What are my rights regarding a potential baggage delay?
In a few days, I will be traveling from San Francisco -> Helsinki -> Moscow (Sheremetyevo) with Finnair (economy class).
A month ago passengers started to experience substantial delays to pick up their baggage and based on my understanding the situation has not fully been resolved. It looks like the airport tried to alleviate the situation, deploying some measures:
- additional dispatchers and supervisors are deployed in the baggage claim area to interact with passengers and to provide them with the most recent information;
- if the waiting period for baggage exceeds 30 minutes, passengers who can no longer wait can submit applications for the free delivery to their indicated addresses at the counter in the baggage claim area.
Being in a foreign country, after a long flight, I am not really a fan of spending a few unnecessary hours in the airport. So, the first solution is not really helpful for me, the second might be helpful depending on how is it implemented.
Being aware that the airport/airline will try to downplay the situation as much as they could, I wanted to ask:
- what are my rights regarding the delayed baggage?
- how much wait time is acceptable and what can I do to keep airport/finnair accountable?
- if I have any rights, what is the right approach to enforce them?
P.S. I read a similar question about potential delays, but my situation is different. I do not have separate tickets. I bought everything via Finnair (just the second leg will be administered via Aeroflot)
Best Answer
What are my rights regarding delayed baggage?
Finnair’s baggage policy states their liability for baggage delay is limited to 1,131 SDRs (approximately EUR 1,200). The air carrier is liable for destruction, loss or damage to baggage up to 1,131 SDRs (approximately EUR 1,200). In the case of checked baggage, it is liable even if not at fault, unless the baggage was defective. In the case of unchecked baggage, the carrier is liable only if at fault. If the baggage has not been insured for its full value the passenger can benefit from a higher liability limit by making a special declaration at the latest at check-in and by paying a supplementary fee.
How much wait time is acceptable?
I could not find a definitive answer other than the timeframes in (3) below
How do I enforce my rights?
Finnair’s baggage policy states that if the baggage is damaged, delayed, lost or destroyed, the passenger must write and complain to the air carrier as soon as possible. In the case of damage to checked baggage, the passenger must write and complain within seven days, and in the case of delay within 21 days, in both cases from the date on which the baggage was placed at the passenger's disposal.
See also EU air passenger rights
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Can you get compensated for delayed baggage?
Under DOT regulations (for domestic travel) and international treaties (for international travel), airlines are required to compensate passengers if their bags are damaged, delayed, or lost.How much can you claim for delayed luggage?
Lost or delayed luggage on a US domestic flight If the airline misplaced your luggage on a domestic flight in the United States, you may claim up to $3,500 according to the Department of Transportation (DOT).What do I do if my baggage is delayed?
Start with these important steps:Who is responsible for baggage accountability?
The Transportation Security Administration is responsible for providing the equipment and personnel to screen passengers and baggage at every airport, and responding to increases in passenger load Airports work with local TSA officials to improve security checkpoints.Your Rights When Bags Are Delayed
Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Images: Gustavo Fring, Andrea Piacquadio, Laker, Ivan Samkov