1,519 special drawing rights per passenger, about $2,100 at the International Monetary Fund rate on 5 October 2026. If baggage has not arrived within 21 days of the date it should have arrived, it is treated as lost and you can claim for the loss.

• damage: a written claim within 7 days of receiving the baggage;
• delay: within 21 days of the baggage being delivered to you;
• a court claim: within 2 years.

What to do at the airport

1. Do not leave the baggage hall: go to the baggage tracing desk of your airline or the airport.
2. File a missing or damaged baggage report and get a file number.
3. Keep your boarding pass and baggage tag, and photograph any damage.
4. Describe the suitcase and contents: colour, brand, distinctive marks, valuables.
5. Keep receipts for essentials bought during the delay: the airline must refund reasonable costs within the limit.

How to file a claim

Send the claim in writing to the airline, usually the one that operated the last flight. Attach the airport report, ticket, baggage tag, receipts and a list of items with approximate values. If your baggage holds items worth more than the limit, you can declare a higher value at check-in for an extra fee, which raises the liability limit.

Connections and separate tickets

• on one ticket, baggage is checked through to the final destination and the airline is responsible for the connection;
• on separate tickets, you usually collect and re-check baggage, and the airline is not responsible if you miss the next flight;
• allow at least the airport's minimum connection time, and more if you change terminals or pass passport control.

What not to put in checked baggage

Keep documents, money, keys, medicines, laptops, jewellery and chargers in your cabin bag. Many airlines' conditions exclude liability for valuables in checked baggage, and spare batteries and power banks may not be checked in. Travel insurance with baggage cover adds protection above the convention limit.

How to prepare a suitcase for the flight

• put a tag with your name, phone and email inside and outside, without your home address;
• photograph the suitcase and its contents before the trip: it speeds up tracing and supports a claim;
• remove old tags and stickers with barcodes from previous flights;
• pack a change of clothes and essentials for the first day in your cabin bag;
• a tracker in the suitcase helps show the tracing desk where it is but does not replace the airport report.

If the suitcase is damaged

Report damage at the baggage tracing desk before leaving the baggage hall: later it is harder to prove the suitcase was damaged in transit. The airline may repair or replace the suitcase or pay compensation allowing for wear. Many airlines' conditions exclude ordinary wear, scratches and scuffs.

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