Lost or Delayed Baggage in India: How to Make a Claim from Indian Airlines (2026)
By Ishaani Reddy (Ishaani Reddy writes about the consumer-protection side of travel — DGCA passenger rights, OTA refund policies, hidden fees, dynamic-currency-conversion traps and the seven kinds of booking mistakes that quietly drain Indian travel budgets.) · Published · 14 min read
If an Indian airline loses or delays your checked baggage, your first step is to file a Property Irregularity Report (PIR) at the airline's baggage desk before leaving the airport. For domestic flights, DGCA rules apply; for international flights, the Montreal Convention limits compensation to approximately SDR 1,288 per passenger (around ₹1.4 lakh at mid-2026 rates).
TL;DR — immediate steps when your bag does not arrive
The moment you realise your bag is missing at the carousel: (1) go directly to the airline's baggage desk, do not leave the terminal, (2) file a Property Irregularity Report (PIR) before exiting the airport, (3) take a reference number and a copy of the PIR. Without a PIR filed at the airport, most airlines will reject any compensation claim. For domestic flights, DGCA guidelines govern liability. For international flights, the Montreal Convention applies and caps compensation at around SDR 1,288 per passenger (roughly ₹1.4 lakh at mid-2026 rates) for lost bags.
What is a PIR and why is it non-negotiable?
A Property Irregularity Report (PIR) is the airline's official record that your baggage was not delivered as expected. It is not merely a complaint — it is the legal document that opens your compensation file. The PIR captures:
- Your baggage tag number (the sticker affixed at check-in)
- Description of the bag (colour, make, approximate size)
- Contents description (at a high level)
- Your contact details and destination address
Filing deadline: for international flights under the Montreal Convention, you must report delayed baggage within 21 days and suspected lost baggage within 21 days of the date it should have been delivered. Filing later may bar your claim entirely. For domestic flights, file the PIR before leaving the baggage hall — no exceptions.
Photograph your bag and its contents before every trip. This simple habit makes compensation claims vastly easier because you have time-stamped evidence of what the bag looked like and what was inside.
Delayed baggage vs lost baggage — the difference matters
Airlines treat these differently, and so do the compensation rules:
| Status | Definition | What the airline owes you |
|---|---|---|
| Delayed baggage | Bag is located but not yet delivered | Interim expenses (reasonable — toiletries, clothing) reimbursed; bag delivered to your address |
| Damaged baggage | Bag delivered but physically damaged | Repair cost or replacement value (up to the Montreal Convention cap) |
| Lost baggage | Not located after 21 days (international) or declared lost by airline | Compensation up to SDR 1,288 (international) or value declared (domestic) |
For delayed international bags, keep receipts for every essential purchase you make while waiting — most airlines will reimburse reasonable interim expenses (basic clothing, toiletries) even before the bag is declared lost. Amounts vary: typically USD 50–100 per day for a few days is considered reasonable, but this is not a fixed rule.
How much compensation can I claim for lost baggage on Indian airlines?
Domestic flights: DGCA does not specify a fixed rupee amount for lost baggage compensation on domestic routes. Airlines typically apply their published General Conditions of Carriage, which often cap liability at ₹350–₹450 per kilogram of checked baggage for domestic flights. Given a typical 15 kg check-in allowance, this means a maximum of roughly ₹5,250–₹6,750 — well below the value of most suitcases. To protect high-value items, declare excess value at check-in (most airlines charge a small fee for this) or buy travel insurance.
International flights: India is a signatory to the Montreal Convention 1999. The limit is 1,288 Special Drawing Rights (SDR) per passenger. At mid-2026 IMF rates, 1 SDR ≈ ₹109–₹111, making the maximum around ₹1.40–₹1.43 lakh. This is a combined cap covering baggage loss/damage AND delayed-baggage interim expenses — not separate pools.
The Montreal Convention cap applies per passenger, not per bag. If you have two bags and both are lost, you still have only one cap. The cap also applies even if the airline was negligent — it is an absolute limit unless the passenger can prove the airline acted with deliberate intent or recklessness (a very high legal bar).
Travel insurance with baggage cover typically provides a separate, additive layer of protection. A good policy for India-origin international travel covers ₹50,000–₹2 lakh for baggage loss, with per-article sub-limits. Read the sub-limit fine print before relying on it for an expensive camera or laptop.
What interim expenses can I claim while waiting for delayed baggage?
If your bag is delayed (not yet lost) and you are at your destination without your belongings, most airlines will authorise interim expense reimbursement for essential items. How to handle this:
- Contact the airline's baggage tracing number (usually on the PIR) and ask what interim expense limit they authorise per day. Get this in writing by email.
- Buy only essentials — a set of clothes, basic toiletries, any medication you had in the bag. Receipts are mandatory.
- Do not buy luxury items expecting reimbursement — airlines scrutinise these claims and will only honour reasonable purchases.
- Keep all original receipts. Photographing them is a good backup but original printouts are preferred for claim submission.
Once your bag arrives, the interim expense claim is separate from any baggage damage claim. Submit them together to avoid delays.
What items are never covered by airline baggage compensation?
Both DGCA guidelines and the Montreal Convention exclude or limit compensation for certain categories. Knowing these in advance is critical for packing decisions:
- Cash and negotiable instruments: Airlines explicitly exclude currency, credit cards and bank drafts from checked-baggage liability. Never check cash.
- Electronics and cameras: Most airlines cap liability for electronics at a sub-limit far below the Montreal Convention maximum — often USD 200–400 per item in their General Conditions of Carriage. A ₹80,000 camera in a checked bag is a significant risk. Carry electronics as cabin baggage.
- Jewellery and precious items: Excluded from baggage liability across virtually all airlines. A declared-value upgrade at check-in may help, but the process is cumbersome and the maximum declared value is usually limited.
- Medicines and perishables: Airlines disclaim liability for temperature-sensitive items and perishables. Carry medicines in your cabin bag.
- Fragile items: If you pack a fragile item without appropriate padding and it breaks, airlines will reject the claim citing improper packing. Fragile stickers on luggage are advisory — they do not create legal liability for the airline.
The safest approach: carry anything you cannot afford to lose or cannot replace quickly. The checked bag is for clothes and non-valuables. If you are travelling for a wedding or conference and need formal wear that cannot fit in a cabin bag, declare the excess value at check-in and buy a supplementary baggage insurance rider.
How to file a formal baggage compensation claim
After you have the PIR reference, the formal claim process:
- Airline's baggage portal or customer care email (within 7–21 days): Most airlines have a dedicated baggage claims email or online form. Attach the PIR copy, your boarding pass, baggage tag stub, purchase receipts for interim expenses, and a valuation of the lost items.
- Valuation evidence: Provide original purchase receipts, bank statements showing the purchase, or — if old — a depreciated value based on the item's age. Airlines apply depreciation; a 2-year-old laptop is not compensated at its original purchase price.
- DGCA AirSewa (airsewa.gov.in): If the airline does not respond within 30 days or makes an unreasonably low offer, escalate here.
- Consumer Forum: For larger amounts, the District Consumer Forum is an option. Claims under ₹50 lakh go to the district level.
Also read our guide on flight cancellation refunds and flight delay compensation to understand the full set of DGCA passenger rights you hold.
How to prevent baggage loss and reduce the impact if it happens
Proactive steps before your trip can dramatically reduce the consequences of a lost or delayed bag:
- Use a distinctive bag or tag: Bright-coloured luggage or a unique tag makes your bag easier to identify on the carousel and harder for another passenger to accidentally take. Black hard-shell bags are the most commonly confused.
- Attach a luggage tracker: Apple AirTag, Samsung SmartTag or a Tile tracker inside the bag lets you tell the airline exactly where your bag is — often before their own systems catch up. This has helped passengers locate misdirected bags in hours rather than days. An AirTag costs around ₹3,000 and pays for itself the first time a bag goes missing.
- Keep a digital photo record of bag contents before every trip: A 2-minute photo walk-through of your packed bag is your best valuation evidence. Store the photos in cloud storage so they are time-stamped and accessible from anywhere.
- Avoid tight connections: Baggage mishandling rates spike on itineraries with short connection times, especially at congested hubs like Mumbai's CSMIA or Delhi's IGIA. If your connection is under 90 minutes at a large Indian airport, your bag has a meaningfully higher chance of missing the flight. Aim for 2-hour connections on domestic-to-international transitions.
- Carry essentials in your cabin bag: One change of clothes, all medications, chargers and any item you need for the first 48 hours of your trip. If your checked bag is delayed, this buffer makes the wait manageable.
Bottom line
Lost or delayed baggage is stressful but manageable if you act immediately: file the PIR at the airport, photograph every receipt, and keep your valuation documentation ready. For domestic flights, the compensation cap is modest (roughly ₹350–₹450/kg under most airline policies). For international flights, the Montreal Convention caps claims at around ₹1.4 lakh per passenger. Travel insurance with solid baggage cover is the most practical way to bridge the gap between airline liability and the actual value of your belongings.
Fees and features change — verify on the official site before you rely on them.
Frequently asked questions
What do I do if my bag does not arrive at the airport?
Go directly to the airline's baggage services desk before leaving the baggage hall. File a Property Irregularity Report (PIR), collect a copy with a reference number. Do not leave the airport before doing this — it is the foundation of any later compensation claim.
How long does an airline have to find a lost bag before it is declared lost?
Under the Montreal Convention, baggage is officially considered lost if it has not been located within 21 days of the date it was due to be delivered. Some airlines declare it lost earlier as a courtesy. Once declared lost, the full compensation process begins.
What is the maximum baggage compensation on international flights from India?
The Montreal Convention caps liability at 1,288 SDR per passenger — approximately ₹1.40–₹1.43 lakh at mid-2026 exchange rates. This is a combined cap covering loss, damage and interim expenses.
Can I claim for the full value of my laptop or camera in a lost bag?
Up to the Montreal Convention cap on international flights, yes — but airlines apply depreciation. A 3-year-old laptop will be valued at its depreciated worth, not its original retail price. For high-value items, declare excess value at check-in or carry the item as cabin baggage.
Does travel insurance cover the gap above airline baggage compensation limits?
Yes, that is one of the core purposes of travel insurance baggage cover. A good policy adds ₹50,000–₹2 lakh in baggage loss cover on top of what the airline pays. Check the per-article and per-category sub-limits carefully before departing.
Can a luggage tracker like an AirTag help me recover a delayed bag faster?
Yes, significantly. A tracker lets you tell the airline's baggage desk exactly which airport or facility your bag is at — often before their own WorldTracer system has updated. This speeds up retrieval and strengthens your case for interim expense reimbursement if the bag genuinely was misrouted. An AirTag or Tile costs ₹2,500–₹3,500 and is well worth it for frequent travellers.