Arriving at your destination only to find your luggage missing from the baggage carousel, or seeing your suitcase emerging cracked and torn, is an absolute travel nightmare. Fortunately, international aviation law provides clear compensation mechanisms.
The Montreal Convention (1999) governs international airline liability for checked luggage across more than 135 countries worldwide, including the entire EU, UK, and United States. Under the Convention, the airline is liable for damages up to 1,288 Special Drawing Rights (SDR), which equates to approximately 1,600€ ($1,750 USD) per passenger.
The 3 Golden Rules You Must Follow: Rule 1: File a Property Irregularity Report (PIR) immediately at the airport baggage claim desk before passing through customs. This document proves the incident occurred under the airline's custody.
Rule 2: The Strict 7-Day Deadline for Damaged Bags. Under Article 31(2) of the Montreal Convention, formal written notice for damaged luggage must be submitted to the airline within 7 days of receiving the bag. Missing this deadline forfeits your claim entirely.
Rule 3: The 21-Day Rule for Delayed Bags. For delayed luggage, you have 21 days from the date the bag was returned to submit receipts for emergency clothes and toiletries purchased while waiting for your suitcase. If your bag is not returned after 21 days, it is legally declared lost, and you can claim the full value of the contents up to the 1,288 SDR limit.