Your suitcase hasn’t just 'gone missing' - from the moment it fails to appear on the carousel, the clock starts on what you need to do next if you want the best chance of getting it back quickly and not being left out of pocket. The first steps you take in the airport can shape everything that follows, from tracing the bag to reclaiming the cost of essentials you’re forced to buy.

The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) says passengers should report missing baggage to their airline or the baggage handling desk before leaving the airport and complete a Property Irregularity Report (PIR), which creates an official record of the case. That paper trail is important because, as the CAA explains, airlines are generally given the opportunity to trace and return delayed baggage before it is formally considered lost.

While the airline searches, you may need to replace items you were expecting to have in your case. The CAA’s guidance indicates you may be able to recover the cost of “reasonable” essential purchases made because your baggage was delayed, but you’ll normally need to keep receipts and be ready to show the spending was necessary. In practice, airlines can differ in what they’ll reimburse, so it’s usually safest to stick to basics such as toiletries and a change of clothes and keep itemised proof of purchase.

If your flight is covered by international rules, compensation is underpinned by the Montreal Convention 1999, which sets out airline liability for lost, delayed and damaged baggage. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) notes that compensation is subject to financial limits under the Convention and the amount awarded can depend on the circumstances of each claim. Because evidence can make or break a case, it helps to keep hold of documents such as boarding passes, baggage tags, the PIR reference number, receipts for essential items and any correspondence with the airline.

Deadlines can also be crucial. Which? warns that strict time limits can apply depending on whether luggage is delayed, damaged or declared lost, and advises passengers to make claims as soon as possible. That means it’s worth checking your airline’s claim process promptly, even if you’re still waiting for updates on where your bag is.

Travel insurance can provide another route to recovering money, particularly if your losses go beyond what the airline will reimburse. The Association of British Insurers (ABI) says many travel insurance policies include cover for delayed or lost baggage, though policy limits and excesses vary between providers, so passengers should check the details of their own policy.

If the airline rejects your claim and you believe you’ve been treated unfairly, there may be escalation options. The CAA says passengers may be able to take their complaint to an approved alternative dispute resolution (ADR) scheme if the airline is a member, or consider legal action where appropriate. Losing luggage is never a good start to a trip, but reporting it immediately, keeping evidence of your costs and acting within the relevant deadlines can give you the best chance of being reimbursed.