61 Days Without Luggage: Court Orders Airline to Pay €1,500

61 Days Without Luggage: Court Orders Airline to Pay €1,500

Key question: Why did the traveler have to fight so long, even though the rules are supposed to be clear?

In December 2023 a woman boarded a plane from Palma's Son Sant Joan Airport to Barcelona and arrived at her destination without her travel bag. She received the suitcase only 61 days later. In between there were complaints, emails, phone calls, frustration — and finally a court case in Palma that condemned the responsible airline to pay €1,500 plus statutory interest and reimbursement of legal costs. The plaintiff was represented by a well-known online legal platform and claimed the then-maximum compensation available under the Montreal Convention.

The ruling is clear: the judge did not accept the excuses offered by the airline and decided in favor of the passenger. Lawyer Jorge Ramos summed it up: the plaintiff demanded money that she is entitled to under the applicable regulations, and going to court was necessary to enforce this right, as noted in Judges in Palma strengthen passenger rights — a win with open questions.

Critical analysis: Law vs. reality at the airport

Formally, much is regulated. The Montreal Convention sets liability limits and obligations for airlines. In practice, however, cases like this show: rules alone do little when enforcement and customer service fail. If a suitcase disappears for 61 days, it is not enough that the flight shows as “landed” on the screen and the carousel stays empty. Costs arise, time is lost, errands are missed — and above all trust in the airline is damaged.

The tactic of many airlines to respond with delays, contradictory information or formal objections prolongs disputes. The court decision makes clear that such behaviors are not automatically acceptable. But court cases are slow and expensive; not every traveler has the energy, time or resources to fight.

What is missing in the public discourse

There is much talk about delays and flight rights, but rarely about the small, everyday consequences of lost baggage: replacement clothing, medication, business appointments, strollers, emotional strain. There is also often a lack of clarity about which documents must be collected to enforce claims. Authorities, consumer advice centers and airports could be more proactive here — not only with legal basics but with practical checklists for the first hour: Where do I report the loss? Which receipts do I need immediately? How do I document consequential costs? Consumer groups have highlighted related disputes in cases such as Dispute over Mini Hand Luggage: Consumer Protection Group Takes Eurowings to Court, which shows the need for clearer guidance.

Everyday scene from Palma

Imagine this: it is a mild afternoon on Passeig des Born, a café fills with the clinking of spoons on porcelain, and a woman types frantically on her mobile phone while a hotline keeps postponing her. At Son Sant Joan Airport trolleys pass by, the beeping of baggage carts mixes with announcements. Passengers check their apps, hope for status updates — and only later realize that there was more than just clothes in their holiday luggage. These small scenes happen every day, and often the frustration remains unspoken.

Concrete solutions

1) Faster reporting points: Airports should set up separate counters or digital contact points for lost baggage with clear deadlines. A handwritten record on site is worth its weight in gold and should be given to travelers as standard. 2) Transparent communication: Airlines must provide clear time windows for when inquiries will be completed and give regular status updates — not just automatic emails. An uninterrupted tracking chain would defuse many disputes. 3) Emergency kit and proof requirement: Travelers should keep photos of their luggage, packing lists and purchase receipts for valuable items. Small insurance policies or credit cards with baggage protection can cover financial gaps. 4) On-site support: Municipal consumer advice centers and tourist information offices in Mallorca could offer information sheets in several languages and help with the first steps. For many holidaymakers the procedure is unfamiliar and overwhelming.

Conclusion

The court ruling is a small victory for consumer rights: those who know and assert their claims can get justice; see New legal situation for package travelers: What the Wiesbaden ruling means for Mallorca visitors. But it is also a warning sign. If a suitcase disappears for 61 days, it is more than a logistical problem — it is a failure of service chains and communication. For Mallorca, where flights and baggage flows touch daily life, this means: we need clearer information at the airport, better communication standards from airlines and low-threshold help for affected people. Anyone traveling to Son Sant Joan should in future not only leave the umbrella in the checked bag but also keep a copy of the packing list in their hand luggage.