Airports are busy, noisy places, and it only takes a moment to leave a phone at a gate, a jacket in a security bin or a bag at a café table. The good news is that items found in airports are usually handed in and stored for a period of time. The key to getting yours back is knowing who is most likely to have it, and reporting the loss quickly with the right details.
Act quickly, while you are still at the airport
If you notice the loss before you leave, go back to where you last had the item if you can do so safely, and ask the nearest staff member. Gate agents, security officers and shop staff often know whether something has just been handed in. If you have already boarded or left the airport, do not worry. Most airport lost and found systems are designed for travelers who only notice something is missing hours or days later.
Work out who is likely to have your item
An airport is not one organization. Several groups operate side by side, and each may keep its own lost and found. Where you lost the item usually tells you who to contact:
- At the security checkpoint: items left in screening bins are usually held by the security screening authority, which often runs a separate lost and found from the airport itself.
- In the terminal, restrooms, gates or parking: these are typically handled by the airport's own lost and found office.
- On the aircraft or at the airline counter: contact the airline. Items left on a plane are normally handled by the airline, not the airport (see our guide on reporting a lost item on an airline).
- In a shop, restaurant or lounge: ask the business directly first, as some keep items for a short time before passing them on.
- In a rental car, taxi or shuttle: contact that company, since those items rarely reach the airport.
What to include in your lost item report
Airports handle a large volume of similar-looking items, especially phones, chargers, headphones and bags. A detailed description makes a match far more likely:
- The date, approximate time and terminal or gate where you lost it
- Your flight number, if you were traveling
- A clear description: brand, model, color, size and any damage or wear
- Unique identifiers: stickers, engravings, a phone case, a lock screen image or a serial number
- Contents of bags or wallets (without sharing full card numbers)
- Reliable contact details, including an email address you check regularly
Photos of the item, or a receipt showing the serial number, can also help staff confirm that you are the owner when the item is found.
How items are returned
Once your item is matched, you will usually be asked to verify ownership, for example by describing something only the owner would know or showing identification. If you are still nearby you may be able to collect it. If you have already traveled home, many airports can ship items to you. Shipping and handling fees are normally paid by the traveler, and some items, such as lithium batteries or liquids, may have shipping restrictions.
How long airports keep lost items
Holding periods vary by airport and by type of item. Many locations keep general items for a period of weeks, while identity documents and payment cards are often handed to the relevant authority or destroyed for security reasons much sooner. Because every policy is different, report your loss as soon as possible. Our guide on how long organizations keep lost items explains more.
Report your lost item
Start by selecting Aviation on our home page and searching for the airport by name, city or airport code. If the airport is part of the Official Lost Recovery Network℠, you will be taken straight to its official lost and found portal. If it is not, our team can file the report on your behalf. A Lost Item Reporting Fee applies to that service.