From check-in to arrivals: what really happens to your bags

As Heathrow’s baggage handlers prepare to strike, Hazel Plush reveals the journey your suitcase takes from the moment it leaves your hands

Heathrow is facing “baggage bedlam” this October half term, trade union Unite has warned, as 170 luggage-handling staff prepare to strike from October 20 to 30. It’s a wonder that anyone would check in a bag these days. From a two-week wait for luggage at Edinburgh Airport to the passenger claiming that Air France lost her wheelie case for two months, we’ve already seen a summer of woes more predictable than any arrivals hall carousel.

But if you can’t travel with hand luggage only, who is responsible for your bag’s safekeeping – and how can you maximise your chances of being reunited? Should you cling-film it? Use an AirTag? And how to ensure it’s first on the conveyor belt? We asked the experts.

After I’ve checked in my luggage, what happens to it?

“When you’re at bag drop, an electronic message is generated at the same time that your baggage tag is printed,” explains Spencer Conday, managing director of supply chain solutions at leading airport baggage handler DHL Supply Chain. “This is a BSM (baggage source message), and it is sent to various airport IT systems responsible for processing the bag.”

Your luggage is then identified and security-screened. “Identification is usually carried out using barcode scanners, though newer systems may use RFID (radio frequency identification) technology instead,” continues Conday.

“Once the bag is identified and secure, the next step in the process is to determine its timeliness. Is it early, on time or late? This dictates where the bag must go.

“Depending on the baggage system, early bags will go to storage until the appropriate release time. On-time bags will be delivered directly to the airline’s baggage handlers, loaded into metal containers called ULDs (unit load devices), and reconciled with the passenger manifest to ensure accurate records and the bag is authorised to load. This process is known as “make up”.

What can go wrong – and how does lost luggage work?

Staff strikes, airport issues and IT failures aside, passengers with connecting flights may be more likely to experience baggage issues – particularly if their transfer time is shortened by delays.

“If a bag [isn’t] on the same flight as the passenger, it will be forwarded on the next possible flight,” advises a spokesperson from Swissport, which handles around 677,000 bags per day for 800 airlines. “In the meantime, the bag is stored at the airport.”

Who’s responsible for my luggage – the airline or the airport?

It is the airline’s job, not the airport’s. They may handle the baggage themselves, or employ a specialist provider such as Swissport, Menzies or DHL Supply Chain.

What should I do if my bag never arrives?

Check the baggage hall: if the bag is heavy or there’s an issue with the carousels, it may be waiting elsewhere. Failing that, locate your airline’s baggage desk; the staff will ask for your baggage tag, from which they can track it.

Ask about compensation, and a refund if you’ve paid for checked-in bags. “Most airlines will reimburse you for the bare essentials,” the Civil Aviation Authority advises.

You will likely need to provide a detailed description, so having a clear photo of your luggage to hand is useful.

If I’m on a codeshare flight, which airline is responsible for my bags? Any lost-luggage claims should be made with the operating airline, not the one who sold you your ticket.

What if I’m flying on multiple airlines?

If your journey involves connecting flights with different airlines, check beforehand if you’ll need to reclaim and recheck your bags en route. If this isn’t necessary, the carrier that transports you to your final destination is responsible for delivering your baggage – so it’s with them that you’ll need to raise any issues.

What if I realise something has been stolen from my bag?

Contact the airline and your travel insurance provider immediately. Take photos of any damage to the suitcase or lock, and find item receipts if possible.

Should I wrap my bag in clingfilm? No. “Wrapping may cause friction between the item and the baggage system, which can lead to the bag getting damaged,” says DHL’s Conday.

I have a black suitcase – is a colourful one less likely to get lost? No – but it may help with identification, says Swissport’s spokesperson. “The colour of the baggage is not a trigger on whether or not a bag gets mishandled,” they advise, “but colour, stickers, ribbons and other identifiers can help speed up the process of reuniting passengers with their bags.”

Should I use an AirTag to keep tabs on my luggage?

Perhaps. Apple’s AirTag is a battery-powered tracking device, which emits a bluetooth signal that can be located via the Find My app.

As the senior content manager of airline rewards website headforpoints. com, Rhys Jones flies at least once a week – always with his AirTag. “It’s peace of mind,” he explains. “And when I’m at the luggage belt, I already know if my bag has arrived.”

How else can I stop my bag from going missing?

As well as photographing your luggage for ID purposes, take a snap of your airline baggage tag. If it’s stuck to the back of your boarding pass, move it somewhere less vulnerable.

My suitcase zip is dodgy – what if my bag bursts en route?

Your belongings will be delivered in a plastic bag. “Bags that spill can cause serious disruption,” says Conday. “When this happens, the bag is identified by people who gather the contents and put them into a clear plastic bag. The damaged bag and its contents are then manually processed.”

How can I ensure my bag is first on the reclaim carousel?

Other than a “priority” tag for business- and first-class baggage, there’s no guaranteed way to beat the queue – although rumour has it, the last bags to be checked in are often the first on the carousel. Other tips include using a “fragile” sticker, so your bag is loaded last.

I’m travelling with hand luggage only. Is it safe to leave my bag in a tray while I go through security? “This is one of the most secure parts of any airport,” one spokesperson from a major London airport told Telegraph Travel. Speaking anonymously, they advised: “Never be complacent, but security is full of high-tech cameras and trained staff – the ones you see, and the ones you don’t. Thieves know this.”

g Handing over one’s prized possessions: but will your luggage be safe?