Lost baggage
When you travel with checked baggage, you have specific legal rights that protect you if your luggage is lost. 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 loses your checked luggage, you may be entitled to compensation.
How much compensation can you claim?
Airlines have a maximum amount they may need to pay when luggage is lost. This limit is usually around £1,000.
This is a cap, not a set amount. The airline will only pay for the actual value of the items you lost, and this may be reduced if they had worn out over time.
When should you make a complaint?
There is no strict time limit in the Montreal Convention for reporting lost baggage. However, you should complain as soon as the airline confirms that your luggage is officially lost. It is best to do this within 21 days of your flight.
Reporting the loss at the airport
If your luggage is missing, tell the airline straight away at the airport.
They should give you a Property Irregularity Report (PIR). Keep this safe, as the airline will usually ask for it when you make your claim.
What the airline will ask for
The airline will normally ask for information about what was in your luggage, including:
A full list of the items you packed
Proof of their value, such as receipts or photos
Airlines assess claims in the same way an insurance company would. They pay based on the current value of the items, not what you originally paid.
Can insurance help?
Check your travel insurance and even your home insurance, as both may include cover for lost luggage.
Remember that most insurance policies have an excess, which may reduce the amount you get back.
What about expensive items?
Airlines usually say in their terms and conditions that valuable items, like jewellery, electronics or laptops, should be carried in your hand luggage.
If you packed these in your hold luggage, the airline may refuse to pay compensation because you did not follow their rules.
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
