Delayed baggage
When you travel with checked baggage, you have specific legal rights that protect you if your luggage is delayed. These rights come from international airline rules such as the Montreal Convention, which sets out what airlines must do and what compensation you may be entitled to. This guide explains the basics, so you know what support to expect if something goes wrong with your baggage during your journey.
If an airline delays your checked baggage, you may be able to claim compensation for the essential items you had to buy while waiting for it to arrive.
The maximum an airline usually has to pay is around £1,000, but this is only a limit - it doesn’t mean you will receive that amount.
Reporting a delayed bag
If your luggage does not appear on the baggage carousel, tell the airline straight away before leaving the airport. They should give you a Property Irregularity Report (PIR). This report is important, so keep a copy as you will likely need it when making your claim.
How to make a claim
Under the Montreal Convention, you must send your claim in writing within 21 days of receiving your luggage back. If you miss this deadline, the airline may refuse to consider your claim, so act quickly once your bag is returned.
What you can claim for
Airlines normally only reimburse reasonable and essential expenses you had to cover because your bag was delayed. This may include things like basic toiletries or underwear, especially if you were away from home and had no access to your usual belongings.
If the delay happened on your journey home, airlines often offer less compensation because you already have your everyday items available.
Airlines will not usually pay for luxury or designer purchases. Keep all receipts to show what you spent, as these are needed to support your claim.
Some airlines may offer an initial one off payment or a daily allowance to help you buy essentials while waiting for your luggage.
If your bag is never returned
If your baggage has not been returned within 21 days, it is normally treated as lost. At this point, you can make a claim for lost baggage instead of delayed baggage.
If more than one airline was involved
If your journey involved more than one airline, you may submit your claim to any of the airlines involved. In most cases, the airline that operated the final leg of your journey will handle the claim first, making it the best place to start. However, once one airline has compensated you, you cannot claim for the same loss from another airline.
Last reviewed 10 April 2026
