Lost, Delayed, or Damaged Baggage Compensation When You Arrive In India

Last Updated on May 8th, 2025 by Heena Ganotra, 2 comments

Watching the luggage emerge from the carousel in a damaged condition is a scary feeling. More so if it doesn’t come at all. It is an inconvenience that can put a damper on your trip, especially when you arrive in India – a country you only want to take back good memories from.

While the non-arrival/arrival of damaged baggage is a feeling nobody wants to be a part of, unfortunately, it can happen to you or your loved ones. Hence, staying up the game in KNOWING YOUR RIGHTS about lost/damaged/delayed baggage compensation will help you turn a frustrating situation into a manageable one.

How To Claim Delayed Baggage Compensation?

If your bag is delayed, you have to file a PRI as soon as possible. Usually, they have a specific time limit for reporting delayed baggage compensation. When a checked bag does not arrive at its destination, airlines are responsible for this and they have to compensate passengers. 

Your Rights If Your Luggage Is Damaged, Delayed, Or Lost At An Indian Airport

In India, the Carriage by Air Act 1972 is the relevant statute that incorporates the conventions (Warsaw, Hague, and Montreal Conventions) into local law. The DGCA, through CAR Section 3, Series M, Part VI provides the following baggage compensation for delayed luggage/lost luggage/damaged luggage – 

Lost/Damaged/Delayed Baggage Compensation By Domestic Carriers

• The airline is liable to pay up to INR 20,000 per passenger in case your BAGGAGE is delayed, damaged, or lost. 
• The airline is liable to pay up to INR 350 per kg in case your CARGO is delayed, damaged, or lost.

Delayed/Damaged/Lost Baggage Compensation By International Carriers

• The airline is liable to pay up to 1131 SDR per passenger in case your BAGGAGE is delayed, damaged, or lost. 
• The airline is liable to pay up to 19 SDR per kg in case your CARGO is delayed, damaged, or lost.

**SDR or Special Drawing Rights is maintained by the International Monetary Fund. 

Note: Note: The liability limits (for compensation for delayed baggage/lost baggage/damaged baggage) are revised once every five years by the UN body International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) on the basis of a determined inflation factor of 13.1 percent, triggering an adjustment in the limits.

Procedure To Follow For The Compensation

• Approach the counter of the airline you traveled in. 
• File a Property Irregularity Report (PIR), duly filling in the details of the baggage. 

Insight – PIR or Property Irregularity report is a statement from the airline with a reference code to track the baggage and may include details of the damaged bag and its contents as reported by the traveler. It is an acknowledgment that you indeed reported your delayed, lost, or damaged baggage.

Remember – Keep the boarding pass handy as it has the luggage tags through which the airlines can track the checked-in bags. If the bag is not found within 21 days, it can be officially declared lost.

Deadlines For Claiming Compensation

It’s a good idea to check with the airlines first. But, most of the airlines follow below-mentioned deadlines –

What you’re claiming for	Deadline for claiming
Damaged Luggage	7 Days after getting your luggage
Missing Or Damaged Contents	7 Days after getting your luggage
Delayed or missing Luggage	21 Days after the flight
It’s officially lost after 21 days	As soon as possible after it’s officially lost

Policies Of Major Airlines 

Here are the policies of the major airlines’ compensation for delayed luggage/lost luggage/damaged luggage –

United Airlines Lost Baggage Compensation

If your baggage is lost on United Airlines, you have to apply for airline lost baggage compensation – report to the office as soon as possible and file a proper property irregularity report. Then, the airline will initiate a search for your lost baggage.

British Airways Lost Baggage Compensation

If you lost your baggage on British Airways, then you have to claim compensation for lost baggage British Airways – report immediately and fill out a form of Property Irregularity Report (PRI) to get compensation. Keep all your documents & receipts handy for tracking your bag. Airlines have limits on the amount of compensation they provide for lost baggage. The amount may only cover part of the amount of compensation they provide for lost baggage. The compensation amount for baggage lost British Airways may not cover the full value of your bag. 

American Airlines Lost Baggage Compensation

If your bag is lost on American Airlines, then you have to apply for American Airlines lost baggage compensation, – notify the airline immediately usually they have a specific time limit for reporting lost baggage. Then, they will provide you with a Property Irregularity Report (PIR) which is essential for tracking and claiming purposes. Keep the PRI number handy for reference. Check if you have travel insurance that covers lost baggage American Airlines. Some credit cards also offer baggage loss insurance as a benefit, as per the claim baggage American Airlines policy. 

Delta Delayed Baggage Compensation 

To Claim delayed baggage Delta compensation, report the office at the airport. They will provide you with a property irregularity report (PRI). Delta may provide compensation for delayed luggage-essential items such as toiletries and clothing if your baggage is significantly delayed. Keep receipts for these purchases. Delta will make efforts to deliver your delayed baggage to your designated address once it is located. Ensure that you provide accurate contact information. If your baggage is not located within a specified timeframe, you may be eligible to file a compensation claim. Check if your travel insurance provides coverage for delayed baggage. 

Lufthansa Lost Baggage Compensation 

To have lost baggage Lufthansa compensation – notify Lufthansa as soon as possible to obtain a property irregularity Report (PIR) & keep it for reference. Utilize any available online tools or contact Lufthansa’s customer service to track the status of your lost baggage. Some credit cards may also offer baggage and adherence to these timelines is crucial for the claim process.

Air Canada Lost Baggage Compensation 

Report the loss of your baggage to Air Canada as soon as you discover it’s lost. Ask Air Canada customer service to track the status of lost baggage. Check if you have travel insurance that covers lost baggage.

Southwest Lost Baggage Compensation 

Notify Southwest Airlines as soon as possible to obtain PRI and keep it for reference. The PRI number is crucial for tracking. The compensation may not cover the full value of your last items. Some credit cards may also offer baggage loss insurance as a benefit. 

Documents You’ll Need While Claiming Compensation

Ask the airline what documents you’ll need. However, usually, they ask for the below-mentioned documents while claiming baggage lost compensation – 

• Boarding pass
• Your luggage labels
• Proof that you reported the problem.
• Receipts for things you had to buy because of a delay.
• Proof of purchase for last or damaged things, eg – Receipts or credit card statements. 
• Photos of any damage to your luggage or contents.
• Cost estimates for any repairs you’re claiming for. 

Damaged Baggage | Exceptions

You are liable for compensation only if the damage doesn’t happen due to overpacking or because of deliberate intentions to damage. Airlines have also been given certain immunity against damage. 

The airlines have no liability for damage including but not limited to –

• Broken feet/wheels or handles/straps
• Damage to overpacked/oversized bags
• Damage due to unsuitable packing
• Damage to pull handles/lost pull handles
• Items of a fragile or perishable nature
• Manufacturer’s defects

Official Statistics 

According to the Ministry of Civil Aviation, less than 0.1% of flyers face inconvenience while flying. Other data shows that of the roughly 115 million pieces of luggage put on a plane between November 2022 and January 2023, less than 1% was lost or damaged. 

While the numbers are less, this can happen with anyone. Hence, staying abreast of the latest passenger rights is a must.

For more such details and valuable insights, keep following MyTicketsToIndia. 

We are the leading flight-booking portal for cheap flight tickets to India. Our experts know the ins and outs of the aviation industry and go above and beyond to help the passengers. Right from booking ticket to India to helping you know your flying rights, we are here at every step. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How to get compensation for lost baggage in India?

A: Airlines can be held responsible for a maximum of approximately $1,735 per passenger in international travel. Rest, know all the rights and information about compensation for lost, damaged, or delayed baggage in India before planning to fly. 

Q: What should I do if my baggage is lost, delayed, or damaged when I arrive in India?

A: Report the issue to the airline’s baggage service desk immediately. Keep the Property Irregularity Report (PIR) number provided for tracking. Provide details and follow the airline’s instructions for possible compensation.