Bengaluru Flyer Outsmarts Airline System, Finds Lost Bag in 20 Minutes After Akasa Told Him to Wait 5 Days
A Bengaluru flyer’s quick thinking turned a potential travel nightmare into a swift resolution after he recovered his lost bag in just 20 minutes—despite Akasa Air telling him it could take 3 to 5 days. The story, shared in a viral Reddit post, highlights how staying calm and taking initiative can outpace official procedures.
A Coincidental Meeting Leads to a Baggage Mix-Up
The traveler, returning to Bengaluru, had helped a fellow passenger struggling with excess baggage weight at the airport. Surprisingly, they ended up as seatmates on the flight and discovered they both lived in HSR Layout. After landing, they decided to share an airport bus—a decision that soon led to trouble.
The Moment of Panic: “My Bag Was Gone”
The Bengaluru man had placed his black Safari bag under the seat in the bus’s luggage section and dozed off while listening to music.
“One song later, I opened my eyes and casually glanced over… My bag was gone.”
In its place was a larger, shinier bag with a green stripe—clearly not his. After checking around the bus and asking fellow passengers, he realized his bag had been mistakenly taken.
Akasa Air’s Response: “Wait 3–5 Days”
He immediately contacted Akasa Air, but their customer service told him:
“Please send us an email and wait 24–48 hours. Or file a complaint at the airport—the process takes 2–4 days.”
With work starting soon and essential belongings in the bag, waiting wasn’t an option.
The Smart Recovery: How He Got His Bag Back in 20 Mins
Instead of relying on the airline, he took matters into his own hands:
- Checked the luggage tag on the wrong bag—found the traveler’s name and PNR number.
- Used the PNR to access the booking on Akasa’s website and downloaded the e-ticket, which had the passenger’s phone number.
- Called him directly—the man immediately realized his mistake and apologized.
Luckily, the other traveler had a home in Koramangala, making the return easier. They agreed to meet the next day, and by 3:45 PM, the bag was safely returned.
The Ironic Email from Akasa Air
Just as they were exchanging bags, the Bengaluru man received an email from Akasa stating:
“The recovery process could take 3–5 days to even start.”
Had he waited, he might have been without his bag for days. Instead, he had it back in under 24 hours—and knew where it was within 20 minutes of realizing it was missing.
Here’s the first hand account of the flyer with lost bag:
Online Reactions: Praise & Criticism
The Reddit post sparked discussions, with many users applauding his quick thinking:
“All my bags have smart tags. I don’t trust airlines at all.”
Others questioned whether Akasa Air was responsible, since the mix-up happened on an airport bus, not the flight. The traveler clarified:
“Technically, it wasn’t their responsibility. But basic support from the airline could’ve helped escalate things quicker.”
Key Takeaway: Stay Calm & Take Action
The incident serves as a reminder that proactive problem-solving often works faster than bureaucratic processes. As the traveler put it:
“No hero moment here—just a reminder that sometimes being calm and doing the obvious thing is more effective than waiting on a system.”
