....hand luggage and lost luggage.


Although I checked in about 2 hours before my 8,15h flight from LHR to MAD this morning, my bag did not arrive at MAD. These things happen, no big deal. The bored girl attending the lost luggage counter apparently had been waiting for me since she immediately produced a telex from BMI London saying that it was still in London, and would be sent on the next flight ......... tomorrow morning!!

BMI only has one daily flight from LHR to MAD, and they claimed that only BMI can transport the missed bag. No amount of pleading or begging changed their attitude. Apparently BMI in Madrid has no own staff, and is represented by a company aptly called Newco. When I asked for a contact number of BMI in London where I could talk to someone with the authority to put the bag on an earlier flight on BA or IB, I was given a number which belongs to a company in the UK which has ceased to represent BMI 2 years ago.

Newco claimed to have no other contact for BMI. Of course no compensation, emergency pack or similar was offered.

I eventually went to the LH desk where I am well known, and was told that such policy (missed bags on original carrier only) is incorrect and unheard of. They are now trying to get the LH office in London to intervene with BMI. Superb service given that LH is not involved at all.

According to LH airlines do not even charge each other for missed bags, so what is the reason for BMI´s ridiculous policy ? Do passengers have any right to get their bags sent on the next available flight ?

Thanks for your info

Zorro