Lost or Delayed Luggage - Claim Compensation

Guide to claiming compensation for lost, damaged, or delayed baggage under Montreal Convention 1999. Up to 1,288 SDR (~£1,400). PIR form requirements and airline liability.

Quick Answer

If your luggage is lost, damaged, or delayed, you can claim compensation under the Montreal Convention 1999. Maximum liability: 1,288 SDR (approximately £1,400) per passenger for lost baggage. For delayed baggage (delivered more than 21 days after arrival), claim essential items costs (toiletries, underwear, etc.). File a Property Irregularity Report (PIR) at the airport within 7 days. Provide baggage receipts, proof of contents, repair quotes (for damaged items), and receipts for replacement items (for delayed bags). Most airlines settle within 2-3 months if documentation is complete.

How to Claim for Lost or Delayed Luggage

1

File PIR at Airport / Immediately After

Before leaving the airport, report baggage to airline baggage service. Obtain a Property Irregularity Report (PIR) form - document the loss/damage/delay. Get PIR reference number. Document bag description, contents list if possible, flight number, date. If you cannot file at airport, file within 7 days by email/phone. The sooner you report, the stronger your claim.

2

Gather Evidence & Proof of Contents

Collect: baggage receipt/tag, airline ticket, photos of bag if lost (or damage if delivered damaged), list of contents with values, purchase receipts for items in bag (if available), repair quotes for damaged items, receipts for essential replacements (toiletries, clothing purchased while awaiting bag). Witness statements help if multiple people lost luggage together.

3

Send Claim to Airline

Send formal claim letter with PIR reference, supporting evidence, and total compensation amount requested (up to 1,288 SDR / £1,400). Airlines typically respond within 8 weeks. If they refuse or offer inadequate compensation, escalate to airline's complaints department, then ADR or court claim. Small claims court (up to £10,000) is straightforward for lost baggage.

What the Law Says

Montreal Convention 1999 Article 17: Airline Baggage Liability
Airlines are liable for damage to or loss of checked baggage. Maximum liability: 1,288 SDR (Special Drawing Rights - approx £1,400) per passenger. This covers the value of lost items plus any reasonable expenses incurred due to loss (replacement items). Airlines can limit liability only if they give notice and passenger had opportunity to declare higher value (rarely done).
Montreal Convention Article 19: Delayed Baggage
If baggage is delayed and delivered more than 21 days after arrival, it is presumed lost. Passenger can claim for reasonable expenses incurred due to delay: essential items (toiletries, underwear, medication, phone charger), accommodation if delayed overnight. Maximum: 1,288 SDR. If baggage arrives within 21 days, claim only reasonable delay expenses, not full value of contents.
Proof of Value & Contents
Burden of proof is shared: airline challenges excessive claims; passenger must prove contents and values with receipts if possible. Courts accept reasonable estimates of contents if receipts unavailable. Wear and tear reduces claim value (5-year-old shoes worth less than new purchase). Keep receipts for major items; photographs of bag contents help.
7-Day Reporting Requirement (Practical Deadline)
While Montreal Convention doesn't mandate 7-day deadline, airlines' terms and conditions typically require formal claim within 7 days. Filing PIR at airport satisfies this. Reporting within 7 days strengthens your claim and avoids disputes over timing. Late reporting (weeks later) can be dismissed if airline claims inability to investigate.

Common Luggage Claim Scenarios

Lost Checked Baggage

Checked bag does not arrive at destination. File PIR immediately. List contents with estimated values. Maximum claim: 1,288 SDR (~£1,400). If baggage contained high-value items (jewelry, electronics), you may not recover full value unless declared separately at check-in. Provide receipts for items if possible; reasonable estimates accepted if not.

Delayed Baggage (Arrives 5 Days Late)

Baggage delayed 5 days. File PIR reporting delay. Claim expenses for essential items purchased during delay (underwear, toiletries, phone charger): typically £50-£150. Claim is for delay expenses, not full value of contents (since bag eventually arrived). Keep receipts for replacement items.

Baggage Damaged During Transport

Checked bag arrives damaged (ripped, broken wheels, contents damaged). File PIR with photos of damage. Get repair quotes. Claim cost of repair or replacement. Maximum: 1,288 SDR. If repair cost exceeds replacement, claim replacement value. Provide photos of damage and quotes.

Contents Damaged or Stolen from Baggage

Bag arrives, contents are stolen or damaged. File PIR. Airline is liable for contents damage under Montreal Convention (bag is airline's responsibility). List damaged/stolen items with values and receipts. Claim up to 1,288 SDR total for bag + contents.

Valuable Items in Lost Bag

Bag contained laptop, jewelry, or electronics worth over £1,400. You cannot recover full value under Montreal Convention (capped at 1,288 SDR). Declaration of higher value at check-in could increase liability; most airlines don't do this. Claim maximum available (£1,400) plus file separate claim under travel insurance if applicable.

Airline Refuses to Acknowledge Loss

Airline claims no record of your bag. Demand PIR copy and check airline's baggage system (reference number). If airline refuses to investigate, escalate to airline complaints department, then ADR / court. Delays in investigation do not prevent claim; 2-year deadline from flight applies.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a PIR form and why is it important? +
Property Irregularity Report (PIR) is the airline's official document recording lost, damaged, or delayed baggage. It creates a formal record with reference number, description of bag, and details. Filing PIR within 7 days is essential - most airlines require this to process claims. Without PIR, you have limited evidence of loss. Get PIR copy as proof of reporting.
What is the maximum I can claim for lost baggage? +
1,288 Special Drawing Rights (SDR), approximately £1,400. This is the Montreal Convention 1999 cap. No exceptions. If your bag contained items worth more, you can claim up to £1,400. Travel insurance may cover additional value if you have baggage coverage.
Do I need receipts to prove contents of my lost bag? +
Receipts help but aren't strictly required. Courts accept reasonable estimates of contents if receipts unavailable (most people don't keep receipts for clothing/toiletries). However, provide as much evidence as you can: photos of bag if you have them, shopping lists, witness statements. For high-value items, receipts are important.
How long do I have to claim for lost baggage? +
Montreal Convention allows 2 years from arrival date (or when baggage should have arrived) to file claim. File PIR within 7 days of loss/damage, then send formal claim to airline. Early filing (days/weeks after loss) is best; courts may dismiss very late claims (years after loss).
Does travel insurance replace Montreal Convention compensation? +
No. Montreal Convention compensation (£1,400 max) and travel insurance claims are separate. You can pursue both: claim from airline up to £1,400, and separately claim from your travel insurance for amounts exceeding £1,400 (if your policy covers it). Always claim from airline first.
Do I need solicitor for lost baggage claim? +
No. Baggage claims are straightforward. Most airlines settle within 2-3 months if you provide PIR, photos, and receipts. If airline refuses, county court small claims (up to £10,000) is simple and doesn't require solicitor. Solicitor (optional, £100-£200/hour) helps if airline disputes heavily.

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