Lufthansa baggage guide

Lufthansa delayed, lost or damaged baggage guide

Lufthansa links to delayed-bag reporting, baggage status updates, expense reimbursement and damage claims. BagBack is independent and is not affiliated with Lufthansa.

Reviewed 7 September 2026

01

Report the delayed bag and keep the Lufthansa PIR

Lufthansa says passengers should report delayed baggage immediately online or at airport baggage tracing. Stay until the details have been transmitted and you have received written confirmation where possible. Lufthansa's example PIR is FRALH12345; your own airport, airline characters and digits may differ.

Check the bag-tag number, every flight, your phone number and delivery address. The PIR identifies the baggage report, while the baggage-tag number identifies the checked item.

02

Track and amend the report through Lufthansa

Use Lufthansa's official baggage-status or Chat Assistant route with the PIR reference and surname. Lufthansa says the service can show progress, enable status updates and allow contact or delivery details to be amended.

BagBack is independent. It cannot see the WorldTracer or Lufthansa record, change an address, locate a bag or arrange delivery.

03

After five days, complete the contents list

Lufthansa says that if baggage has not been found within five days, a detailed description and contents list is needed for a deeper search. Its baggage-status page makes that list available after five days so the information can be compared with unidentified baggage.

Be specific and accurate. Do not include valuables that were not packed, and keep any photographs or receipts that help identify unusual contents.

04

After 48 hours, use the tracker-sharing invitation if offered

Lufthansa says that if the bag remains unidentified after 48 hours, passengers who consented to updates can receive an option to share an Apple Find My or Google Find Hub location link. Use the invitation or current baggage-status route rather than sending the link to a public account.

The tracker point is supporting information. It does not prove that the bag was loaded, replace the PIR or authorise collection from a restricted airport area.

05

Claim reasonable replacement purchases separately

Lufthansa directs passengers to a separate reimbursement form after the delayed bag has been reported. Keep itemised receipts and minimise the loss. Its current UK guidance says reusable clothing is generally reimbursed at 50% and toiletries or single-use items at 100%, with exceptions for the USA and Canada.

A PIR or status update is not the reimbursement claim. Submit the form and keep proof of the date and documents supplied.

06

Use Lufthansa's contact and next-step routes

If the status service cannot answer the question or amend the file, Lufthansa says the written report confirmation includes a contact telephone number. Its Help Centre also links report, manage-report, damage and reimbursement services.

Wait for delivery or collection instructions before travelling to an airport. If the bag remains missing beyond 21 days, use Lufthansa's loss reimbursement route and the lost-baggage evidence checklist.

Common questions

What passengers ask next.

How do I track delayed baggage with Lufthansa?

Use Lufthansa's official baggage-status service with the PIR reference and passenger surname from the delayed-baggage report. BagBack cannot access or update the record.

What does a Lufthansa PIR number look like?

Lufthansa gives the example FRALH12345: an airport code, airline code and five digits. Copy your own reference exactly because the airport and airline identifiers will depend on the report.

What happens if Lufthansa has not found the bag after five days?

Lufthansa says its baggage-status page makes a detailed contents list available after five days so the deeper search can compare your information with unidentified baggage.

How do I check a Lufthansa damaged-baggage claim status?

The delayed-baggage status service tracks the missing-bag report, not necessarily a later damage or reimbursement decision. Use the acknowledgement and contact route attached to the claim you submitted; BagBack cannot access its status.

Does a Lufthansa baggage report also make a compensation claim?

Do not assume so. The baggage report creates the tracing or damage record. The airline may require a separate written claim with receipts, values and supporting evidence.

What should I keep after reporting the bag?

Keep the PIR or file reference, bag-tag receipt, boarding pass, photographs, itemised purchase receipts and a copy of every form or message you submit.

Which deadline applies?

Check the airline’s current process immediately. Where the Montreal Convention applies, damage complaints are generally due within seven days of receiving the bag and delay complaints within 21 days of its return, but initial airline reporting windows may be shorter.