Now that we are all out and about again, I think this is a good time to talk about this dreaded situation: what to do when you realize you've left something behind on the plane or in the airport. So I've put together the things to consider and actions to take when that happens.
I hope it hasn't happened to you, of course, and never does. But you might encounter someone in that situation while you're traveling, and you'll be able to offer help when they need it most. You'll be the hero they didn't know existed and they'll wonder where you got such smarts (wink, wink).
So let's go step by step. Once you've realized you've lost something, you'll undoubtedly panic. After about 30 seconds of that, calm down and think this through...
If You’re Still in the Airport Inside the Secure Area quickly head back to the gate. Hopefully, the plane hasn’t left yet. If it’s still at the gate, there’s most likely a cleaning crew on the plane. Explain your situation to the gate agent and they should be able to retrieve your left-behind item.
If You’re Still in the Airport, But Outside the Secure Area go straight to your airline’s baggage desk, check-in desk, or the customer service desk and ask them to call the arrival gate attendant (some can even radio the cleaning crew on the plane? Having your boarding pass or other source of flight information (flight number, origin/destination, seat number) handy so they can help you quickly.
If You’ve Left the Airport contact the baggage services department of the airline. If you’re not too far away, consider heading back to the airport; you’ll probably find it easier to have an in-person conversation than doing it over the phone. It may be possible to reach out on the airline’s social media, especially the airline’s Twitter account, I am told. If it’s been more than two hours and the plane has most likely left, your next step is to call the airline’s customer service line and file a lost and found report. With some airlines, this might be an online process. Tip: If your item is electronic, try the device’s location services.
Deadlines for reporting lost items on airlines range from seven to 30 days, so the sooner you report your item the better. Airlines will not assume responsibility for your property, but most do their best to reunite you with it.
Here is lost-and-found contact information for domestic carriers and major airports:
Domestic/North America Airlines’ Lost and Found Claim Contact Information
Air Canada (online form available)
Alaska Airlines (online form available)
Allegiant Air (call 866-719-3910)
American Airlines (online form available)
Delta Air Lines (online form available)
Frontier Airlines (online form available)
JetBlue (online form available)
Southwest Airlines (online form available)
Spirit Airlines (contact airport or baggage office directly)
United Airlines (online form available)
Lost and Found Claim Contact Information for Major U.S. Airports
‘til next week.
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