SAS (Scandinavian Airline) trip failure and lost bags!

Hi Gregory, I'm sorry about your flight troubles. It's always so frustrating, and I can understand you being angry with SAS. I'm not sure what compensation you would have if your bags are lost or severely delayed, so I'll let someone else answer that.

That said, depending on how much of a delay there was in your flight, you might be entitled to full or partial compensation from SAS because of European Union laws governing flight delays and passenger rights.

I would also talk to SAS about being refunded for what you paid for premium economy since you lost that. Two years ago I was coming back from London and my Delta flight was delayed in Amsterdam for over six hours. I was ultimately rerouted on another Delta flight, but because of that, I received around $700 in compensation. Plus, Delta refunded me the $150 I paid for a Comfort Plus seat that I lost on the rebooked flight. It's definitely worth checking on both of those. It would help to know the details of your delayed flight(s).

To expand on Mardee's input, the European regulation in play here is EC261. You may
be eligible for up to 600 EUR in compensation for a delayed flight, depending on the
length of the flight, the amount of delay, and (most importantly) the reason for the delay.
Acts of God do not qualify, but issues within the domain of the airline do (such as mechanical
issues, crew timeouts, etc.)

Keep your boarding passes and document any information you have about the reasons
for the delay. You can initiate a claim with the airline, in this case SAS, but be prepared for
stonewalling and stalling. However, if you have a legitimate claim, you should persist and
eventually prevail.

I am not quite sure how to read your comment about losing PE from Denver. Most likely
there was no PE from DEN to LAX, so that seems irrelevant. But, if you lost PE in the
transatlantic segment, it seems reasonable that you'd be entitled to compensation. However,
airlines are notoriously biased in calculating stuff like this.

As for the bags, the first question is whether they made it from SAS to LH in Munich. If the
answer is yes, (just because United says the bags are in Munich does not mean LH has them)
then your beef starts with LH. This is just for the bags, not the delay. The bags would have
needed to be retagged and rerouted.

I am so sorry that the end of your trip was so stressful. Are you familiar with FlyerTalk? If you go to the site, hit “Forums”, then “Airlines and Mileage Programs” and find the airlines you are dealing with. They have people on the forums that deal with airline and compensation specific issues all the time. I think you want to deal with SAS for potential compensation based on how long you were delayed, but Luftansa to see if they ever received your luggage.

Best of luck

Thank you all. Yes I'm trying to figure out who to speak with/complain about the luggage primarily. My wife is trying to maintain before buying new makeup, brushes and clothes.

Great tips!
Gregory

I believe it is the operating airline, not the ticketing airline, that will be responsible for luggage claims.

Looks like you have two issues. One is the lost - or delayed - baggage. Hopefully just delayed. Sounds like you’re back home, so you’re on the right course dealing with United and perhaps Lufthansa on that. Sounds like UAL is already working it and hopefully your bags will arrive at the Denver Airport CORRECTION LATE NOTE:*LAX *later this week.

As to SAS and the flight delay issue, EU Regulation 261 may well be helpful. Different levels of assistance depending on the hours involved in the delay. See

Forbes Magazine article

Chris Elliott Guide to Regulation 261

SAS explanation of rights under Reg 261

And the EU explanation … which tells you to work with the airline, first. https://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/travel/passenger-rights/air/index_en.htm

The regulation and suggestions from members of this forum helped us far more than we anticipated with BA after our 1 day delay from Paris to Seattle in 2023. After BA basically ignored us for perhaps two months, we went through the EU process and maybe 2-1/2 months later got the c. $325 that we originally sought for the cost of an extra day in Paris, plus 600 Euros each that the regulation specified.

I am sorry, OP. I don't have any help here other than to say I've been there with a different airline.
Two years ago, I flew Delta SFO-ATL-GRU (Sao Paulo). And I purchased a separate ticket from GRU to my final destination. The flight from SFO was delayed 3 hours and I had only 20 minutes connection in ATL because that flight was also delayed, which by some miracle, I was able to make it right before they closed door. But the bag didn't make it.
At arrival in GRU, I realized there was no bag and I filed a complaint with a Delta representative at the airport. Even though my final destination was not covered by Delta ticket, they were responsible for my bag and had to get it to me. I received the bag wrapped in plastic film protection 3 days later.

I hope you will soon see your bag at your house, and it seems you might even get compensation with the EU rules. I'm saving those helpful articles as I'll be traveling in Europe with European airlines later this year.

I've had bags delayed a few times, the episode I shared is most recent one. But back in 2007, Delta completely lost my bag in a domestic flight within the US. It was painful and I got compensation, but it's not like I could go buy my favorite clothes again. Since then, I always take photos of my contents (folded on bed) and bags before traveling (even if just carry-on). I also keep a paper inside suitcase with home and destination addresses, as well as my contact information, if bag gets delayed/lost and outside tag removed.

I agree with Carol now - The Montreal Convention sets the rules for lost and delayed airline luggage - It is the operating airline, not the ticketing airline, that is responsible. Recently, in November 2025, I was ticketed with United, as one ticket... Chicago ORD through Rome FCO connecting on Turkish Air to Istanbul IST. Luggage did not arrive in Istanbul. My luggage was eventually returned to me at my Illinois home 21 days later, 4 days after I returned home. Never had it during my vacation. Although it was United that had tagged my luggage in Chicago, it was with Turkish Air that I filed the claim. I filed the claim upon arriving at the Istanbul airport without my luggage that was still in Rome. (I had an Air Tag in my bag). I also received compensation from Turkish Airlines, via wire transfer to my checking account, for all my documented purchases I made in Istanbul.

The consumer advocate Christopher Elliott is probably your best resource here.

There might still be a similar advocate on the NY Times website.

My wife is trying to maintain before buying new makeup, brushes and clothes.

Would definitely hold off for at least a couple weeks, ( or whenever they advise the bags are truly "gone") especially clothes purchases.

If the airline is saying the bags are in Munich and you flew Munich to Denver on Lufthansa, then I believe Lufthansa is responsible for getting your bags to you. Did you file a delayed/lost baggage claim when you arrived LAX on United from Denver? You should have a claim number to log in online to view updates on the current status of your claim. Best of luck to you.