A passenger flying at Heathrow has been left fearing her luggage will be put up for auction if it isn't handed back to her within seven weeks after it got lost by a major airline.
US citizen Victoria had her luggage misplaced following her flight to Heathrow with American Airlines - a British Airways (BA) partner - on April 3.
Her case, filled with many of her treasured belongings - including an Alice + Olivia designer dress, went missing in the system after a problem with her flight, MyLondon reports.
She has since come to learn of Heathrow's policy to auction off lost luggage if it isn't claimed within three months, leaving her fearful that her possessions will be given away to the highest bidder.
The 31-year-old said: "When I got to Heathrow, I was told I was supposed to leave there, drive to London City airport, and then fly to Belfast - which I would have never booked myself and wasn’t in my itinerary, and my bag tags didn’t say that. They said my bags would go directly to Belfast City Airport."
She told British Airways she couldn't make the London City airport to Belfast flight, so BA rebooked her on an Aer Lingus flight. BA insisted it would pick up the bags and put them on the new flight. but that was the last she saw of the luggage, despite Aer Lingus promising to deliver the items to her hostel in Northern Ireland.
Victoria went to catch her new flight - but she has since been told her luggage is still somewhere at Heathrow Airport.
She said: "I imagine they are making a lot of money off it, so there's no reason to really fix the problem. It's been really stressful and frustrating. I don't think I'll ever see my stuff."
Some Alice + Olivia dresses fetch more than £1,500 and start from around £450. Victoria's bag also contained platform boots and a long coat that she treasured.
Victoria claimed she was initially told by Aer Lingus that despite “extensive searching” the luggage had not been located offering “interim expenses” of £63 once she had provided proof of purchase for the items contained.
But after being approached by MyLondon, Aer Lingus told Victoria: “We will continue to trace your bag… Under the Montreal Convention an airline’s maximum liability in this case is set at… $1724.55. I have therefore requested a reimbursement cheque to this value in your name in full and final settlement of your claim… On behalf of Aer Lingus, please accept my sincere apologies for your experience on this occasion and for the disappointment and inconvenience caused as a result.”
However, she added: “My clothes were worth more [than the offer], and there were some things that are irreplaceable. But I guess I have to be happy with it.”
A British Airways spokesperson added: “We're investigating this with our sister airline Aer Lingus, and we're doing everything we can to reunite the customer with their bag. We apologise for the inconvenience caused.”
A Heathrow spokesperson said the airlines are responsible for the luggage.
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