While airlines usually try to help in cases of inadvertent suitcase swaps, it’s important to point out that legally, they are not compelled to make you whole. While a multi-country agreement called the Montreal Convention guarantees fliers certain compensation for losses incurred during international flights, luggage protection only applies to checked bags, not what you bring on board.
“When you check a bag, it’s quite literally in the system and goes into the airline’s possession,” explained Sarah Silbert, industry insider and managing editor at Points Path, an online airline ticketing tool. “With a carry-on bag, it’s kind of a black box. Yes, the airline knows you’re bringing a bag on, but they’re not tracking it the same way. There isn’t the same legal requirement involved.”
If you’ve left the airport and are already in your new destination city, the airline should help connect you with the person who took your bag if they reach out. However, you might incur shipping costs, since it technically comes down to customer error.
“While they don’t have a formal responsibility to reunite you with your belongings, most carriers will do their best to do so,” Silbert added.
