How do I get compensation for damaged luggage?

File a claim with the airline for damaged items in your bags. There are several exceptions to what the airline will cover in terms of packed items and they may deny any responsibility at all, but if you can provide a compelling case that they are liable, it might be worth your time.



People Also Ask

What are airlines' responsibilities when they damage your baggage? Airlines are responsible for repairing or reimbursing a passenger for damaged baggage and/or its contents when the damage occurs while the bag is under the airline's control during transportation (subject to maximum limits on liabilities).

MORE DETAILS

The reimbursement is based on the value of the bag and its depreciation, the DOT says, subject to liability limits. For flights within the United States, the maximum liability for a lost, delayed or damaged bag is $3,500. The limit on international flights, per the Montreal Convention, is about $1,600, the agency says.

MORE DETAILS

Under DOT regulations (for domestic travel) and international treaties (for international travel), airlines are required to compensate passengers if their bags are damaged, delayed, or lost.

MORE DETAILS

Steps to Consider if Airline Damaged Your Luggage
You can also consider filing a complaint against the airline with the Department of Transportation. Send the airline a formal complaint letter. Consider filing a lawsuit against the airline in small claims court.

MORE DETAILS

When it came to airlines that lost the most baggage, that same study found that Atlanta-based Delta Air Lines came in ninth out of 17 major airlines. “Of all national airlines, American Airlines lost the most bags in 2022, losing 850 bags per 100,000.

MORE DETAILS

Airlines are responsible for repairing or reimbursing a passenger for damaged baggage and/or its contents when the damage occurs while the bag is under the airline's control during transportation (subject to maximum limits on liabilities).

MORE DETAILS

On <date> I flew with <name of airline> from <place of departure> to <place of arrival>. This concerned flight <enter the flight number that is on your flight ticket>. Upon arrival, my baggage came off the conveyor belt damaged. <Write a short description of the damage>.

MORE DETAILS

This depends very much on the price of your bag. The more expensive your luggage is, the more likely it is to be worth repairing it. While less expensive bags may be cheaper to just replace. The cost does also depend on the repair, some things are more expensive to replace or fix than others.

MORE DETAILS

And the worst culprit for complaints? Ryanair. Figures show that over the past five years, Ryanair received close to 1,000 luggage-related complaints between 2018 and autumn 2022, more than any other aviation giant. The figures acquired by Forbes Advisor related to lost, damaged or delayed baggage.

MORE DETAILS

100 days: All bags cycle out of the WorldTracer system. After 100 days, your bags are likely lost forever and can't be tracked. Luckily, only about 2% of lost luggage is missing forever.

MORE DETAILS

You may be entitled to compensation. Citing the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), she says airlines are responsible for up to $3800 for lost or delayed luggage on domestic flights.

MORE DETAILS

Ask for compensation In general, most luggage will end up being found, so they get classified as “delayed” and not “lost.” But in that immediate time when you're without your belongings, there should be some level of compensation, depending on the exact nature of your situation.

MORE DETAILS

Most comprehensive travel insurance plans include coverage for baggage loss and, if your baggage is not permanently lost or damaged, baggage delay. Some coverage may include the cost of essential items you purchase while you wait for your delayed luggage to be returned.

MORE DETAILS