4 September 2026
Montreal Convention Article 31 — why baggage claim deadlines are so short
Damaged bags: 7 days. Delayed bags: 21 days. Miss Article 31 and the airline may reject your claim entirely — here is what passengers need to know.
If your checked baggage is delayed, damaged or lost on an international flight, airline liability is often governed by the 1999 Montreal Convention. Most passengers focus on how much they might recover. Equally important — and easier to miss — are the written complaint deadlines in Article 31.
The deadlines that matter
- Damaged baggage: you generally must complain in writing within 7 days of receiving the bag.
- Delayed baggage: you generally must complain in writing within 21 days from the date the baggage was placed at your disposal.
- Formal actions: claims for damages are often subject to a separate two-year limit (Article 35).
These complaint periods are short on purpose. Airlines and courts treat them seriously. If you wait weeks to report damage you noticed at the carousel, the carrier may say the claim is time-barred — even with photos and receipts.
What to do at the airport
- Report the issue before you leave the baggage hall whenever possible.
- Keep the PIR (Property Irregularity Report) or equivalent reference number.
- Keep baggage tags, boarding passes and booking confirmations.
- Photograph damage and list missing items while details are fresh.
- Keep receipts for essentials you buy because your bag is delayed.
How BaggageRefund helps
BaggageRefund.com helps passengers file delayed, damaged and lost baggage claims via our secure portal — with clear guidance so Article 31 windows are not missed. Checking eligibility is free; we work on a no win, no fee basis.
Ready to start? Use the baggage claims portal.
This article is general information, not legal advice.