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Gatwick Airport Lost Luggage ... |
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As stated by the British Airports Authority each individual airline are responsible for the security and management of your suitcases and bags.
Therefore, if your luggage does go missing in transit you must report your luggage lost to the lost baggage desk at the airport stating the airline you are travelling with. |
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- Before you leave Gatwick Airport the first thing you must make sure you do is to report your lost luggage to the Lost Baggage desk at the airport.
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| You will need to describe your luggage as best as you can, you'll then be given a reference number so you can get a status report of the progress being made on finding your lost luggage by phone or online. |
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| You might be asked to list the contents of your lost luggage, plus need to provide original receipts for the contents. This is because your airline is acting as if it where an insurance company. Like insurance companies they are unlikely to offer compensation that will match your claim in full. |
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| Some airlines only declare your luggage lost after a specified amount of time, not instantly. i.e. British Airways wait 21 days. |
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| Once declared officially lost most airlines say they are limited by the Montreal Convention to paying customers around £800 per person in compensation for lost baggage. |
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| Your airline may try and get you to claim for lost luggage on your travel insurance, however many insurers do not cover valuables which are packed in bags that are stowed in the hold of the aircraft. |
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| Connecting Flights |
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If you've been travelling on connecting flights you might have been able to check in your bag for the entire journey at the first point of check-in.
If so and something happens to your bags you can claim against any of the airlines that carried it, although they will all try to blame each other airline and refuse to handle the claim.
When they do so they are in breach of the Montreal Convention. |
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| Limited Release Tags |
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Certain items at check-in are given a Limited Release Tag (LRT) like musical instruments, sporting equipment (surfboards) or prams and buggies.
The LRT is intended to remove the airline’s liability if the item is damaged and you may find that the airline refuses your claim. However, if an airline accepts an item as checked baggage it must accept liability for it as set out in the Montreal Convention. |
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Gatwick Airport Delayed Luggage ... |
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| The Montreal Convention states that a passenger's baggage is termed as 'delayed' for a period of 21 days after it is reported as missing. |
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Some airlines, for delayed baggage, offer travellers an immediate one-off payment at a set amount to cover emergency purchases like toiletries and underwear.
Others will pay a set amount of compensation per day up to a maximum number of days. Whilst others will not make cash payments at the time but will prefer to reimburse you on essential items on seeing receipts.
But the general principle is to cover essential costs resulting from the delay to delivery of the baggage. |
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| When missing for after 21 days they are deemed as officially lost and you can then proceed to make arrangements with your airline or travel insurance company to claim compensation. |
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Gatwick Airport Damaged Baggage... |
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When assessing the claim for damaged bags most airlines make a payment based on the value of the damaged luggage or on any of its damaged contents.
You could be asked for original receipts for the items and most apply a scale of depreciation to the contents to any payment made. If it is just one bag or suitcase that is damaged you could be offer a new one from their store cupboard. |
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Gatwick Airport Stolen Items ... |
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When specific items are missing from your luggage it can be very difficult to get compensation from any airline as it's difficult to prove that the items were there in the first place.
This is a good reason to use good quality, secure luggage,and don't put valuables in any baggage that's checked into the hold. Also, never travel without travel insurance.
Often there are clauses in the airline's terms and conditions stating that they do not accept responsibility for valuable or perishable goods (like mobile phones, camcorders, cameras, documents or jewellery).
Although many argue that these exclusions are compatible with the provisions of the Montreal Convention.
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| Try and protect your luggage as much as you can by following these simple tips: |
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- Keep a list of what's in your suitcase as an inventory if the worst happens and your bags are lost
- Add a piece of paper with your name and address inside each piece of luggage just in case the label on the outside of your bag falls off.
- Flymycase transport your luggage anywhere in the world for a small charge.
- Keep any receipts that you have for items in your bags in a safe place as you may need them if your bags are lost.
- Pack mobile phones, cameras and jewellery in your hand luggage as these items are often termed as 'unacceptable baggage items' so you will not be able to claim compensation if stowed in the aircraft hold.
- By using distinctive and brightly coloured luggage can prevent other passengers from mistaking your bags as theirs and will also deter thieves!
- Do not travel without travel insurance - our Travel Insurance Page provides some tips.
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Helpful Organisations ... |
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Use these links to websites which provide helpful advice if your bags happen to get lost. |
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Helpful Organisations |
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| Provide legal advice on lost luggage and insurance claims. |
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| Provide legal advice on insurance claims related to lost luggage. |
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| Service to trace lost baggage worldwide. |
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| Service which will fly your bags to your destination for a small fee. |
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| Air Transport Users Council |
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