In the whirlwind of modern air travel, it’s easy for items to slip through the cracks. From forgotten phones to misplaced passports, Houston Airports Lost and Found at George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) and William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) handle a staggering array of lost belongings.

“We see it all,” said Daniel Mendez, a Customer Service Representative at Hobby Airport Lost and Found. “From cellphones and jewelry to the truly bizarre, like 50-inch TVs.”

Thousands of passengers pass through the terminals every day, each carrying a unique set of belongings. When items go missing, the Houston Airports Lost and Found team becomes the first line of defense in reuniting owners with their cherished possessions.

“We understand the stress of losing something important,” Mendez said. “Our goal is to make every effort to return lost items to their rightful owners.”

From the moment an item is turned in, Houston Airports Lost and Found begins a meticulous process of cataloging and storing it. A detailed description is created and the item is securely held for 30 days. During this time, the team employs a variety of methods to locate the owner, including examining ticket stubs, phone numbers and even social media.

“We’ve used Facebook to track down passengers before,” Mendez said. “It's amazing how often social media can help us reunite people with their belongings.”

While the majority of lost items are relatively common — phones, wallets, keys — Houston Airports Lost and Found has encountered its share of unusual discoveries. From car keys to forgotten electronics, the airports have seen it all.

In Fiscal Year 2024: 

• Hobby Airport received 1,587 items and returned nearly 80% of the items to their owners. 
• Bush Airport received 4,542 items and returned nearly 60% of the items to their owners.

Earlier this summer, Bush Airport reunited Donnie Campbell with his laptop after he accidentally left it at a restaurant inside Terminal A. “I wanted to send a compliment and a huge thank you to the wonderful people in the Lost and Found Department,” Campbell wrote via a Houston Airports online feedback form. "They were simply so wonderful in helping me get my laptop back to me. You are such good people!” 

Campbell noted the Lost and Found staff and Houston Airports Customer Service Representative Gabriele Mckown, who talked him through the reporting and recovery process. “The entire process was seamless and very rewarding on my side,” wrote Campbell. "I just had to write a note of thanks. Truly appreciated! Thank you!” 

For those who believe they’ve lost an item at either airport, the process of recovery is straightforward. Visitors can inquire in person or by phone, providing a detailed description of the lost item and proof of ownership.

“It’s clear our team takes great pride in ensuring a positive outcome for our passengers,” said Russell Marine, Division Manager – Customer Service for Houston Airports. “Having such dedicated and caring individuals on the team makes a significant difference, and I wanted to acknowledge and celebrate that.” 

While the work can be challenging, the satisfaction of reuniting a passenger with a lost item is a reward in itself. “Knowing that we’ve helped someone recover something important makes the job worthwhile,” said Mendez.

The Process of Reuniting Passengers with Their Belongings

Houston Airports, the TSA and airlines all manage Lost and Found options. If an item is left at a TSA Checkpoint, the passenger should first check with TSA. If an item is left on an airplane or inside an airline lounge, the passenger should check with the airline first. If an item was left somewhere else in the airport. 

**Individuals must provide a detailed description, proof of ownership, and a valid government-issued photo ID or driver’s license to claim an item.

Bush Airport Lost & Found

3870 North Terminal Road (Terminal E 1st Level)

Open daily from 7:00 AM to 11:00 PM, including holidays. 

Visitors can report lost or misplaced articles in person, online using the "Report Now" link or by phone at 1-833-253-2940. 

Click here to learn more about TSA and Airline Lost and Found at Bush Airport.

Hobby Airport Lost & Found 

7800 Airport Blvd (Baggage Claim)

Open daily from 7:00 AM to 11:00 PM, including holidays. 

Visitors can report lost or misplaced articles in person, online using the "Report Now" link or by phone at 1-833-274-7020

Items found at both airports are held for 30 days. After this period, unclaimed items are salvaged. 

Click here to learn more about TSA and Airline Lost and Found at Hobby Airport.

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