How to get back items you've lost on a flight

On our last flight back home, we lost my daughter’s beloved Bun Bun: her comforter since birth. He was well-travelled and had returned home safely on many overseas trips. Except this one.

It was really a team effort. Usually I am the one to sweep hotel rooms upon departure, turning over every quilt, looking under beds and opening every single cupboard, drawer and balcony to spot any forgotten items.

But this time was different. Upon arrival, my youngest daughter got sick and covered her screen in vomit. This made my eldest – who is usually the spewer on descent – freak out and throw her toys in the air. Between calming everyone down, collecting (and cleaning) belongings, we ran out of the plane the minute we could. Getting home after 1am, we put the girls to bed and of course, Bun Bun was requested. After turning our hand luggage inside out, we realised Bun Bun was still on the plane. Cue panic. Here’s what to do when your belongings are stuck on the plane:

Act fast

Act fast if teddy goes awol.

As soon as you realise you’ve lost something, contact the airline immediately. Most airlines have a system for lost property. If you’ve just stepped off the plane, go straight back to the gate and inform the ground staff. If you’re a bit further along, hunt down the airline’s customer service or baggage desk. Leave your luggage at the carousel, speed is of the essence!

Tell them exactly what was lost, where you think it is, your flight number, seat number and what it looks like. If it’s a night flight and the crew has just deboarded, there’s a slim chance someone can check the aircraft before it’s cleaned or heads off again. At this juncture the realist in me was already Googling replacements. Even if the original does turn up, clearly we needed a back up (and no, we didn’t have one).

File a lost item report immediately

Emirates has a slick lost property retrieval system.

Every airline has a digital lost-and-found form these days. We flew Emirates and to their credit, the airline has a pretty slick system; you fill out the details and describe the item – be as detailed as possible.  I added photos and the emotional backstory. I may have used the phrase “her most prized possession.” 

For the next 12 to 24 hours, Emirates responded with multiple status reports. “The item hasn’t been found yet, but we are still looking.” There was hope. Depending on the airline, keep your reference number handy.

Follow up regularly

Items left behind are usually found by the cleaning crew and taken to the airline’s lost property department. The tricky part is if the department often operates in a different city to where you landed – your item might get routed through multiple locations before it’s traced. Some airlines are responsive, others less so. You need to be persistent but polite.

Accept the possibility of heartbreak

Hold on tight to those furry friends.

After 48 hours, Emirates called off the search. The airline let us know they hadn’t found anything, but will be in touch if they do.

We waited, we hoped, but unfortunately for our family, Bun Bun was never found. Chances are he is still lodged somewhere, deep behind the back row of an A380.

Always, always check the seat pocket, floor, under blankets and make sure all your items are with you before you leave the plane. For parents, consider back ups or designated “plane toys” that are replaceable. For the ones that aren’t, have clear images of them. Because when it comes to flying with kids, we’re all just one bunny away from a life lesson.

Originally published as How to get back items you've lost on a flight