Delayed, lost or damaged baggage? You may be owed reimbursement.
When an airline mishandles your checked bag, the Montreal Convention — not EU261 flight compensation — governs what you can claim. The key is to file a report at the airport and act within strict deadlines. Check what may apply to your case.
Checked by the FlightCompensations editorial team
Last updated 1 July 2026 · Editorial & corrections policy
Direct answer
Key takeaways
- Baggage is covered by the Montreal Convention, not by EU261's €250–€600 flight-compensation bands.
- Airline liability is capped at approximately 1,519 SDR per passenger — an approximate figure that moves with exchange rates.
- Always file a Property Irregularity Report (PIR) at the airport before you leave the baggage area.
- Deadlines are strict: commonly within 7 days for damage and within 21 days for delayed baggage, from the date the bag was delivered.
- Reasonable essential purchases during a delay may be reimbursed against receipts, up to the liability limit.
What qualifies — and what usually doesn't
May qualify for compensation
- Your baggage was checked in with the airline (this covers checked, not carry-on, bags).
- The bag was delayed, lost or arrived damaged on a flight operated by a carrier bound by the Montreal Convention.
- You reported the problem to the airline — ideally via a PIR at the airport.
- You claimed in writing within the applicable deadline and can evidence your loss or expenses.
Usually excluded
- Amounts above the Montreal Convention liability cap of roughly 1,519 SDR, unless you made a special higher-value declaration and paid any fee.
- Claims filed after the deadline (commonly 7 days for damage, 21 days for delay, from delivery of the bag).
- Damage from an inherent defect of the baggage, or from fragile or perishable items packed in checked luggage.
- Certain valuables, electronics or cash that airlines commonly exclude or limit — check the conditions of carriage.
Rights by jurisdiction
For EU/EEA airlines, the Montreal Convention is applied through EU law, making the carrier liable for delayed, lost or damaged checked baggage up to about 1,519 SDR per passenger.
This baggage liability is separate from EU261 flight-delay compensation. A PIR and the standard damage and delay deadlines apply, and reasonable essential-purchase costs during a delay may be reimbursed with receipts.
What to do
- 1Report the problem before leaving the airport and file a Property Irregularity Report (PIR).
- 2Keep the PIR reference, your bag tags and your boarding pass.
- 3For delayed bags, keep receipts for reasonable essential purchases while you wait.
- 4For damage, photograph the bag and its contents and claim within about 7 days of delivery.
- 5For delayed baggage, submit a written claim within about 21 days of the bag being returned; check your options if the bag is declared lost.
Documents to keep
How to claim
- 1Gather your PIR reference, bag tags, boarding pass and receipts.
- 2Tell us whether the bag was delayed, lost or damaged, and when it was returned.
- 3We help prepare a written claim to the airline within the applicable deadline.
- 4If reimbursement is recovered, you receive the airline's payment and pay our fixed €39 fee.
Frequently asked questions
How much can I claim for a lost or delayed bag?
Under the Montreal Convention, airline liability for checked baggage is capped at around 1,519 SDR per passenger — an approximate amount that varies with exchange rates. You are reimbursed for your actual, proven loss or reasonable expenses up to that limit, not a fixed sum.
What is a PIR and do I need one?
A Property Irregularity Report is the form you file with the airline at the airport to record delayed, lost or damaged baggage. It is important evidence, so file it before you leave the baggage area and keep the reference number.
What are the deadlines?
They are strict. For damaged baggage you generally must claim within about 7 days of receiving the bag, and for delayed baggage within about 21 days of it being delivered. Check the exact limits for your airline and route as soon as possible.
Is this the same as EU261 flight compensation?
No. EU261 and UK261 cover flight delays and cancellations with fixed €250–€600 amounts. Baggage is handled separately under the Montreal Convention, which reimburses proven loss up to its liability cap. The two can apply to the same trip independently.
Check if your flight qualifies
Free in about 15 seconds. You receive the airline's compensation and pay only our fixed €39 fee after success.
Check my flight