Recovery usually takes 3–10 days, depending on where your item landed. Below is exactly what your specialist does on your behalf, and when.
You fill out a short form — what the item is, where you last had it, and the flight or terminal details. Takes about two minutes. The moment you submit, a specialist is assigned and a case file is created in our system.
If anything in your claim is ambiguous, your specialist will reach out within the hour with a few clarifying questions. The more specific the details, the faster we can route the search.
Flight number, date, arrival/departure terminal, seat number if you remember it, and a detailed item description — brand, model, color, distinguishing features, contents if it's a bag.
We search all relevant lost-and-found databases — airline systems, airport holding facilities, ground service operators, and partner logistics companies. Most airports use different systems that don't talk to each other; we know which one to check first based on where you lost it.
We file formal claims with every relevant party: the airline's central lost & found, the airport's own department, TSA if it passed through security, and any ground services like shuttles or rental counters you used.
Items often end up in the wrong department. A phone left on a plane might sit with airline crew, airport cleaners, or gate staff — three different systems. Checking only one cuts your recovery odds by up to 67%.
You'll hear from your specialist on a predictable schedule — first update within 24 hours, then every 2–3 days depending on how active the search is. No auto-replies, no ticket numbers to reference, no waiting on hold.
When a promising match surfaces, we'll ask you to verify details before claiming it. When something's a dead end, we'll tell you straight rather than stringing you along.
Email by default. You can also enable SMS or WhatsApp updates in your case settings, or request phone calls during our operating hours (9 AM – 9 PM EST, daily).
When we locate your item, you'll get a Return Form with two choices: pick it up directly, or let us ship it to you. If you're still traveling, we can hold it and coordinate delivery to a later address.
Shipping is handled by FedEx, UPS, or DHL depending on destination, with optional insurance for high-value items. We coordinate directly with the custodian — you don't have to make a single phone call.
Across all categories, about 72% of items we pursue are recovered. Phones and laptops sit closer to 80%; small items like earbuds or jewelry are harder, around 55%. We tell you the realistic odds upfront.
Airline lost-and-found teams are understaffed and handle thousands of claims a week. Yours will sit in a queue. We have direct contacts and know how to escalate appropriately.
That phone you left at the gate might get logged at a different airport three hops later. We track items across the whole network, not just your starting point.
Lost your item in Madrid or Mumbai? Our specialists handle foreign airports in-language, cutting through phone trees and local procedures that stall most claims.