Airline lost and found

Losing something on an airplane sucks. Not only have you lost something personal and valuable, you know in your heart of hearts that it's going to take a lot of effort and time to get it back. It's a hopeless cause, you think, but airlines contest they do their best to get items back to their rightful owners. Here's a quick guide to their policies, where to go and who to talk to.

American Airlines

Where are lost items stored? American baggage office at the airport.

How do I get my stuff back? Report your missing items at the American baggage office or the ticket counter. You can't report missing items over the phone.

How long do they keep items? Many weeks.

What do they do with unclaimed items? Send to a salvage company.

Delta

Where are lost items stored? Delta baggage office at the airport then transferred to Delta's Baggage Service Center in Atlanta.

How do I get my stuff back? Call Delta Baggage Service Center at 800-325-8224.

How long do they keep items? 10 days at the airport, then sent to Atlanta and kept there for three months.

What do they do with unclaimed items? Send to a salvage company.

Southwest Airlines

Where are lost items stored? Southwest baggage office at the airport then transferred to Southwest's Central Baggage Services warehouse in Dallas.

How do I get my stuff back? Call Southwest's Central Baggage Services Dept. at 214-792-5598.

How long do they keep items? Five business days at the airport, then months in Dallas.

What do they do with unclaimed items? Send to a salvage company.

United Airlines

Where are lost items stored? United baggage office at the airport.

How do I get my stuff back? Report missing items at the United baggage office at the airport, call 800-221-6903 or fill out an online report at united.com

How long do they keep items? At least 90 days.

What do they do with unclaimed items? Send to a salvage company.

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