How much is the EU delayed baggage compensation?

Under the Convention, passengers whose luggage is delayed, damaged, or does not arrive at all are entitled to compensation. The amount of this compensation is around 1,385 euros maximum per person, regardless of the number of pieces of luggage.



Under the Montreal Convention and EU Regulation (EC) 889/2002, if your baggage is delayed, the airline is liable for the "damages" caused by that delay. This typically covers the cost of "essential items" like toiletries, underwear, and a change of clothes while you wait for your bag. The maximum compensation limit is approximately 1,288 Special Drawing Rights (SDR), which in early 2026 converts to roughly €1,600 to €1,700 per passenger. This is not a flat-rate payment; you must provide receipts for your purchases to be reimbursed. If your bag is officially declared "lost" (usually after 21 days), you can claim for the total value of the suitcase and its contents up to that same limit. It is critical to file a Property Irregularity Report (PIR) at the airport immediately before leaving the baggage hall. You then have 21 days from the date the bag is returned to submit a formal written claim for expenses. Note that if the delay happened on your way home, airlines often argue that "essentials" are not needed since you have clothes at your residence.

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According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, you are entitled to compensation for reasonable incidental expenses you incur because of your delayed baggage, up to the maximum liability limits, set by statute. For U.S. domestic flights, this is $3,800 per passenger.

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Similar to flight delay compensation amounts, you are entitled to reimbursement when a EU261-covered flight is canceled of up to 600 euros ($645). If your flight is canceled, the airline will also offer you three options, which are: Rerouting you to your final destination.

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Start by searching your airline's name with EU261.
You'll need to file the claim with the operating airline responsible for the flight delay or cancelation. It can take some time to get a response from an airline, so give it a few weeks to a month or so before following up if you don't get a response.

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If departing from a non-member country, the airline must be licensed in a Member State. The EU recently expanded this rule to include flights departing from the EU to the U.S. and some other countries, and even connecting flights within the U.S. operated by U.S. partners of EU airlines.

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Lost, Damaged, or Delayed Luggage If your baggage is lost, delayed, or damaged on flights that are covered under EU261, there are protections in place. If your baggage is delayed or lost, you can claim damages up to ?1,300 ($1,728 CAD).

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How To Claim Delayed Baggage Compensation - A Guide
  1. Contact a Baggage Claim Desk. ...
  2. File your delayed baggage claim immediately. ...
  3. Request an overnight kit. ...
  4. Ask for an allowance for reasonable expenses. ...
  5. Check the status, wait and be patient. ...
  6. Claim your rights formally.


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According to the DOT, airlines are not required to provide money or other compensation when flights get delayed, regardless of how late they are. However, when a “significant delay” takes place, passengers may receive refunds for seat selection fees or checked baggage fees.

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According to the DOT, airlines are not required to provide money or other compensation when flights get delayed, regardless of how late they are. However, when a “significant delay” takes place, passengers may receive refunds for seat selection fees or checked baggage fees.

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In the case of checked baggage, the airline is liable, regardless of fault, for the delayed baggage. The right applies only if the Delayed Baggage Report and the claim for compensation have been submitted within the time limits specified in the agreement.

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How Often Do Airlines Lose Luggage? Luggage Hero recently found that more than 680,000 bags were either lost or mishandled in the first quarter of 2022 alone. This means that roughly seven out of every one thousand bags will experience issues during transportation.

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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.

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In that case, you are covered by EU legislation under European Regulation EU261, which covers passengers who have experienced a flight delay or cancellation or have been denied boarding due to overbooking. If your flight qualifies, an airline may be required to pay up to $700 in compensation under this law.

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Meals, refreshments and two telephone calls or emails are provided for: A delay of two hours or more on flights of 1,500 km (932 miles) or less. A delay of three hours or more on intra-EU flights of more than 1,500 km (932 miles) and all other flights between 1,500 km (932 miles) and 3,500 km (2,175 miles)

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Examples of extraordinary circumstances Acts of terrorism or sabotage. Security risks. Political or civil unrest. Hidden manufacturing defects (a manufacturer recall that grounds a fleet of aircraft)

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Tweeting at the airline's customer service team, submitting a request for compensation online or writing a letter the old fashioned way are other options that have met with success…

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