Recovering a lost item at Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) depends entirely on where you left it. If you lost something in the terminal, parking, or a public area, contact the Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA). If the item was left onboard your aircraft, report it directly to your airline, because the airport does not handle items found inside planes. Here is how the split works, how to file a report, and the contacts and timelines that matter.
Who handles your lost property, the airport or the airline?
The most important step is knowing which authority to contact. Many travellers call the airport for items left on planes, or call their airline for a bag forgotten at security, and lose valuable time. The line is drawn by location: the GTAA manages everything inside the airport's physical footprint, including the terminals, lounges, and parking garages, while the interior of any aircraft is the airline's responsibility.
If you set a jacket on a seat during boarding, that is "onboard" property and the airport will have no record of it, so reach out to the airline's lost and found. If you drop a wallet in a terminal washroom or leave a suitcase in a parking garage, the airline cannot help. The table below sorts it out.
| Where you lost it | Who to contact |
|---|---|
| Inside the aircraft (seats, overhead bins) | Your airline directly |
| Terminal 1 or Terminal 3 public areas | GTAA Lost and Found |
| Airport parking garages or surface lots | GTAA Lost and Found |
| UP Express train (airport rail link) | UP Express Lost and Found |
If you are not sure where the item was last seen, contact the most likely holder first. For something lost between the airport and downtown on the UP Express train, neither the airport nor your airline is responsible; you contact UP Express lost and found directly.
How to file a lost item report at YYZ
Filing with the GTAA is free and works two ways: online or in person. Online is faster to start; the in-person office helps if you are still at the airport.
To file online, use the official Toronto Pearson lost-and-found portal. You describe the item, give the approximate time and place you lost it, and add your contact details. You then get an automated email with a link to your report; keep it, as it is your reference for any follow-up. To go in person, the Lost and Found office is in Terminal 1 on the ground level, between doors R and S, open Monday to Friday from 10:00 to 18:00. The office has no direct phone line, so use the portal or email instead.
What details to include
The accuracy of your report drives how fast staff can match it. Skip "black backpack" and write "black Nike backpack with a red zipper pull and a passport inside." Add the brand, colour, size, and any distinguishing marks such as scratches, stickers, or specific contents, plus the exact time and the gate or store where you last had it. Include your full name, phone number, and email. For electronics, add the serial number, which is a unique identifier that settles any dispute over ownership.
How long does Toronto Pearson keep lost items?
The GTAA holds found items for 30 days from the date they are turned in. After that, unclaimed items may be donated, sold, or discarded, so file your report as soon as you notice the loss. Wait three weeks and you may have only days left before the item is gone.
Airlines set their own retention windows for items left onboard, and these vary by carrier, so check your airline's policy once you know the item was on the plane. Crews often turn items in soon after the flight, so the item is usually with the airline within hours.
If your item turns up inside the 30-day window, the GTAA contacts you with the details from your report. You can collect it in person at the Terminal 1 office during business hours, or ask for it to be shipped. Shipping is at your cost; the airport does not prepay it.
Tips for getting your item back
- File within 24 hours of noticing the loss, so the item stays inside the 30-day window.
- Be specific. Generic descriptions get lost in the system; precise ones get matched.
- Include serial numbers for laptops, cameras, and phones.
- If you lost it in a specific shop or lounge, ask that business first, as it may hold items before handing them to the GTAA.
- Keep a record of every email and visit, in case of a delay or a mix-up.
How to contact the GTAA Lost and Found
The main channel is email at [email protected], which is monitored regularly. For general airport questions unrelated to lost property, the main airport line is (416) 247-7678, but the Lost and Found office itself has no direct phone, so a call about a specific item usually points you back to the portal or the office. If you are still at the airport, the Terminal 1 office is your fastest route, and staff can check items turned in recently. Heading to or from the airport when you notice the loss? Our arrivals guide and YYZ basics explainer help you get oriented. Procedures can change, so confirm details on the official airport site before you travel.
