Dubai Airport Lost and Found — Complete Recovery Guide
Millions Pass Through — Things Get Left Behind
Dubai International Airport is one of the busiest airports on the planet. Over 80 million passengers pass through its terminals every year, and with that kind of volume, items get left behind constantly — at security checkpoints, boarding gates, lounges, restaurants, bathrooms, and inside aircraft.
The good news is that DXB has a well-organised lost and found system, and most items do get recovered when you act quickly. This guide tells you exactly how.
What People Lose Most at Dubai Airport
Before we get into the process, here is what gets reported lost at DXB most often based on data from Foundly's transport and travel listings:
Mobile phones and chargers
Passports and travel documents
Wallets and purses
Laptops and tablets left at security screening
Jewellery removed at security and forgotten
Jackets and coats left on seats
Children's items — toys, tablets, headphones
Duty free shopping bags
Car keys and house keys
Medication and prescription glasses
If your item is on this list, you are not alone and there is a clear process to get it back.
Step 1: Retrace Your Steps Immediately
If you are still inside the airport, go back to the last place you remember having the item. The most common spots where items are left behind:
Security checkpoints — trays at screening are the number one spot. People grab their bags but leave behind watches, belts, phones, laptops, and jewellery
Boarding gates — charging stations near the seats are a hotspot for forgotten phones and cables
Airport lounges — items left on tables, sofas, and bathroom counters
Restaurants and cafes — wallets and phones left after paying
Bathrooms — phones, bags, and documents left on counters or hooks
Duty free shops — shopping bags left at counters after browsing another store
If someone picked it up, it likely went to the nearest information desk or directly to the airport lost and found office.
Step 2: Contact Dubai Airport Lost and Found
DXB operates a centralised lost and found service. Here is how to reach them:
In person:
Terminal 1: Lost and found office located in the arrivals hall
Terminal 2: Lost and found desk near the arrivals exit
Terminal 3: Lost and found office in the arrivals area (this is the Emirates terminal — the busiest one)
By phone:
Call Dubai Airports at +971 4 224 5555
Ask to be connected to the lost and found department for your terminal
Online:
Visit the Dubai Airports contact page and submit a lost item enquiry
Include your flight number, date of travel, terminal, and a detailed description of the item
Response time: DXB typically responds within 24 to 72 hours. If your item was found, they will ask you to collect it in person or arrange a courier for items left behind by passengers who have already departed.
Step 3: Post It on Foundly
While you wait for the airport's response, post your lost item on Foundly immediately. Here is why this matters:
Not everything that is found at the airport gets logged into the official system right away
A fellow passenger, airport staff member, or lounge attendant might find your item and post it on Foundly before it reaches the official lost and found desk
Foundly's smart matching system works 24/7 — if someone posts a found item matching your description, you get notified instantly
When creating your post, include:
The terminal number (T1, T2, or T3)
Your flight number and date
The specific area (Gate B23, security checkpoint, Emirates lounge, etc.)
A detailed description of the item
Enable the Sensitive Post option if the item contains personal documents like a passport or visa. This keeps the photo hidden from the public and only shows it during the verified claim process
Browse found items in the transport and travel category to check if someone has already posted your item.
Step 4: Contact Your Airline
If you left something on the aircraft or at the boarding gate, your airline's lost and found team is your best bet.
Emirates:
Call: +971 600 555 555
Use the Emirates app to report a lost item under "Manage your booking"
Emirates holds found items for up to 90 days
Flydubai:
Call: +971 600 544 445
Email their customer service through the flydubai website
Items found on board are sent to their lost property office at Terminal 2
Etihad (for Abu Dhabi connections):
Call: +971 600 508 080
Report through the Etihad website under "Travel support"
Other airlines:
Contact the airline directly through their website or call centre
Ask specifically for their lost property or baggage services department
Always provide your booking reference, seat number, flight number, and a detailed description of the item.
Step 5: File a Police Report (If Needed)
For high-value items like laptops, expensive jewellery, or large amounts of cash, file a report with Dubai Police:
Through the Dubai Police app
Through the Dubai Police website
At the police post inside the airport
You will receive a case number. Keep this for insurance claims.
What If You Have Already Left Dubai?
If you have already boarded your connecting flight or left the country entirely, you can still recover your item:
Call Dubai Airports at +971 4 224 5555 and file a report over the phone
Email the lost and found department with your flight details and item description
Post it on Foundly — our platform works online so it does not matter where you are in the world
Ask the airport to courier the item to your home address (shipping fees apply and vary based on destination)
If you are returning to Dubai soon, ask them to hold the item — DXB holds unclaimed items for up to 90 days
Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC)
If you flew through Dubai's second airport, Al Maktoum International in Dubai South, the process is slightly different:
Contact DWC directly at +971 4 224 5555 (same central number as DXB)
The lost and found office is located in the terminal arrivals area
DWC handles less passenger volume so response times are usually faster
Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH) — Quick Reference
If you lost something at Zayed International Airport in Abu Dhabi:
Call: +971 2 505 5555
Visit the lost and found desk in the arrivals hall
Report online through the Abu Dhabi Airports website
Post on Foundly and select Abu Dhabi as your city for maximum local visibility
Browse lost and found items in Abu Dhabi on Foundly
Sharjah Airport (SHJ) — Quick Reference
For items lost at Sharjah International Airport:
Call: +971 6 558 1111
Visit the information desk in the terminal
Post on Foundly and select Sharjah as your city
Browse lost and found items in Sharjah on Foundly
Tips to Avoid Losing Items at the Airport
At security: Count your trays. If you used three trays, collect three trays. Wait until all your items come through before walking away
At the gate: Before boarding, do a seat check — look under and around your chair for phones, chargers, books, and jackets
On the plane: Before landing, check the seat pocket, the floor under your seat, and the overhead bin
At baggage claim: Do not put your phone or wallet down on the carousel ledge while waiting for your bag
General: Use a bright or distinctive phone case and luggage tag — they are easier to describe and spot
Register on Foundly before you travel so you can post and get matched instantly if something goes missing
Found Something at the Airport?
If you found an item at DXB, AUH, or SHJ, you can hand it to the nearest information desk or airport staff. But if you want to help the owner find it faster, post it on Foundly as a found item. Enable the Sensitive Post option for any documents, passports, or IDs to keep personal details secure. Our matching system will try to connect it with any active lost item reports in the same area.
