Can I sue an airline for losing my luggage?

Airlines will likely want to stay out of court, so you must file a Property Irregularity Report (PIR) to increase your likelihood of a settlement. If that doesn't work, file a claim in small claims court. That doesn't require an attorney, but each state has maximum limits regarding what you can recover.



Yes, you can technically sue an airline for lost luggage, but the process is usually governed and limited by international treaties like the Montreal Convention or domestic regulations (such as those from the U.S. Department of Transportation). As of 2026, these laws establish "maximum liability limits" that cap the amount an airline is required to pay, regardless of the actual value of your belongings. In the U.S., the limit for domestic flights is approximately $4,700 per passenger, while international flights are capped around $2,100 to $2,300. Before suing, you are required to exhaust the airline's internal claims process. Most successful legal actions are taken in "Small Claims Court" when an airline refuses to pay these established amounts or fails to reimburse for essential "interim" expenses. However, you generally cannot sue for "emotional distress" caused by the lost bag; the law treats the loss as a contractual and economic failure rather than a personal injury.

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If the value of your lost bags and their contents is more than $1,500, you can submit a claim form with documentation and receipts to claim up to $3,800 for domestic U.S. flights.

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When it came to airlines that lost the most baggage, that same study found that Atlanta-based Delta Air Lines came in ninth out of 17 major airlines. “Of all national airlines, American Airlines lost the most bags in 2022, losing 850 bags per 100,000.

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American Airlines is the number one worst airline for losing or damaging your luggage, with 5.34 incidents per 1,000 bags. Although it's a low percentage compared to the total number of bags checked, American Airlines still takes the dubious distinction of being the airline most likely to lose your luggage.

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Normally, passengers can expect to see their checked bags anywhere from 15 to 45 minutes after arrival, according to Nick Gates, a director at SITA, an aviation technology company. An airport's size, passenger capacity and the degree of modernization in its bag handling all play a role.

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Most claim forms will ask you to list everything that was in the bag, including purchase dates and even original receipts for items over a certain dollar amount. Keep in mind that depreciation does apply; don't expect to get full reimbursement for a suit you bought five years ago for $300.

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Leaving bags unattended for an extended period may put them at risk of damage or theft, so after an hour, airlines will remove the bags from the carousel for safety reasons.

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Assemble a detailed list of contents for your lost bags. Any receipts or other proof of the items will be helpful. There are several exceptions to what airlines will cover in terms of packed items, but you should be able to get reimbursed for most of the contents you can account for.

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How much money does Southwest give you if they lose your luggage? If your luggage is lost, you are owed as much as $3,800 for a domestic flight and $1,850 for an international flight.

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A typical baggage claim area contains baggage carousels or conveyor systems that deliver checked baggage to the passenger. The baggage claim area generally contains the airline's customer service counter for claiming oversized baggage or reporting missing or damaged baggage.

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Delayed baggage means your checked luggage has not arrived at your destination on time. It is generally considered to be lost after 21 days for most international airlines and 5-14 days for U.S. carriers.

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1. Singapore Airlines: The Singapore flag-carrier has been named Airline of the Year at the Skytrax World Airline Awards 2023 in Paris. Click through the gallery to see the best of the rest.

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Yes, you're allowed to put your AirTag in your checked luggage.

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In general, your personal item should be smaller than your carry-on and under the specific airline's carry-on dimensions, allowing it to fit under the seat in front of you. In most cases, backpacks are considered personal items as long as they fit under the seat in front of you.

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Visit the Southwest Email Us page. Click Expense Reimbursement Request, and then click Next. Fill out the form with a description, expense information, and your contact information, and attach your receipts.

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Lost luggage reimbursement. If you or an immediate family member check or carry on luggage that is damaged or lost by the carrier, you're covered up to $3,000 per passenger.

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Passengers may return to the airport to pick up their item or may approve someone else, in writing, to do so. Items can be shipped back to the owner at the owner's expense.

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A stolen luggage report can also be filed with the airport police, in the event your property is recovered on baggage handlers or other employees. If you believe items may have been stolen during security screening, you can also file a report with the TSA.

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On flights within the U.S., airlines are responsible for lost-luggage reimbursement up to $2,500 per person; on international flights, airlines owe you a mere $9.07 per pound, with a ceiling of $640. (That rate was set by an international treaty in 1929.)

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