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Lost & Found

Philadelphia Airport Lost and Found

Lost something at Philadelphia International Airport? Report it immediately — airport lost and found offices hold items for 30–90 days, but recovery rates drop sharply after the first 24 hours.

Left somewhere in the airport (not at security)

Airport Lost and Found

215-937-6888

Location: Airport Operations/Communication Center, on the Departures Roadway (outside security) between Terminals C and D

Hours: Daily 8:00am–midnight

Left at the TSA security checkpoint

TSA Lost Property

1-866-289-9673

File a claim as soon as you notice an item missing — recovery odds drop the longer an item sits unclaimed, and airports generally hold items for a limited period (PHL holds items for 30 days before transferring them to central storage) before they're donated, auctioned, or disposed of.

File a TSA claim online →

Note: items left in gate areas may also be held by the airline's gate staff — contact the airline directly for gate-area and on-board lost items.

What to do right now (step by step)

  1. Check with the airline first — items left at gates or on the plane go to the airline, not the airport.
  2. If lost in the terminal: call 215-937-6888 or go to Airport Operations/Communication Center, on the Departures Roadway (outside security) between Terminals C and D.
  3. If lost at the security checkpoint: call TSA at 1-866-289-9673 or file a claim online.
  4. File an online claim if available — written claims are processed faster and create a searchable paper trail.
  5. Check back in 24–48 hours — items are logged as they come in and may not appear in the system immediately.

Pro Tip

PHL routes checkpoint items separately from general terminal finds: if you left something in the security bins, call PHL's TSA office directly at 610-521-7206 (staffed Sun–Sat, 10am–2pm) rather than the main airport line. For anything lost in the terminal, restrooms, or concession areas, call 215-937-6888 or email lostandfound@phl.org — there's no online claim form, so phone or email is the only way to report a loss. Items left on the aircraft or at the gate go through your airline, not the airport.

Frequently asked questions

How long does PHL airport keep lost items?

Most airports hold unclaimed items for 30–90 days before donating or auctioning them. File your claim as quickly as possible to maximize recovery chances.

What if I left something on the plane?

Items left on aircraft go to the airline, not the airport lost and found. Contact the airline directly — each airline has its own baggage service phone number and online claim process.

How do I report a lost item at the TSA checkpoint at PHL?

Call TSA at 1-866-289-9673 or file a claim at tsa.gov/travel/customer-service. Items left at security checkpoints are held for 30 days.

Can I file a lost item report online for PHL?

PHL does not currently list a standalone online lost item report form. Call 215-937-6888 to file by phone or visit Airport Operations/Communication Center, on the Departures Roadway (outside security) between Terminals C and D in person.

See also: Live PHL TSA wait times · PHL flight status · PHL security tips

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