Lost, delayed or damaged baggage: what airlines may owe you
Baggage problems on flights to, from and within Canada are covered by the airline's tariff, the Air Passenger Protection Regulations (section 23) and, on international itineraries, the Montreal Convention. You can claim yourself, for free. Claim.ca takes no fee and no part of your claim.
Act fast: the deadlines are short
Report the problem to the airline in writing as soon as you notice it. For damaged baggage, written notice within 7 days of receiving the bag preserves the claim; for delayed baggage, within 21 days of the bag being delivered. A bag that has not arrived after 21 days may be treated as lost. Keep every tag, receipt and reference number.
What you may claim
Airlines may owe you the reasonable, documented costs the delay, loss or damage caused, such as essential clothing and toiletries, up to a liability cap set in special drawing rights: 1,519 SDR per passenger under the Montreal Convention as revised on December 28, 2024. Section 23 of the Air Passenger Protection Regulations applies the same cap to flights within Canada. For lost or damaged bags, the airline must also refund any checked baggage fees (section 23).
Keep receipts for everything
Compensation follows documentation. Keep receipts for what you had to buy, photos of damage, and the airline's own reports and reference numbers. Claim promptly and in writing.
Airline first, then the Agency
File with the airline first, in writing, and keep a copy. If the airline refuses or ignores you, complain to the Canadian Transportation Agency, whose process can require the airline to produce its records.
Was the flight itself delayed or cancelled too? Check your flight compensation.
This is general information about federal regulations, not legal advice about your situation. Claim.ca does not handle flight compensation claims and takes no fee from them.