What is a Property Irregularity Report (PIR) & Why It’s Important

Joanna Teljeur

By:  Joanna Teljeur

Last Updated:  February 18, 2026

Reviewed by:  Anton Radchenko

What do you do if your checked luggage doesn’t arrive at baggage claim, or what happens if it shows up damaged? It can be a stressful and confusing experience, but the very first thing you should do is file a Property Irregularity Report, also known as a PIR. 

This official form is your ticket to recovering your belongings, but you also need it to claim baggage compensation. Without it, airlines have no formal record of your luggage being mishandled, and that means your claim could be rejected.

Was your baggage lost or delayed? Don’t wait! File your claim with AirAdvisor, and we’ll handle the entire process for you.Check Your Flight

What is a Property Irregularity Report (PIR)?

A Property Irregularity Report (PIR) is the document airlines use to officially record issues with checked baggage, whether your luggage is lost, delayed, or damaged. Filing a PIR is what gets your bag into the airline’s tracking system (like WorldTracer), and it’s the first step toward getting it back or claiming compensation.

You must file the PIR before leaving the airport. If there’s no record, the airline won’t be able to locate your belongings and you won’t be able to file a compensation claim. 

The PIR process is nearly identical across the UK and EU. The key difference is who regulates your rights: in the UK it’s the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA); in the EU, each country has its own national enforcement body.

As soon as you realise your bags are missing or damaged, file a PIR immediately before leaving the airport.

Step-by-Step: How to File a PIR in the UK

If you arrive at baggage claim, and your luggage isn’t there (or it's damaged), here’s exactly what to do:

1. Go to the Baggage Services Desk

Head straight to your airline’s baggage desk, the lost & found or general help desk in the baggage reclaim area. Look for signs saying “Lost & Found,” “Baggage Services,” or “Baggage Enquiries.”

2. Provide Your Flight & Baggage Details

You’ll need to provide some key travel documents, including your boarding pass, passport or ID, and, most importantly, the baggage tag you received at check-in. This tag includes a barcode the airline uses to trace your luggage.

You’ll also be asked to describe your luggage in detail. Be as specific as possible and provide information about the brand, colour, size, material, whether it has wheels, if it’s hard or soft shell, and any distinctive features like ribbons, stickers, or straps.

PRO TIP: Take a photo of your bag before your trip. It’s one of the easiest ways to describe it accurately.

3. Complete the PIR Form

The agent at the desk will ask you to complete the Property Irregularity Report that will log your baggage issue into the airline’s tracking system. Make sure your personal contact details and destination address (where you want the bag delivered) are accurate and legible. If the form is digital, double-check every field before submitting.

4. Get Your PIR Number

Once you’ve filed the PIR, the agent will give you a receipt with a 10-character reference code made up of 5 letters and numbers (e.g. ABHWY27364). This is your PIR number, and it’s how you’ll track the status of your bag online. Without this code, you won’t be able to follow up or file a proper compensation claim. 

5. Keep All Documents

Hold onto everything: Your PIR receipt, original boarding pass, baggage tag, and any receipts for essential items you have to buy while waiting for your bag to arrive. You can include these as part of your compensation or insurance claim.

The key here is to stay organized and to act quickly. And remember, filing your PIR before leaving the airport will boost your chances of getting your bag returned quickly and filing a successful claim for compensation.

What is a PIR Number and Why Does It Matter?

After you file your PIR, the airline will give you a unique 10-character reference code (e.g. ABCDE12345). This is your PIR number, and it’s the key to everything that happens next.

Think of it as your case ID for the missing or damaged bag. Without it, the airline won’t be able to track your luggage, and you won’t be able to submit a formal compensation claim.

Your PIR number lets you:

• Track your bag’s location in real time using airline systems like WorldTracer
• File a claim for compensation. Most airlines won’t accept claims without a PIR number
• Support your travel insurance claim with proof that your bag was reported missing

Pro tip: Take a photo of your PIR receipt or forward it to yourself by email. If it gets lost, contact the airline immediately to request a replacement copy.

Already have your PIR number? Start your claim with AirAdvisor today.Check Your Flight

Common Mistakes to Avoid

When luggage goes missing or shows up damaged, it’s easy to rush or overlook the key steps, especially after a tiring journey. But even small mistakes in those first moments can make it harder to get your bag back or claim compensation later. 

Based on what we’ve seen, these are the most common missteps. Avoiding them gives you the best chance of resolving the issue more quickly.

1. Leaving the airport without filing a PIR: This is the most common mistake we see. Filing a PIR at the airport is the only way to create an official record of your missing or damaged baggage and to get compensated by the airline. 
2. Giving vague bag descriptions: Saying your bag is "black and medium-sized" won’t help much. Give a full description of what your luggage looked like. Mention the brand, any standout characteristics like stickers or ribbons, details about locks or straps, and even what’s inside. 
3. Losing your PIR number: That 10-character code is your lifeline. Without it, tracking your bag or filing a claim becomes very difficult. Save it digitally and on paper. If you lose it, contact the airline immediately to retrieve it.

UK vs EU: Is There Any Difference in the PIR Process?

Not really. The PIR filing process is virtually the same whether you're flying within the UK or the EU. You still need to:

1. Report the issue immediately at the airport
2. Complete a PIR form and get your PIR number
3. Follow up with the airline directly or through their baggage portal

The main difference lies in who enforces your rights if you run into problems:

• In the UK, complaints and enforcement are handled by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA)
• In the EU, it’s managed by national enforcement bodies in each country (e.g. DGAC in France, LBA in Germany)

Regardless of where your flight begins or ends, your rights are protected under the Montreal Convention. This international treaty sets out the airline’s liability and your entitlement to compensation, and it applies to both UK and EU passengers.

Examples of Airline PIR Policies: EasyJet, British Airways & Ryanair

Every airline has its own process for reporting and handling lost or damaged baggage, and the timelines and tools can vary quite a bit. Knowing the differences can save you a lot of stress, especially when it comes to things like reporting deadlines, photo evidence, and compensation for essentials.

Here’s a breakdown of how EasyJet, British Airways, and Ryanair expect passengers to report baggage issues and follow up using a PIR.

EasyJet

If your baggage is damaged while travelling with EasyJet, they recommend taking clear photos of the damage before leaving the airport. Photos taken later may not be accepted. You must also file a damage report and register your claim on EasyJet’s baggage claims portal within 7 days of your flight. 

EasyJet won’t take responsibility for superficial scuffs, overpacking damage, or fragile items broken inside your bag (these should go through your travel insurance).

For delayed luggage, passengers should report the issue to a Baggage Services Team member before leaving the airport, or log it via EasyJet’s Baggage Portal within 24 hours. Most bags are recovered within the first 5 days. 

After that, a Specialist Baggage Tracing Team takes over the search for up to 45 days. If you're away from home and your bag isn’t returned within 24 hours, EasyJet offers reimbursement for essential items, up to £25 per day per person (maximum of £75), provided you keep your receipts and claim within 21 days.

British Airways

British Airways’ aims to return most delayed bags within 72 hours, and they’ll often send you a text or email if your luggage is known to be missing after your flight. This message will include a missing baggage report number — your tracking reference.

If you’re still at the airport, you can file a PIR at the British Airways baggage desk or use their online baggage portal. If you've already left, the same portal allows you to report your bag as delayed, provide delivery details, and track the status. Delayed baggage should be reported within 8 days of your flight.

For damaged bags or missing contents, it’s best to speak to a BA staff member before leaving the airport. If that’s not possible, you can still report and file a damage claim online — but it must be done within 7 days of receiving your bag. Hold on to the damaged item, as BA may request to inspect it before processing your claim.

Ryanair

Ryanair is strict when it comes to lost or damaged baggage, everything must be reported in person at the airport. If your bag is delayed, lost, or damaged, you must visit the Lost Property Desk right after landing to file a PIR. Without this step, your claim won’t be accepted later.

To claim for damaged baggage, report it at the airport and submit your formal claim to Ryanair within 7 days of the incident. For lost or delayed luggage, you must first file the PIR at the airport, then submit your completed claim form within 21 days of receiving your bag (or the date it should have arrived).

Ryanair processes damage or delay claims within 15 working days, and lost baggage claims within 28 working days, depending on when the tracing process is completed. They’ll contact you by email or post once there’s an update on your case.

What Happens After You File a PIR

Once your PIR is submitted, your baggage details are entered into WorldTracer, which is the global system used by most airlines to search for and track lost luggage. The system scans multiple airports and airline databases to try to locate your bag.

If your bag is found, the airline will usually contact you directly and arrange to deliver it to the address you provided  on the PIR form. Delivery times vary, but most bags are returned within a few days.

If your luggage hasn’t been located within 21 days, it’s officially classified as lost under international aviation rules. At that point, you become eligible to claim compensation, not just for the missing bag itself, but also for:

• Essential purchases made while waiting (e.g. clothes, toiletries)
• The value of the bag and its contents

Keep all receipts, your PIR number, and any documents related to your travel. These are critical for filing a successful claim.

How AirAdvisor Can Help When Your Bag Goes Missing

Chasing airlines, filling out claims forms, and checking the status of your missing bag can feel overwhelming, especially after a long journey. That’s exactly why thousands of travellers turn to AirAdvisor.

We take over the hard work:

• Monitor your PIR and follow up with the airline for updates
• Handle your compensation claim from start to finish
• Ensure your rights are enforced under UK, EU, and international laws

We know what information to include, how to present your case, and what deadlines to meet, so you don’t miss out on what you’re owed.

And here’s the best part: We work on a no-win, no-fee basis. That means you don’t pay us anything unless we win your case.

Over 620,000 travellers have trusted us to get the compensation they deserveLet us help you too. Just enter your flight details to start your claim today!Check Your Flight

Frequently Asked Questions about PIRs

At AirAdvisor, we’re here to guide you every step of the way. Our legal and claims specialists understand how the airlines work, and more importantly, how to hold them accountable.

Start your claim today and let AirAdvisor handle the restYour luggage may be missing, but your rights don’t have to be.Check Your Flight

Sources:

1. British Airways – Lost or Damaged Baggage Policy:
https://www.britishairways.com/content/information/baggage-essentials/lost-and-damaged-baggage/reporting-baggage-problems
2. easyJet – Delayed, Lost or Damaged Bags: https://www.easyjet.com/en/help/baggage/lost-baggage
3. Ryanair – Baggage Issues: Lost, Delayed or Damaged:
https://help.ryanair.com/hc/en-gb/sections/12489260303377-Damaged-Lost-or-Delayed-Bags
4. WorldTracer – Global Baggage Tracking System: https://wtrweb.worldtracer.aero
5. UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) – Baggage Complaints & Passenger Rights:
https://www.caa.co.uk/passengers/resolving-travel-problems/delays-and-cancellations/baggage-delays-or-losses
6. Montreal Convention (1999) – International Air Passenger Rights: https://www.icao.int/secretariat/legal/List%20of%20Parties/Mtl99_EN.pdf
7. European Consumer Centre – EU Air Passenger Rights: https://www.eccnet.eu/your-rights/travelling/air-passenger-rights

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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