English for Immigration: Vocabulary and Phrases for Lost Luggage

Updated: November 2025
Reading Time: 8 minutes

This article is part of our English for Immigration series by SmallTalk2Me – an AI-powered English Speaking Practice Platform designed to help you train English fluency through real-life conversation simulations.

Why Lost Luggage English Matters for Immigrants

Moving to an English-speaking country is an exciting journey, but dealing with lost or delayed luggage at the airport can be stressful if you're not confident with the right vocabulary. Knowing the correct English phrases to report missing items can save you time, reduce stress, and help you get your belongings back faster.

In this comprehensive guide, you'll learn essential vocabulary for describing your luggage, key questions to ask airline staff, practical dialogues to practice before your trip, and tips for successfully filing a lost luggage claim.

Looking for a complete resource? Check out our English for Immigration Guide

Lost Luggage Vocabulary in English

Before you approach the baggage claim desk, make sure you understand these common terms used in luggage-related conversations at the airport.

Types of Luggage

Suitcase – a large rectangular bag with wheels
Backpack / Rucksack – a bag carried on your back
Carry-on / Hand luggage – small bag taken on the plane
Checked baggage – luggage stored in the plane's cargo hold
Duffel bag – a soft cylindrical bag
Garment bag – a bag for transporting suits or dresses

Describing Your Luggage

Size

Small / Medium / Large / Extra-large
It's about (50) cm by (40) cm

Color

Black / Navy blue / Red / Grey / Brown

Material

Plastic / Polyester / Leather / Canvas / Hard-shell

Pattern

Plain / Patterned / Striped / Checkered

Distinguishing Features

Luggage tag – a label with your name and contact information
Wheels / Handle / Zipper / Pockets
Brand name / Logo
Stickers / Ribbons / Other identifiers

Important Documents and Terms

Boarding pass – the ticket that allowed you onto the plane
Baggage claim ticket / Check tag – the numbered receipt for your checked luggage
Lost luggage form / Property Irregularity Report (PIR) – the official form to report missing bags
Tracking number – a code to check your luggage status online
Travel insurance – coverage that may reimburse you for lost items

People You'll Meet at the Airport

Baggage claim assistant / Lost luggage agent – staff who help with missing bags
Airline representative – company employee who handles complaints
Ground staff – airport workers

Useful Phrases for Reporting Lost Luggage

Memorize these expressions to sound confident when speaking with airline staff at the baggage claim desk.

Expressing the Problem

"Excuse me, I can't find my luggage."
"I'm looking for my suitcase / bag / backpack."
"My luggage didn't arrive on the conveyor belt."
"I've been waiting for over an hour and my bag hasn't appeared."

Providing Information

"Here is my boarding pass."
"Here is my baggage claim ticket."
"My flight was from [city] / Flight number [XXX]."
"I arrived [X] hours/minutes ago."
"I had [number] checked bags."

Describing Your Luggage

"It's a [size] [color] [type]."
"It's made of plastic / polyester / leather."
"It has a luggage tag with my name on it."
"It has a colorful pattern / distinctive sticker on it."
"The brand is [name] – you can see the logo."

Asking for Help and Next Steps

"Could you help me please?"
"What should I do next?"
"Who should I contact?"
"Can I track my luggage online?"
"When will you contact me about my bag?"
"My phone number is... / My email address is..."

15 Questions to Ask at the Lost Luggage Desk

When reporting lost luggage, make sure you get answers to these important questions. This will help you understand the process and track your belongings effectively.

Is there a storage area where my luggage might have been placed?
Could my bag still be on the conveyor belt?
Do you have luggage matching my description in your office?
What form do I need to fill out?
What information do you need from me?
How long does it usually take to find lost luggage?
What percentage of bags are recovered?
Can I track my luggage online? What's the website?
What is my tracking / reference number?
How will you contact me when my luggage is found?
Will you deliver my luggage to my address?
Am I entitled to any compensation for essential items?
Is my luggage insured through the airline?
What happens if my luggage is never found?
Is there a customer service number I can call for updates?

Practice Dialogue 1: Finding Lost Luggage at the Desk

Assistant: Hello! How can I help you?
Tourist: Hello! My name is Alex. I arrived from New Mexico 2 hours ago and I can't find my luggage anywhere.

Assistant: Have you looked for it on the luggage conveyor belt number 23?
Tourist: Oh, yes. I've been waiting there for an hour or more. There are no suitcases or bags left. So, I decided it was time to contact you.

Assistant: You did the right thing. We've got some luggage here. Let me check. Maybe your luggage is here. Could you show me your boarding pass please? And your passport.
Tourist: Here they are.

Assistant: Thank you. You have 2 items, right? How do they look?
Tourist: One of them is a big black suitcase with a luggage tag on it. And the second one is a large blue bag. It has a colorful pattern all over it.

Assistant: OK. I'll need a couple of minutes to check if we've got them.
Tourist: No problem. Thank you.

Assistant: Here they are. You are really lucky.
Tourist: Thank you so much! Probably I missed them while I was in the bathroom. Thanks again.

Assistant: You are welcome. Have a good day!
Tourist: You too!

Practice Dialogue 2: Filing a Lost Luggage Report

This dialogue demonstrates a conversation when your luggage cannot be immediately found. Notice the vocabulary used to describe luggage and the process for filing a report.

Assistant: Hello! How can I help you?
Tourist: Hello! My name is Alex. I talked to your colleague 20 minutes ago about my lost luggage. She checked the storage space, didn't find my backpack there and offered me to check the luggage conveyor belt again. I did it but unfortunately my bag wasn't there.

Assistant: Sorry to hear that. Please fill in this form providing the details about your lost item.
Tourist: OK, thank you. Could you help me to complete it?

Assistant: Sure. To start with, please hand me your passport and boarding pass.
Tourist: Here they are.

Assistant: Thank you. You are looking for 1 bag, right?
Tourist: Yes, it's a medium-sized grey backpack.

Assistant: OK. The size is medium, the color is grey. What about its weight?
Tourist: 16 kilos.

Assistant: All right. Is it patterned or plain?
Tourist: Plain, but it has a red pocket.

Assistant: A red pocket, OK. What about the brand?
Tourist: Yes, it has a brand on it. Its name is in metal letters, but I don't remember it.

Assistant: And does it have a luggage tag with your name or address on it?
Tourist: No, unfortunately not. I never use it.

Assistant: A tag would definitely help, but don't worry. Over 90% of bags are found within the 1st week and many of them don't have luggage tags.
Tourist: That's a huge relief!

Assistant: Write down your address please. Put a tick right here if your luggage is insured.
Tourist: Unfortunately, it's not insured.

Assistant: Don't worry. We'll look for it in any case. We'll also need your phone number, email and signature. Please sign here.
Tourist: OK, done. What should I do next? Who should I contact?

Assistant: You can track your item on this website. All the details are in this leaflet. When we find your bag, we'll call you.
Tourist: Thanks a lot for your help.

Assistant: Not at all. Have a great day. Bye!

Tips for Successful Lost Luggage Conversations

Before Traveling

Always attach a luggage tag with your name, phone number, and email
Take a photo of your luggage before checking it in
Keep your baggage claim ticket in a safe place
Consider travel insurance that covers lost luggage

At the Airport

Report missing luggage immediately – don't leave the airport without filing a report
Speak slowly and clearly to ensure the agent understands you
Don't be afraid to ask for clarification: "Could you repeat that, please?"
Get a copy of the Property Irregularity Report (PIR)
Ask for the tracking number and website to check status

After Filing a Report

Check the tracking website daily
Keep all receipts if you need to buy essential items
Follow up with the airline if you don't hear back within 24-48 hours
Know your rights regarding compensation

Ready to Practice Your Airport English?

Reading vocabulary lists and dialogues is a great start, but real fluency comes from practice. SmallTalk2Me is an AI-powered English Speaking Practice Platform that helps you train English fluency through realistic conversation simulations with instant feedback.

Start practicing now — try our English for Immigration course to role-play lost luggage conversations with instant AI feedback on your pronunciation, grammar, vocabulary, and fluency. Practice describing your luggage, asking questions to airline staff, and build confidence before your real trip.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What English phrases should I use to report lost luggage?

Key phrases include:

"Excuse me, I can't find my luggage,"
"Here is my boarding pass and baggage claim ticket,"
"My flight was from [city]," and "It's a [size] [color] [type of bag]."

Always describe your luggage clearly using size, color, material, and any distinguishing features.

How do I describe my luggage in English?

Describe your luggage using size (small, medium, large), color (black, navy blue, red), material (plastic, polyester, leather, hard-shell), and distinguishing features (luggage tag, brand logo, stickers, colorful pattern).

For example: "It's a large black hard-shell suitcase with a red luggage tag."

What questions should I ask in English at the lost luggage desk?

Important questions include:

"What form do I need to fill out?"
"Can I track my luggage online?"
"What is my tracking number?"
"How will you contact me when my luggage is found?"
"Am I entitled to compensation for essential items?"

What is a Property Irregularity Report (PIR) in English?

A Property Irregularity Report (PIR) is the official document you fill out when reporting lost or delayed luggage. You may hear airport staff say: "Please fill in this form" or "I need to file a report."
The PIR includes your flight details, luggage description, and contact information.

How can I improve my English for airport and lost luggage conversations?

Practice with AI-powered conversation simulators like SmallTalk2Me, study vocabulary lists for airport situations, watch airport scenario videos on YouTube in English, and role-play common dialogues before your trip. The more you practice speaking, the more confident you'll feel in real situations.