There is not much you can do about your traveling circumstances, especially when a flight is delayed due to natural disasters such as an epic winter storm that has swept across the land or an inevitable issue within the airplane. What happens to my luggage if my flight is delayed?
In such situations, initially handing over and then leaving your checked luggage with the airline authorities seems like a leap of faith nowadays that most passengers are unwilling to take. They fear having their luggage lost, delayed, damaged, and stolen.
Understandably, all your concerns are valid because no one likes losing out on their personal belongings, but you should always know your passenger rights for what happens to my luggage if my flight is delayed.
What Happens To My Luggage If My Flight Is Delayed?
In such cases, where the flight has suffered an unanticipated delay, and you choose not to consider alternatives and instead rely on the compensation to be provided by the airlines. Mostly, the airlines will try their best to have your passenger checked luggage re-routed to the final destination through the next plane you board.
Meanwhile, you await the next flight, your luggage remains with the airline authorities, and it is their concern and responsibility to look after your suitcases and make sure they are delivered to you safely at the end of your trip.
Luggage Retrieval
Let’s suppose that the delay the flight has suffered is unendurable for you and has led to you deciding to take an alternative flight or not board the flight at all, or if no other substitute options are available, you have the option for luggage retrieval.
A delayed flight does not have to indicate suffering for you, and by retrieving your luggage by contacting the airline and following their provided instructions for luggage retrieval, you are no longer bound to stay at the airport waiting on another potential flight option.
You can visit the precise airline’s baggage office or designated service counter and request your luggage, collect it, and be on your way out of the misery that comes with accompanying a delayed flight.
Delay Defined By DOT (Department Of Transportation)
Most of the time, airlines take measures when flights are delayed to ensure that their passengers are comfortable when they wait to be boarded on the plane. Such as providing hotel accommodation or rebooking customers on the flight which is available next.
However, not all airlines look out for their passengers despite the USA Department Of Transportation (DOT) issued regulations, as they do not think the flight delay is significant enough to be compensated for.
Per DOT rules, a passenger can be entitled to a complete refund of the cost of their ticket if they decide not to proceed with their original itinerary or if they choose not to accept a rebooking the airline is offering for the delay.
Initially, DOT did not define the term “delay,” which led to the airlines having full discretion over exploiting their customers and making them wait long hours. However, recently, and in August of 2022, DOT proposed a rule that spelled out the exact terms for what would constitute a “significant delay” for airlines to protect passengers and grant them rights and a position to ask for compensation from.
Airlines are to compensate any traveler affected by a delay if the delay falls into one of the following categories:
- Arrival or departure times have been delayed by three or more hours for a domestic flight and six or more hours for an international flight.
- Airport for arrival or departure changes.
- If there is an increase in the number of connecting itineraries.
- If there is a downgrade in air travel amenities or experience for boarded passengers due to changes in the airplane being flown.
Ways To Protect Your Luggage
Are you Boarding a flight worried about losing any of your luggage? Abide by our stated ways to protect your luggage, and rest assured your luggage will be safe, undamaged, and not lost!
Photograph Luggage
It is not only crucial that you take singular pictures of all the suitcases that you are checking in as luggage before taking a flight. But we also highly advise our readers that while planning or packing, spread the contents of your luggage out on the bed and take their pictures.
The reason for proposing this is that if the bag has been withdrawn earlier by someone else or is difficult to retrieve, these pictures will serve as evidence for the bag’s brand name, color, size, and contents.
Track Luggage
With the rapidly evolving technology, airlines have also advanced, allowing passengers to see their luggage’s status within the airline’s app. This will give you consolation and continuous insight into where your luggage is in case the flight or the luggage is delayed.
Another option is to AirTag your bags using the Apple AirTag. You must place the AirTag device in your luggage and connect it to your iPhone.
Double-Check Luggage’s Tag Destination
After all your luggage has been tagged, double-check and reconfirm to determine whether the bags have been tagged according to where you are traveling. Undertake this step, especially when doing a curbside check-in.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS)
Can you get your bags if the flight is delayed?
Yes, you can get your bags when the flight is delayed by contacting the airline and requesting luggage retrieval.
How much will airlines reimburse for delayed luggage?
Per DOT, airlines can be responsible for up to $3800 for luggage delayed or lost on domestic flights.
How does lost luggage get returned?
Lost luggage is usually returned to the airline so the owners can later collect it from the airport.
What happens to my luggage if my flight is rescheduled?
Checked luggage will be transferred to the new flight by the airline.
Conclusion
There is no reason for you to stress yourself about what happens to my luggage if my flight is delayed because transferring and safeguarding the luggage is your airline’s responsibility. If the airline fails to fulfill its job, you have the right to compensation!
