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Delayed, damaged or lost luggage: what you can claim
Updated 5 November 2026 · General information, not legal advice.
Quick answerLuggage problems are handled separately from delay compensation. Report it to the airline at the airport straight away and get a written report. Reporting deadlines are short: damage is usually within 7 days and delay within 21 days of getting your bag back. Keep receipts.
At the airport
- Report to the airline's baggage desk before you leave and get a property irregularity report (PIR).
- Keep your baggage tag, boarding pass and the report.
- Photograph any damage.
Deadlines
International rules (the Montreal Convention) commonly mean you should complain in writing within 7 days for damaged luggage and within 21 days of receiving delayed luggage. Check your airline's terms and do not wait.
Claiming costs
Keep receipts for essentials you had to buy while your bag was missing, and send them to the airline with your report.
Frequently asked questions
Is luggage covered by UK261?
No. UK261 covers delays, cancellations and denied boarding. Luggage claims follow different rules.
Sources and official bodies: CAA: delays and compensation · CAA: cancellations · CAA: resolving travel problems · GOV.UK. Reviewed 5 November 2026.