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Luggage is handled by ground service companies, not the airline. It might be Aviator, Swissport, or some other company. Usually this information is available on the airport’s website, but you might have to do some digging to find which ground service handles which airline.
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You need to make a
PIR
- Property Irregularity Report, and get a report code. If the ground service fails to contact you with the report number, the airline can still trace your bag. -
You can track your luggage through an online service: http://www.worldtracer.aero/filedsp/dy.htm But each airline has their own version of that website, the above one is a generic one (but the system seems to be the same regardless of airline). Some are more usable than others.
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Apple AirTags work OK. But try them out first; I had issues getting notifications when leaving my bags so the location tracking seemed a bit tricky.
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Always keep a set of change clothes in your carry-on luggage.
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Always make a list of the items you packed, in case you need to make claims.
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Never pack anything valuable.
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Take a photo of your luggage, inside and out. This is useful when ground service staff will look for your luggage.
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A less generic bag might be better, i.e. one with a comic print is better than a standard black one.
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Take a photo of your filled-in forms (PIR reports).
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Note to self: Never again transport camera chargers in the luggage, always have them in the carry-on.
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Edinburgh airport is really particular about checking carry-on, and especially liquids. Prepare for that in check-in.
The points below are regulated by EU. You can find your local European Consumer Center from this page.
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Your luggage is considered as lost when 21 days have passed since it should have arrived.
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You are allowed compensation from the airline if your bag is considered lost (21 days).
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The airline is liable to pay up to 1 288 SDR (special drawing rights) per passenger. If you pack something of more value than that, it needs to be mentioned at check-in. The currency code is XDR. Here’s a currency converter.
Eventually I got my luggage back about 2 months after the trip. And apparently the problem wasn’t Edinburgh, but Copenhagen being renovated in July. I really wish there would have been a tracker in my luggage - it would have saved me hours waiting hopelessly at the Edinburgh airport.