Turkish Airlines Baggage Claim: Lost, Delayed & Damaged Compensation
Domestic Max
$2,000
International Max
1519 SDR
Avg Response
14 days
Claim Types
3
To get Turkish Airlines baggage compensation, report the issue at the airport baggage office immediately and get a PIR (Property Irregularity Report). Domestic compensation is capped at $2,000. International compensation is capped at 1519 SDR (~$2,000). File online at Turkish Airlines's claims portal.
Turkish Airlines Baggage Claims & Compensation: What You Need to Know
Turkish Airlines is a Middle Eastern and African carrier headquartered in TR, a member of the Star Alliance. Under applicable aviation regulations, passengers have defined rights when baggage is lost, damaged, or delayed.
Turkish Airlines is Turkey's flag carrier and a Star Alliance member, operating from its Istanbul hub — one of the world's busiest connection airports, which means a higher rate of delayed and misrouted bags on connecting flights. All international Turkish Airlines flights are covered by the Montreal Convention, providing baggage liability up to 1,519 SDR (~$2,000). Turkish Airlines uses WorldTracer for global bag tracking and requires damage reports within 7 days of receiving your bag. For delayed bags, you have 21 days after delivery to file for interim expense reimbursement. Claims can be filed at the airport, through turkishairlines.com, or by calling their 24/7 customer care line.
When filing a claim with Turkish Airlines, time-sensitive actions are critical. The tightest deadline is 7 days from the incident; interim expenses are covered up to $50; excluded items include jewelry, cash, electronics; typical response time is 14 days. Acting quickly and having your documentation ready significantly increases the likelihood of a successful claim.
For the best chance of resolving your claim: the the executive office channel (rated 78% effective) tends to yield the best results; the escalation path with the highest success rate (80%) involves file claim in turkish consumer courts or pursue arbitration. for us-originating flights, file dot complaint at airconsumer.dot.gov; our data for Turkish Airlines has a confidence score of 88%; last verified in February 2026.
Compared to other airlines in our database: Turkish Airlines's domestic liability cap of $2,000 is 18% below the industry average of $2,431; their international limit of ~$2,000 matches the industry standard; their interim expense allowance of $50 is about average. These figures are based on data from 56 airlines.
Turkish Airlines Claim Deadlines
Damaged Baggage
| Flight Type | Action | Deadline | Regulation |
|---|---|---|---|
| domestic | Report at Airport | 7 days | Montreal Convention Art. 31 |
| domestic | File Claim Online | 21 days | Montreal Convention Art. 31 |
| international | Report at Airport | 7 days | Montreal Convention Art. 31 |
| international | File Claim Online | 21 days | Montreal Convention Art. 31 |
If missed: Claim barred under Montreal Convention Article 31
Delayed Baggage
| Flight Type | Action | Deadline | Regulation |
|---|---|---|---|
| domestic | File Claim Online | 21 days | Montreal Convention Art. 31 |
| international | File Claim Online | 21 days | Montreal Convention Art. 31 |
If missed: Claim barred under Montreal Convention Article 31
Lost Baggage
| Flight Type | Action | Deadline | Regulation |
|---|---|---|---|
| domestic | File Claim Online | 21 days | Montreal Convention Art. 31, 35 |
| international | File Claim Online | 21 days | Montreal Convention Art. 31, 35 |
If missed: Claim barred under Montreal Convention
Documentation Requirements
Required Documents
- ✓pir report
Property Irregularity Report from airport Baggage Service Office
Note: Get this BEFORE leaving the airport. Contains reference number needed for all future communications.
- ✓boarding pass
Original boarding pass or e-ticket confirmation
- ✓baggage tag
Baggage claim check
- ✓photo
Photos of damage from multiple angles
Note: Include close-ups of damage and overall bag condition.
- ✓interim expense receipt
Receipts for essential emergency purchases
Note: Toiletries, underwear, essential clothing only. Keep all receipts.
- ✓pir report
Property Irregularity Report from airport
- ✓boarding pass
Original boarding pass or e-ticket confirmation
- ✓itemized list
Complete inventory of bag contents with estimated values
Note: Include brand names, purchase dates, and current value.
- ✓receipt
Receipts for claimed items
- ✓pir report
Property Irregularity Report from airport
- ✓boarding pass
Original boarding pass or e-ticket confirmation
- ✓baggage tag
Baggage claim check
Recommended (Optional)
- ○receipt
Original purchase receipt or repair estimate
Turkish Airlines Liability Limits
Domestic Flights
$2,000
1519 SDR
Montreal Convention
Interim expenses: up to $50 (5 days)
Excluded: jewelry, cash, electronics, cameras, documents, medication, fragile items
International Flights
$2,000
1519 SDR
Montreal Convention
Interim expenses: up to $50 (5 days)
Excluded: jewelry, cash, electronics, cameras, documents, medication, fragile items
Turkish Airlines Contact Information
Baggage Hotline
+90 212 444 0849
Hours: 24/7
Avg wait: 20 min
Turkish Airlines baggage service center. Have your booking reference and PIR number ready.
Claims Mailing Address
Turkish Airlines General Management, Ataturk Havalimani, Yesilkoy 34149, Istanbul, Turkey
Send formal written claims via registered post.
Claims Email
customer.relations@thy.com
Email for baggage claims and customer relations. Response time: 7-21 days.
Customer Service
1-800-874-8875
Hours: 24/7
Avg wait: 25 min
US customer service number for Turkish Airlines.
Executive Office
Ahmet Bolat, CEO - Turkish Airlines General Management, Ataturk Havalimani, Yesilkoy 34149, Istanbul, Turkey
Executive escalation. Use only after other channels exhausted.
Social Media
@TurkishAirlines on Twitter/X
Hours: 24/7
Active social media support. DM for privacy.
Claim Forms & Portals
Escalation Path
internal
60% successCall Turkish Airlines baggage service at +90 212 444 0849 or US 1-800-874-8875 with PIR reference number
When to escalate: Initial claim filed, no response in 7 days
Avg resolution: 7 days
internal
65% successSubmit written complaint via customer.relations@thy.com with all documentation attached
When to escalate: Claim denied or inadequate offer after 14 days
Avg resolution: 21 days
internal
70% successSend executive escalation letter to CEO Ahmet Bolat, Turkish Airlines General Management, Ataturk Havalimani, Yesilkoy 34149, Istanbul, Turkey
When to escalate: Customer relations response unsatisfactory
Avg resolution: 14 days
regulatory
68% successFile complaint with Turkish Directorate General of Civil Aviation (SHGM)
When to escalate: All internal options exhausted
Avg resolution: 30 days
legal
80% successBest Success RateFile claim in Turkish consumer courts or pursue arbitration. For US-originating flights, file DOT complaint at airconsumer.dot.gov
When to escalate: SHGM complaint unsuccessful
Avg resolution: 60 days
Frequently Asked Questions
How much compensation does Turkish Airlines pay for lost baggage?
Turkish Airlines' maximum liability for lost baggage on international flights is 1,519 SDR (~$2,000) under the Montreal Convention. Compensation is based on the depreciated value of your items, not the original purchase price. The claims process typically takes 30-60 days for resolution.
How do I track my lost Turkish Airlines bag with WorldTracer?
Use the PIR reference number from your airport report to track your bag on the WorldTracer website (worldtracer.aero). You can also call Turkish Airlines' baggage hotline for status updates. WorldTracer is updated as your bag is scanned at airports worldwide.
What is Turkish Airlines' delayed baggage compensation policy?
Turkish Airlines reimburses reasonable interim expenses (toiletries, clothing, essentials) while your bag is delayed. Keep all receipts and submit them within 21 days of receiving your bag. Under Montreal Convention Article 19, the airline is liable for damages caused by delay up to 1,519 SDR.
How do I file a damaged baggage claim with Turkish Airlines?
Report damage at the airport baggage office immediately and get a Property Irregularity Report. Then submit a written claim to Turkish Airlines within 7 days of receiving your bag (Montreal Convention Article 31). Include photos of the damage, your PIR reference, and repair or replacement estimates.
How long does Turkish Airlines take to reimburse a baggage claim?
Turkish Airlines typically processes baggage claim reimbursements within 30 to 60 days after receiving all required documentation. Payments are made via bank transfer to the account you provide in your claim form. If you haven't received a response after 60 days, follow up with Turkish Airlines' customer relations department and reference your PIR number and claim file number.
What interim expenses does Turkish Airlines reimburse for delayed baggage?
Turkish Airlines reimburses reasonable essential purchases made while your bag is delayed, including toiletries, underwear, and basic clothing appropriate to your destination. Keep all itemized receipts — Turkish Airlines typically caps interim reimbursement at a reasonable daily amount. Submit receipts with your claim within 21 days of receiving your delayed bag. The reimbursement is separate from and in addition to any compensation for permanent loss.
What is Turkish Airlines's maximum baggage liability for domestic flights?
Turkish Airlines's maximum liability for domestic flights is $2,000 under Montreal Convention. This covers the depreciated value of your bag and its contents.
What is Turkish Airlines's maximum baggage liability for international flights?
Turkish Airlines's maximum liability for international flights is 1519 SDR (approximately $2,000) under the Montreal Convention. SDR values fluctuate with exchange rates.
How long do I have to file a lost baggage claim with Turkish Airlines?
Bag declared lost after 21 days. File formal claim within 21 days.
Does Turkish Airlines cover expenses while my bag is delayed?
Yes, Turkish Airlines provides interim expense coverage up to $50 for up to 5 days. This covers reasonable purchases like toiletries, underwear, and a change of clothing. Keep all receipts — you won't be reimbursed without them.
What items does Turkish Airlines exclude from baggage liability?
Turkish Airlines excludes the following items from baggage liability: jewelry, cash, electronics, cameras, documents, medication, fragile items. These items are not covered even if they are damaged, lost, or stolen during transit. Consider keeping high-value and excluded items in your carry-on.
Can I track my missing Turkish Airlines bag online?
Yes, Turkish Airlines uses the WorldTracer system for tracking mishandled baggage. You can check the status of your delayed or lost bag using the reference number from your Property Irregularity Report (PIR). Track your bag at Turkish Airlines's tracking portal.
How does Turkish Airlines calculate the value of lost items?
Turkish Airlines applies depreciation when calculating compensation for lost items, meaning you receive the current value rather than the original purchase price. Typical depreciation is 10-20% per year for clothing and 20-33% for electronics. Provide purchase receipts or credit card statements to support your claimed values.
How much compensation can I get from Turkish Airlines for lost or delayed baggage?
Turkish Airlines's maximum baggage compensation is up to $2,000 for domestic flights, and up to 1519 SDR (approximately $2,000) for international flights under the Montreal Convention. Actual compensation is based on the depreciated value of your items, so keep receipts and purchase records to support your claim.
What's the fastest way to reach Turkish Airlines about a baggage claim?
Based on our data, contacting the executive office is the most effective channel for Turkish Airlines baggage claims, with an effectiveness rating of 78%.
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