My luggage is lost, delayed or damaged — who pays?
The airline, under the Montreal Convention, up to about €1,600 per passenger — but only if you report before leaving the airport (the PIR form at the baggage desk) and claim in writing within 7 days for damage, 21 days for delay. Keep receipts for essentials you buy while waiting. If the airline refuses or ignores you, Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) (iaa.ie) supervises airlines in Ireland; ECC Ireland (01 879 7620) helps against an airline based elsewhere in the EU; your travel insurer, and Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman (FSPO) (01 567 7000) if it refuses, covers the rest.
🗣️ What to say
"Flight [number] on [date], PIR [number]. My bag [tag number] is [missing / delayed since / damaged: what]. Under the Montreal Convention I claim [the value of the contents and the bag / the cost of essentials / the repair], [amount], receipts attached, within the 7/21-day deadline."
🪜 Step by step
- Before you leave the airportBaggage desk, PIR report, keep the reference and the bag-tag stub.
- Buy essentials, keep receiptsReasonable: toiletries, underwear, a change of clothes. The airline reimburses.
- Written claim within 7 / 21 daysDamage 7 days, delay 21 days from delivery. Lost = not returned after 21 days: claim the contents with a list and any proof.
- Refusal: Irish Aviation Authority (IAA), ECC IrelandThe aviation authority or the ECC for a foreign airline; the ADR body if the airline is a member.
- InsurerTravel or contents insurance tops up above the airline's limit; Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman (FSPO) decides if they refuse.
📇 All contacts
❓ Frequently asked
What is the maximum?
About 1,288 SDR — roughly €1,600 — per passenger for all baggage, unless you declared a higher value at check-in. Above that, insurance.
They gave me a voucher
You can insist on money for a Montreal claim; vouchers are optional.
Damaged wheels and handles
Airlines like to exclude them; the Convention does not. Claim anyway and escalate.
📎 Sources
- Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) →
- ECC Ireland →
- Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman (FSPO) →
- District Court — small claims →
🔎 Common searches
Recognise your own search? The answer above covers all of these.
- “lost luggage compensation Ireland”
- “delayed baggage airline claim deadline”
- “damaged suitcase airline claim”
- “montreal convention baggage limit”
- “airline refuses luggage claim”
🧭 Is this still correct?
We check this information carefully, but phone numbers, websites and rules change — and sometimes we get something wrong. Spotted a mistake or a change? Let us know below.
⚠️ Readers report that something here may have changed — we are checking it.
✅ Thank you — this keeps the page up to date for everyone.