What to Do if Norwegian Air Loses or Damages Your Baggage

Joanna Teljeur

By:  Joanna Teljeur

Last Updated:  November 24, 2025

If you arrive at your destination to find your baggage has been lost or damaged, you’ll need to take specific steps, ideally while you’re at the airport. In this guide, we will explain exactly what you should do if Norwegian has mishandled your belongings. We’ll also explain how to file a baggage claim  so you can get compensated for the inconvenience, and recover the cost of your missing items.

What to Do if Your Norwegian Baggage is Missing

If your bags don’t arrive when you do, Norwegian will consider them delayed and not lost. Baggage is only considered lost if it has been missing for 21 days. So, if you cannot locate your luggage, here’s what you’ll need to do:

1. The very first thing you should do, once you realise your baggage is missing, is make a delayed baggage report. You can do this at the Help or Lost & Found Desk in the arrivals hall at the airport. Do not skip this step! Norwegian Air might reject your luggage claim if you fail to make a report.
2. The form you will complete is called a Property Irregularity Report (PIR) or sometimes a Baggage Irregularity Report. Keep a copy of this because you will need it to file a claim later. Also, you can use the PIR number to track the status of your belongings.
3. Next, track the status of your belongings by using the Norwegian baggage tracking system. If you need to purchase essentials, like clothing and toiletries, be sure to keep all the receipts for reimbursement.

What Happens Next?

After you’ve filed a report, just wait until Norwegian contacts you. Once they locate your luggage, they will deliver it to your location, unless you prefer to pick it up at the airport. 

What Happens if Norwegian Damages Your Baggage?

If your checked luggage arrives damaged, you should take the following steps, before leaving the airport.

1. Go to the Lost & Found Office, and complete a Property Irregularity Report (PIR).
2. If you’ve left the airport, you can also complete the report by using Norwegian’s online form within 4 days of arrival. If more than 4 days have passed, contact Norwegian here. 
3. Keep the Property Irregularity Report (PIR) to use when you file a claim.
4. Take photos of the baggage damage so you have supporting evidence for your claim.
5. Purchase essentials, and keep the receipts for reimbursement.
6. Submit a baggage compensation claim within 7 days.

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Norwegian Baggage Claim Filing Deadlines

Be sure to submit your compensation claim within the following timeframes to avoid having your claim rejected.

Do You Have Passenger Rights for Mishandled Baggage?

Yes! If you’re flying internationally, your rights are protected by the Montreal Convention, which is an international treaty that requires airlines, like Norwegian, to provide up to roughly £1,600 (€1,920) in compensation, for lost, delayed, and damaged baggage.

How to Submit a Baggage Mishandling Claim with Norwegian

Gather all your flight documents, and file your baggage compensation claim via Norwegian’s dedicated claim form. Be sure to include as much information as possible, including:

1. Photos of your damaged baggage (as applies)
2. Receipts for essentials and/or receipts from the purchase of your bags
3. Details about your trip, including the arrival and departure airports, flight number(s), copy of your boarding pass, and any other relevant information.
4. Bag tag(s)
5. A copy of the Property Irregularity Report (PIR) 
6. A detailed list of the items in your bag if it has been lost

Norwegian will most likely respond within 7-10 days, but you might have to wait up to 30 days to get a decision about your claim.

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How to Prevent Baggage Loss and Damage

Here are a few tips for avoiding lost and damaged baggage in the future.

1. Remove old barcodes and tags from previous flights.
2. Take photos of your suitcases. Photograph the contents as well as the exterior. This will help the airline locate your items if they’re missing. If your luggage is damaged, you will have a way of proving what it looked like prior to checking it with the carrier. You will also have an account of what you packed, so you can better itemise the contents as part of your report and claim.
3. Add baggage labels. Add your name, email, and phone number to both the outside and inside of your bags.
4. Don’t overpack! Overstuffed bags are more likely to be damaged during the loading process.
5. Leave enough time between connections. Ideally, you should allow between 1.5 and 2 hours so your bags have time to be loaded. 
6. Check-in early so your bags have time to make it to your aircraft.

Author:

Joanna Teljeur

Job/Position: Senior Editor & Content Lead

Joanna Teljeur is a senior editor and writer with 15+ years of experience in editorial leadership, journalism, and content development, specialising in consumer rights, aviation law, and public-interest reporting. Her work focuses on transforming complex regulatory and legal topics into clear, accurate, and accessible content for international audiences.

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