Where Did My Luggage Go? The Complete Guide to Handling Lost Baggage + A Golden Tip to Save the Day
If you’ve returned from abroad and discovered that your suitcase didn’t come back with you, you’re not alone. This is exactly what happened to me last week when I returned from New York with El Al, via a connecting flight in the USA. A personal story that turned into an important lesson, with one small tip that can make a huge difference: AirTag.
It Started with a Too-Short Connection
After a domestic flight in the USA, I had about a 70-minute connection for my El Al flight to Israel. What I didn’t know was that this time wasn’t enough to transfer my luggage to the next flight. Just an hour before landing in Israel, a flight attendant approached me and updated: the pilot received a report from the tower – the luggage remained at JFK, New York. (Don’t ask me how he gets this report – that’s how it was)
Lost and Found Department at Ben Gurion Airport – How Does It Work?
Instead of going to the carousels and not finding the baggage, I went directly to the Lost and Found Department at Ben Gurion Airport, located to the right of the green customs passage. The clerk there was calm and professional: within seconds she checked the system and told me – the luggage didn’t make it onto the flight, but it was likely already loaded onto the next El Al flight, which would land in about 5 hours.
Home Delivery or Self-Pickup?
Usually, the company arranges to send the luggage to your home – a process that typically takes two to three days. But I didn’t want to wait. The luggage contained important and valuable items. What helped me know exactly where they were? AirTag – a small technology that can change the entire picture.
What is AirTag and Why Should You Buy It?
Apple’s AirTag, and there’s a similar product for Samsung, is a small smart tag the size of a coin that connects to your smartphone and shows in real-time the location of the item it’s attached to. I placed one in each suitcase – and I was able to see that they were still at JFK 7 hours ago. Once they were on a flight – they couldn’t be tracked, which only reinforced the feeling that they were already in the air.
When the Luggage Arrived at Ben Gurion Airport – Before They Called Me
After a few hours at home, I checked again – and saw on the AirTag that the luggage was already at Ben Gurion Airport! No one had contacted me yet, but I didn’t wait – I went straight to the airport.
I traveled to Ben Gurion Airport and parked in the Pardes Arrivals parking lot. I arrived at the customs exit area, where there is a small “Lost and Found” counter. There is no physical representative there, but there is a black phone and a list of numbers for each airline. I called, explained that I could see my suitcases via the AirTag—and that I could even make them ring. The service staff were very courteous, gave me permission to enter the carousel area—and after a short search and a sound from the AirTag—I found them all!
Golden Tip for Every Traveler
Even if you don’t use an AirTag to track your suitcase all the time, in the event of a mishap—it can be the difference between days of uncertainty and full control of the situation. It’s a simple, convenient, and inexpensive solution—that anyone traveling with luggage should consider. The fear was that the suitcases were sent to another destination in the USA or remained in the country of origin. The AirTag gave me peace of mind at least to know where the suitcases were located.
Click here to purchase AirTag in various types
Bottom Line
Losing a suitcase is not the end of the world, especially if you know what to do.
It’s important to approach the Lost and Found department at Ben Gurion Airport, check the current status, and if you have an AirTag—you’ll find you’re a step ahead of everyone else.
🔗 Join the WhatsApp group and receive updates:
Click here
