Once you hit the tarmac and have finally landed safe and soundly, the only thing that separates you from your vacation is baggage claim. So you gather at the conveyor belt and wait. And wait some more, dreading the worst case scenario: your luggage isn't coming.

The most nerve-wracking part of flying: Where's my luggage? © Arina P Habich

Lost luggage is probably one of the worst things for air travelers. Especially on international flights, it's almost five times more likely for a suitcase to not just arrive too late, but disappear forever. According to a study by aviation technology company SITA, about 4.5 out of every 1,000 passengers experienced issues with their luggage in 2021. While in 70% of cases, it simply arrived late, 6% of checked baggage was permanently lost. Due to the immense staff shortage, the numbers for 2022 are likely to be even worse.

Probably one of the worst situations: You're waiting at the baggage carousel – and your suitcase never comes. © Chris Hardy

What happens to lost luggage?

It's clear that lost suitcases don't just vanish into thin air. So the question is: After weeks of trying, where does lost luggage eventually end up? By law, lost property and unclaimed bags and suitcases become the property of the airport after a period of three months. During this time, the airline and airport try to locate the owner or wait for the owner to show up and collect their luggage themselves*. And after that? The bags will go under the metaphorical hammer.

*Last chance: Many airports have granted travelers direct access to the baggage halls. Upon presentation of an ID card and the baggage tag, lost bag owners can go on the search themselves. With a little luck, you might find it before it becomes airport property.

Related: 5 Things You Should Definitely Bring on Vacation This Fall

If you've been keeping up with the chaos at airports this past year, you might know about the huge piles of unclaimed bags. © Shutterstock

Going once, going twice, sold!

Yes, you read that right: luggage that becomes the property of the airport, as well as various other lost and found items, are auctioned off. Of course, only after ensuring that there's no dangerous content such as weapons or medication inside. Customs also filters the suitcases for drugs, cash or food. 

The auctions are handled by private auction houses such as Karner & Dechow, who broker the lost luggage at Vienna Airport. You can also find what you are looking for at kofferauktion24.de: the platform acts on behalf of Lufthansa.

Blind luck?

The exciting thing about the auctions: they take place blind, meaning you won't know what's inside the suitcase you're bidding on. So you won't know whether the "surprise package" contains a Louis Vuitton bag or musty hiking clothes until after the purchase. 

Lost suitcases become the property of airports and are then auctioned off by private auction houses. © LightField Studios

The U.S.: Where the lost things go

Things get particularly curious in the United States, or more precisely in Scottsboro, Alabama. Here, the Unclaimed Baggage Shop has been selling lost suitcases and found objects from airports since 1970. In addition to water bottles, electronic devices, clothing items and other usual suitcase contents, there are some really bizarre things to discover. These include a life-size Tinkerbell figurine from Peter Pan, movie costumes or art, such as Basquiat facsimiles.

One man's loss is another man's gain

Many airports, such as Vienna or Stuttgart, hold their own auctions for charity. The profits from the auctions benefit social projects and associations. The Unclaimed Baggage Shop also donates part of its proceeds. That way, there's at least some good that comes of these unfortunate incidents.

What to do when the airport loses your luggage

No luggage? If you don't see your bags again, you're entitled to compensation from the airline. © American Green Travel

1. In case of lost or damaged luggage, you should take action directly at the airport: at the baggage service counter, you can fill out a so-called PIR form, short for Property Irregularity Report.
2. A written claim for damages must then be filed directly with the airline. If you were traveling with more than one line, send it to all of them for safety's sake. In Austria, Germany and Switzerland, the reporting deadline for delayed or lost baggage is 21 days from the time the bag was handed over to the airline. Damages must be claimed within seven days.
3. Last but not least, one thing is important: be sure to keep all receipts!

This is what you're entitled to

The damage claim for damaged and lost baggage is 1,131 Special Drawing Rights (SDR), which is up to €1,600 in Germany and Austria and around CHF 1,500.