Lose something at LAX? There's a new and improved solution for that.
Was that you who left a stuffed unicorn, a chain saw, surfboard or a large-screen TV at Los Angeles International Airport?
If so, the Lost and Found Office at the nation's second-busiest airport has a new way to reunite you with your stuff.
The same goes for the 5,000 to 7,000 laptops, tablets, belts, wallets and other left-behind items that get turned over to the Los Angeles Airport Police Department each month and put in a warehouse that holds up to 30,000 other lost items on any given day.
Sign up for the free daily TPG newsletter for more travel tips!
On National Lost and Found Day (celebrated this year on Friday, December 13), LAX announced that after months of beta testing it has formally adopted a new online reunification system for items lost at the airport.
The system can be accessed via the FlyLAX.com website and allows anyone to file claims and search through select photos and descriptions of items recovered at the airport.
When we looked, the database had photos of close to 1,600 unclaimed items, including suitcases, wallets, purses, computers, Kindles, smartphones, strollers, stuffed animals and a variety of miscellaneous items.
Owners of lost items at LAX are asked to file claims online by listing as much identifying information as they can, such the date they lost the item, the location where they think they left the item and any unique characteristics of the item that might help police and claims processors confirm ownership.
With claims filed in the new system, LAX officials say processors can better and more quickly verify claims against found items, make matches, contact owners and provide instructions for pickup or provide options for shipping items.
"LAX is increasingly investing in technology and new innovations to help improve the overall guest experience," said Barbara Yamamoto, Director of Guest Experience and Innovation, Los Angeles World Airports in a statement. "Lost and Found is another touchpoint where we can utilize technology to help people reunite with a beloved stuffed animal, computer and more."
Bonus chance to get your stuff back
The LAX Lost and Found system offers travelers a bonus chance of getting lost stuff back.
At most airports, travelers must contact the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to try to retrieve items they believe they've left behind at screening checkpoints.
But LAX has partnered with TSA to collect items left at checkpoints and include those items in the Lost and Found database, which helps simplify the process.
Items left onboard aircraft, in U.S. Customs and Border Protection areas, and rental car facilities are still the responsibility of those organizations.
"Airports are dynamic environments and people are often in a rush or simply forgot to take an item from a security checkpoint, gate area or restaurant," said Los Angeles Airport Police Capt. Michael Scolaro, who heads the LAX Lost and Found office. "We do everything we can to help get lost items back to their owners, and the addition of an online LAX Lost and Found will help streamline the process for our guests and claims processors alike."
What happens to lost items at LAX that are aren't claimed?
LAX says recovered items are kept for at least 90 days before being sent to the City of Los Angeles' auction site for unclaimed property, the Salvation Army or Goodwill.
Lose something at another airport?
Like LAX, each airport has a section on its website or app with instructions on how to contact the Lost and Found office and file a claim.
Each airline also posts information about what to do if you leave something behind on an airplane. But unfortunately, the well-trained dog featured in this KLM video from 2014 only had imaginary skills at reuniting travelers with lost items.
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees