One of the realities of air travel is that sometimes your bags do not arrive at your destination with you. This is more likely to happen when you are on a hopping flight. So, while you get off from one plane to board another, your bags could be left behind.

Of course, this can lead to a lot of inconvenience and even anger, but there are a number of things you can do to make the experience less stressful. For starters, as soon as you discover that your bags are missing, do not leave the airport without making out a report. This will ensure that the airline knows that your bags are missing and try to find them for you or provide some compensation.

For instance, Jet Airways says that in case a bag is not recovered within 14 days, the airline will settle the passenger’s claim up to a maximum liability of ₹450 per kg of checked-in baggage for flights within the country.

For international travel, including domestic portions on the ticket, the liability limit for delay, damage or loss is $9.07 per pound ($20 per kg) for checked baggage. However, different airlines offer different compensation.

According to SpiceJet, its liability for loss or damage to baggage is limited to ₹200 per kg; with a maximum of ₹3,000. Further, the airline does not assume any liability for fragile or perishable articles.

 On Air India, if a lost bag cannot be found within 24 hours of a flyer reaching an international destination, then the airline gives a one-time interim expense of 50 British pounds, or equivalent in local currency. In India, this amount is ₹3,000. On domestic flights, if the baggage is delivered the following day or later, the maximum amount that the airline reimburses is ₹2,000. International carriers too offer compensation. For example, Lufthansa pays passengers for interim purchase, transportation and phone calls.  However, if the bag is not found, the passenger gets compensation within the maximum liability. The passenger has to give proof of the financial damage caused due to the missing baggage.

Decreasing incidence

Pointing out that occurrence of mishandled baggage has dropped in the past few years, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) says that lost baggage is generally a consequence of the baggage label getting detached.

“To allow identification of your bag in all situations make sure to have your name and telephone number appear outside of your bag along with your travel itinerary ,” IATA says, adding that when there is no clear way to identify a bag, an airline may be forced to break it open. 

Airlines advise passengers not to carry valuables such as jewellery and currency in their checked-in bags. Airlines are also not liable for loss, damage or delay in the delivery of fragile and perishable items.

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