A lost baggage claim starts at the airport, not at home. If your bag does not appear on the belt, or arrives damaged, you must report it to the airline before you leave the arrival hall. Also, this guide shows the steps in order, the deadlines that matter and where to escalate if the airline stalls.

Quick answer

  • First step: file a Property Irregularity Report (PIR) at the airline desk before leaving the baggage hall.
  • Damaged bag: complain in writing within 7 days of receiving it, under the Montreal Convention for international flights.
  • Delayed bag: complain in writing within 21 days of receiving it.
  • Bag not found: it can be treated as lost if it has not arrived 21 days after it should have.
  • Escalation: airline grievance officer, then AirSewa, then a consumer commission.

Step one: file a PIR before you leave

Go to the airline’s baggage desk in the arrival hall. Show your boarding pass and bag tag, and describe the bag. Ask for a copy of the PIR with its reference number, because every later claim depends on it.

Take photos of the bag and note its contents. For a damaged bag, photograph it at the belt, before you leave. Also write down the name of the officer who helped you.

Step two: track the bag

Airlines usually track delayed bags through a global system, and the PIR reference lets you check progress. Still, keep your boarding pass and tag until the matter is settled. If the bag is delivered, check the lock and zip on the spot and sign only after you look inside.

Lost baggage claim deadlines to remember

For international trips, the Montreal Convention sets the clock. So, a complaint about damage must be made in writing within 7 days of receiving the bag. For delay, the complaint is due within 21 days of delivery.

A bag that has not arrived 21 days after it should have is treated as lost. Domestic rules differ in detail, so read your airline’s conditions of carriage and the DGCA’s passenger rules on the DGCA website. Also, the safest habit is to write to the airline within a week, whichever flight you took.

How much can you claim

For international flights, the Montreal Convention caps airline liability for baggage in a special unit called SDR. The limit was raised to 1,519 SDR in December 2024, according to one travel guide we reviewed, so confirm the current rupee value before you claim. Domestic limits are set by DGCA rules and airline terms, and they are far lower per passenger.

Whatever the limit, you can claim only for what you can show. So keep receipts, photos and a list of items. Original bills help most for expensive things such as electronics.

Write the claim, then escalate

Email the airline’s customer relations team with the PIR, bag tag, boarding pass, photos and receipts. State what you lost, its value and what you expect. Keep the tone factual.

If you get no useful reply, write to the airline’s grievance redressal officer. Next, file a complaint on AirSewa, the civil aviation ministry’s portal. If that fails, a consumer commission is the last option.

Common mistakes

The most common error is leaving the airport without a PIR. The second is waiting for weeks before writing, so the deadline passes. Also, many people accept the airline’s first offer without checking it against the receipts they hold.

For other rights on the same trip, see our guide to denied boarding compensation in India.

FAQ

What is a PIR in air travel?

A PIR is a Property Irregularity Report. You file it with the airline when your bag is missing, delayed or damaged. It records your complaint and gives you a reference number.

How long does an airline take to find a lost bag?

Many bags turn up within days. If the bag has not arrived 21 days after it should have, it can be treated as lost, and you can then file your claim.

Can I claim if I did not file a PIR?

It is much harder. Without a PIR the airline can dispute that the bag was ever missing, so file one at the airport even if staff seem busy.