Virgin / Heathrow lost baggage help

[cashmax]

Got my brothers family over for Xmas (from New York) - They are going onto Europe for a planned skiing trip in a few days. All their ski equipment and clothing was not loaded onto the flight and after several days of phone calls, managed to get them loaded onto a delta flight and they arrived at LHR T3 this morning. He can see they are there because they have airtags, but the system tells him they are still in JFK.

He is having no joy with any phone numbers of the airline/heathrow and is worried they are likely to remain off the system for another few days and he is flying to Europe on 27th from Luton.

Just wondered if anyone had similar problems and what strategies might be employed to get hold of his bags. Literally every phone number is answer phone or doesn't work, so contacting the airline baggage desk is seemingly impossible?

[//j17]

Not done a lost bag with Virgin but as a full service airline you should be fine as they shouldn't quibble about 'reasonable expenses' - and as they are going on a ski holiday renting kit and buying ski gear qualify as 'reasonable expenses'. And it's up to the airline to get your bag to you, they just need to update them with where they're going be be/when.

Had a friend who's bag didn't make for a ski trip on a BA flight leading to the best part of €1,000 for everything from underpants through salopets and ski jacket, all at ski resort prices. Bag appeared at our accomodation on the Monday/recepits submitted online Monday evening/money in his account before we caught the return flight at the end fo the week.