What do airlines do with unclaimed bags?

Unclaimed Baggage: What Airlines Do With It

When you arrive at the airport to claim your luggage, you expect it to be there waiting for you. But what happens when your bag doesn’t show up?

Thousands of bags go unclaimed at airports every year. If you’re wondering what happens to these bags, here’s a look at the process:

1. The bag is held near the location where it was discovered. This is usually in the baggage claim area or near the gate where the flight arrived. The bag will be tagged with a notice that it is unclaimed.
2. After five days, the bag is transported to a central storage facility. The airline will usually have a dedicated facility where unclaimed bags are stored.
3. The bag is held in storage for 60 days. During this time, the airline will try to locate the owner of the bag. They will use the information on the bag tag to contact the passenger.
4. If the bag remains unclaimed after 60 days, it is either donated to charity or sold as salvage. The airline will usually donate the bag to a local charity. If the bag is not suitable for donation, it will be sold as salvage to recoup some of the storage costs incurred by the airline.

What to do if you lose your luggage

If you lose your luggage, you should immediately report it to the airline. The airline will file a lost luggage report and start the process of trying to locate your bag.

If your bag is not found within a few days, you should file a claim with the airline. The airline will reimburse you for the value of your lost luggage, up to a certain amount.

How to avoid losing your luggage

There are a few things you can do to avoid losing your luggage:

• Make sure your name and contact information are clearly visible on your luggage tags.
• Use a luggage lock to keep your bag secure.
• Arrive at the airport early so you have plenty of time to check in and claim your luggage.
• Keep track of your luggage at all times.