Lost, damaged or delayed bags: your rights
For checked bags, the Montreal Convention makes the airline liable for proven loss, damage or delay, up to 1,519 Special Drawing Rights per passenger. Report it at the airport and claim in writing within 7 days for damage, or 21 days after a delayed bag arrives.
Checked 9 Oct
Keep the Property Irregularity Report (PIR) from the airport desk, your bag tag and receipts for what you had to buy. A bag missing for 21 days can be treated as lost.
Details
Montreal Convention 1999: Airline liability for baggage and proven losses on international flights, capped in Special Drawing Rights.
Questions
What is a PIR?
The Property Irregularity Report. You fill it in at the airport's baggage desk before you leave. It gives you a file number and shows you reported the problem in time.
My bag is late. What can I claim?
Reasonable costs for what you needed while it was missing, such as toiletries and clothes, with receipts, up to the Montreal Convention's limit. Claim in writing within 21 days of getting it back.
How far back can I claim?
It depends on the country whose courts would hear the claim. On many EU routes it is several years. The check tells you for your flight.
What does FlyHandled cost?
Checking your flight is free. If we handle the claim, the fee is 25% of what the airline pays, VAT included, plus 15% only if it goes to court, and nothing if it pays nothing.