The hustle and bustle of flying makes it easy for travelers to misplace or leave behind personal items at the airport. Did you know the most commonly lost or misplaced items at an airport are:
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Bags (32%)
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Electronics (21%)
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Keys (8%)
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Jewelry (7%)
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Clothing (6.3%)
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Wallets (4.2%)
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Eyeglasses (4.1%)
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Identification (2%)
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Approximately 15% are miscellaneous
Just in time for the approaching holiday travel season, Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) has introduced its new lost and found system using Chargerback, a lost-and-found inventory management platform designed specifically for organizations such as airports, airlines, hotels, and other guest-focused businesses. The company was founded in 2010 by Michael McLaughlin and Brian Colodny after Colodny left a cell phone charger at a hotel and experienced firsthand how difficult and frustrating it can be to recover a lost item. That experience inspired the creation of Chargerback and even led to the company's name.
The software has a simple and efficient process for airport staff and travelers. When an item is found, PHL staff use a detailed intake form to document and catalog it.
Guests can scan a QR Code available throughout the airport and on phl.org to complete an online form describing what they lost, when they believe it was left behind, and where they last had it. From there, Chargerback provides a variety of tools to help staff identify potential matches between lost and found items
Once a match is confirmed, the airport team can notify the passenger via email and/or text message directly through the platform. Passengers can then choose to have the item shipped back to them or arrange to pick it up in person. The result is a seamless, end-to-end solution that improves the experience for both airport staff and travelers.
PHL’s public information program supervisor, Louis Poinson, highlighted the benefits of using the new system, stating, “With its customer self‑service report link, automated notifications, and streamlined shipping options, the new Chargerback system will make our Lost and Found operations more efficient and significantly enhance the customer experience.”
Passengers please note —for items left at a security checkpoint, TSA will handle through TSA lost and found. For items left on aircraft, contact your airline.
If you believe to have lost or misplaced an item at our airport, click the link below:
