Turkish Airlines Lost & Delayed Baggage Compensation: How to Claim Reimbursement

Joanna Teljeur

By:  Joanna Teljeur

Last Updated:  September 19, 2025

Reviewed by:  Anton Radchenko

Were your bags lost after a Turkish Airlines flight? Baggage mishandling among airlines is a growing problem that affects thousands of people worldwide. The good news is that there are regulations in place that require airlines to compensate you for damaged, delayed, and lost baggage. So, keep reading because we’re going to show you what to do to get compensated by Turkish Airlines for your lost baggage.

Airlines' baggage liability is increased by €320. The Montreal Convention October, 24 editions ensure coverage up to €1,920 for your luggage.

Key Points

1. Turkish Airlines is required to compensate you up to approximately €1920 lost baggage.
2. The Montreal Convention governs your air passenger rights for delayed, damaged, or lost baggage.
3. Compensation is not issued automatically. You must file reports and claims within specific time frames to be eligible.

Turkish Airlines Lost Baggage: What Are Your Rights

Your passenger rights for lost baggage are covered by the Montreal Convention, an international treaty signed in 1999 that requires airlines to compensate passengers for baggage mishandling up to 1,519 Special Drawing Rights (SDRs). 

What are SDRs?

An SDR is a combined value of several different currencies which currently equals approximately €1,920.

You’ve spent days tracking your baggage, but you can start your compensation claim in just a few easy stepsGet the compensation you’re owed.
Start your claim now!

Lost Baggage: What to Do 

If you’ve checked your bags, you expect them to arrive at your final destination when you do. When they don’t, it can be very unsettling. Airlines usually consider baggage to be delayed until it has been missing for 21 days, at which point they will consider it lost. Whether your baggage is delayed or lost, here’s what you need to do to get it sorted out.

Make a lost baggage report

This step is very important. If you fail to make a report with Turkish Airlines, then you might not be eligible for compensation.

1. To make a report, find the Turkish Airlines Baggage counter, which should be located in the baggage reclaim area. You can also make your report on their site.
2. Part of the reporting process is completing the Property Irregularity Report (PIR). 

Turkish Airlines lost baggage tracking

After you make your Property Irregularity Report, you can use the number to track the status of your lost baggage. While most lost baggage is found within 24 hours, sometimes it can take longer. 

What to do after 5 days

If you’re still waiting for Turkish Air to find your lost baggage after 5 days, then you will need to provide them with more information about your belongings so they have a better chance of finding it. Typically, the airline will contact you for more information, but if you don’t, return to the reporting page on the Turkish Airlines’ site.

Making Essential Purchases 

If you’re away from home when your baggage is delayed or lost, then you will probably need to buy some basics. If you do buy clothing, toiletries, or other essentials, be sure to keep all the receipts so you can file them as part of your compensation claim.

Claiming Compensation for Delayed and Lost Baggage

When to file your Turkish Airlines claim

If your baggage has been returned to you, then you can file a claim for essential purchases as soon as you are reunited with your luggage. If your baggage has been missing for 21 days, then you can begin your Turkish Airlines compensation claim process.

How to file your baggage compensation claim

To file your claim, navigate to the Turkish Airlines site. This is where your PIR number will come in handy, as you’ll need to enter it as part of the process. The airline will also ask for your booking number or flight information, as well as a photo ID. If you’ve purchased any basics, this is where you can submit your receipts for reimbursement.

How long does the compensation claims process take

No official time frames exist for how long it should take for an airline to process your claim. But from our experience here at AirAdvisor, the baggage compensation claim process can take as long as a month or more. The key here is patience, although you are free to follow up with the airline about your claim status.

Compensation for Lost Baggage: How Much Can You Get

The Montreal Convention rules state that Turkish Airlines has a liability limit of up to roughly €1,920 for your damaged, delayed, and lost baggage. So, whether you’re claiming for essentials that you had to buy or lost baggage, the most you can expect to receive is €1,920.

Turkish Airlines Damaged Baggage

If your check baggage is damaged when you land at your final destination, then the most important thing to do is to make a report while you are still at the airport.

1. Make a damaged baggage report immediately before you leave the airport, but if you only discover the damage later, then you can file your report on the Turkish Airlines’ site. 
2. Take photos of the damage. This will help support your claim.
3. File the Property Irregularity Report and keep the number for tracking and filing your claim later.

Why is a report so important? 

When you make a damaged baggage report, you’re telling Turkish Airlines about your baggage problem and giving them a chance to remedy it. If you don’t make the report and go try to make a claim, it will likely be denied.

Claiming Damaged Baggage Compensation 

In order to receive compensation for your damaged baggage, you have to file a claim with Turkish Airlines. You can do this on their site within 7 days of receiving your baggage.

What will you need as part of the damage claim

• The PIR number
• Your flight information
• Receipts
• Photos of the damage
• Sometimes you will need to send a copy of your photo ID

What Turkish Airlines won’t cover in a compensation claim

As with most airlines, Turkish will not pay you compensation for the following:

• Damage to fragile items
• Improperly packed items
• Faulty luggage
• Normal signs of use
• Perishables
• Small rips, tears, or scuffs

How to Avoid Loss When You Check Baggage

Always remember to pack valuables and irreplaceable belongings like photos and other ephemera in your hand baggage. It’s also a good idea to avoid packing cash or anything fragile in your checked baggage.

Another way to avoid loss is to take photos of the contents of your bags as well as the outside of them, so airlines have a better chance of locating your bags if they go missing and replacing them if they are lost or damaged.

Lastly, always provide contact information on the outside and the inside of your suitcase.

Have you been wearing the same clothes for days because the airline lost your luggage? You deserve better!
Start your compensation claim today

You might also like: 

EU Air Passenger Rights Guide

EU 261 Compensation for Flight Disruptions

European Lost & Delayed Baggage Compensation

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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