How to claim compensation when Air Canada loses or delays your baggage

Joanna Teljeur

By:  Joanna Teljeur

Last Updated:  June 8, 2026

Reviewed by:  Michael Higgins

Every year, airlines across North America mishandle around 5.5 bags for every 1,000 passengers, according to SITA's Baggage IT Insights 2025. If your Air Canada bag arrived broken, never showed up at all, or spent days at the wrong airport, you are far from alone, and you are likely owed more than you think.

Under the Montreal Convention, Air Canada's maximum liability for baggage mishandling is €1,920 (CA$2,858) per passenger. Most people who experience a baggage problem never file a claim, and those who do often settle for far less than they are entitled to. Knowing your rights before you deal with Air Canada directly makes a real difference to what you walk away with.

Your Air Canada Baggage Claim TimelineEvery deadline you need to hit, from landing to payout

7 daysDamage deadline

21 daysDelay claim deadline

€1,920 (CA$2,858)Max per passenger

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Day 0 — At the airport

File your PIR before you leave

Go to the Air Canada Baggage Service Desk. Complete a Property Irregularity Report (PIR) and save the reference number. If your bag arrived damaged, photograph everything at the counter: the bag, the tags, and all visible damage.

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No PIR = no claim. Air Canada can refuse to process your case without one.

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Days 1–3 — Waiting period

Track, buy essentials, keep receipts

Track your bag on WorldTracer using your PIR number. Buy only what you genuinely need (clothing, toiletries, medication) and save every receipt. If your bag is still missing after 3 days, submit Air Canada's Baggage Tracing Form.

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Luxury purchases will not be reimbursed. Stick to essentials that you can justify.

7

Day 7 — Hard deadline

Damage must be reported by today

If your bag arrived damaged, you have exactly 7 days from the date you received it to file a damage report. After this, Air Canada is no longer required to accept a damage claim under the Montreal Convention.

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This deadline is non-negotiable. File online or call 1-888-689-BAGS before midnight.

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Day 21 — Critical threshold

Delayed claim deadline or bag declared lost

Two things happen at Day 21. First: if your bag was returned, your claim for delay expenses must be filed by today. Second: if your bag was never returned, the Montreal Convention now classifies it as officially lost, unlocking a full contents claim.

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After Day 21 — Resolution

File your lost baggage claim

Submit a full itemised claim via Air Canada's "Let Us Know" page. Include your PIR number, flight details, and a list of contents with approximate values. Air Canada will apply depreciation, so documenting original purchase prices strengthens your case.

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Air Canada response times range from weeks to months. If they reject or underpay, AirAdvisor can take over your claim at no upfront cost.

Source: Montreal Convention, Art. 17–22 · APPR (SOR/2019-150)Check your Air Canada baggage claim eligibility →

Key takeaways

1. Air Canada's maximum liability for lost, delayed, or damaged baggage is €1,920 (CA$2,858) per passenger
2. International flights are governed by the Montreal Convention. Domestic Canadian flights fall under the Air Passenger Protection Regulations (APPR), but Air Canada applies the same liability cap to both.
3. You must file a Property Irregularity Report (PIR) at the airport before you leave. Without it, your baggage claim will be significantly harder to pursue.
4. Deadlines are strict: 7 days to report damaged baggage, 21 days to file a claim for delayed or lost baggage from the date you received it.
5. Keep every receipt for essential purchases made while your bag is missing. These expenses can be claimed separately from the baggage compensation itself.
6. If Air Canada rejects or underpays your claim, AirAdvisor can pursue it on your behalf at no upfront cost.

Your rights as an Air Canada passenger

Your baggage rights when flying with Air Canada depend on whether your flight is international or domestic.

International flights: the Montreal Convention

For any Air Canada flight that crosses an international border, the Montreal Convention applies. This is the binding international treaty that sets the rules for airline liability on baggage, and it has the force of law in Canada, the UK, the EU, the US, and more than 130 other countries.

Under the Montreal Convention, Air Canada is liable for up to 1,519 Special Drawing Rights (SDR) per passenger for any destruction, loss, damage, or delay to checked baggage. That converts to approximately €1,920 (CA$2,858). This limit applies regardless of the actual value of your luggage, unless you made a special declaration of interest at check-in and paid the associated fee.

The Convention also requires Air Canada to reimburse reasonable essential expenses, including for clothing, toiletries, medication incurred while your baggage is delayed, within the same overall liability cap.

Domestic Canadian flights: the APPR

For flights entirely within Canada, the Air Passenger Protection Regulations (APPR), administered by the Canadian Transportation Agency, govern your rights.

In practice, Air Canada applies the same 1,519 SDR liability limit (CA$2,858) to domestic flights under its conditions of carriage, so the maximum compensation amount is the same as for international travel. What differs is the regulatory framework behind it: domestic passengers' rights flow from the APPR and Air Canada's published tariff rather than the Montreal Convention directly.

It is worth noting that proposed amendments to the APPR, published in the Canada Gazette in December 2024, would formally strengthen domestic baggage compensation requirements, including mandatory compensation and baggage fee refunds for lost or damaged bags. These amendments are not yet in force, and no confirmed implementation date has been announced. 

If you are filing a domestic claim, your rights today are based on the current APPR and Air Canada's tariff.

Domestic vs. international flights: Your baggage rights compared

What counts as baggage mishandling?

Air Canada is liable for three distinct types of baggage issues, each with its own process.

1. Delayed baggage is baggage that did not arrive on your flight but is subsequently located and returned to you. You can claim essential expenses incurred during the delay, as well as compensation if the delay caused you a financial loss.
2. Lost baggage is baggage that has not been returned to you within 21 days of your flight arriving. At that point, the Montreal Convention deems it officially lost, and you can claim for the replacement value of the contents, up to the liability cap.
3. Damaged baggage is any checked bag that arrived broken, torn, or with its contents damaged. This includes broken wheels, cracked frames, torn zippers, and crushed or shattered contents, provided the damage was not caused by improper packing or pre-existing wear.

What to do when your bag doesn't arrive

Act at the airport. The steps you take in the first hour matter more than anything else.

Step 1: wait, then go directly to the Air Canada Baggage Service Desk

Bags can take up to an hour to appear on the belt at busy airports. If 30 minutes have passed and your bag has not appeared, do not leave the baggage reclaim area. Find the Air Canada Baggage Service Desk, which is typically located within or adjacent to the baggage hall.

Step 2: complete a Property Irregularity Report (PIR)

This is the most important step. The PIR is the official record of your missing baggage, and without it, Air Canada can refuse to process your claim. The agent at the desk will help you complete it. You will receive a reference number, and remember to keep this safe.

You can also track your bag's status or add information at WorldTracer using your PIR reference number.

Step 3: if you have already left the airport

Contact Air Canada's Central Baggage Office as soon as possible:

• Within Canada and the US: 1-888-689-BAGS (toll-free)
• International passengers: find your country's number on Air Canada's delayed baggage page

Step 4: track your bag and keep receipts

Air Canada will attempt to locate and return your baggage, typically within 24 hours. While you are waiting, purchase only what you genuinely need (clothing, toiletries, medication) and keep every receipt. These expenses can be claimed as part of your delayed baggage compensation.

If three days have passed and your bag is still missing, submit an Air Canada Baggage Tracing Form.

How to file a delayed or lost baggage claim with Air Canada

When to file: You must submit your claim within 21 days of receiving your delayed baggage. If your bag is deemed lost (not returned within 21 days of your flight), you can file at any time after that point.

Documents you will need:

• PIR reference number
• Government-issued photo ID
• Flight number, ticket receipt, or boarding pass
• Receipts for essential purchases made during the delay
• For lost baggage: an itemised list of the contents and their approximate values

Submit your claim through Air Canada's Let Us Know page or by post to Air Canada's Central Baggage Office.

After submission, Air Canada will review your claim and contact you with a decision. This process can take anywhere from several weeks to several months.

What Strengthens vs Kills Your Baggage Claim6 factors that increase your payout and 6 mistakes that can wipe it out

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Strengthens your claim

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Filed PIR at the airport before leaving the baggage hall. This is your single most important document.

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Photographed everything immediately — damaged bag, bag tags, broken contents, boarding pass. Timestamped photos are hard to dispute.

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Kept every receipt for essential purchases (clothing, toiletries, medication). Itemised receipts prove reasonable expenses.

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Documented contents with purchase prices. Original receipts, bank statements, or product screenshots counter Air Canada's depreciation calculations.

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Filed within the legal deadline — 7 days for damage, 21 days for delayed baggage. On time = enforceable claim.

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Declined the voucher. Under the Montreal Convention you are entitled to cash compensation. Accepting a voucher can waive your right to more.

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Weakens or kills your claim

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Left the airport without filing a PIR. Air Canada can refuse to process your entire claim. Call the Central Baggage Office immediately if you missed this.

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No photos of the damage. Without visual evidence taken at or near the airport, Air Canada will attribute damage to pre-existing wear or improper packing.

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Bought luxury items during the delay. Designer clothing, electronics, or spa visits will not be reimbursed. Only essential purchases qualify.

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No proof of what was in the bag. Without documentation, Air Canada will assess contents at minimal value. "I had expensive items" is not evidence.

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Missed the 7-day or 21-day deadline. These are hard limits under the Montreal Convention. After the deadline, your legal right to claim expires.

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Accepted a voucher without negotiating. Airlines offer vouchers because they cost the airline less than cash. You do not have to accept one.

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The documentation gap is where most passengers lose moneyAir Canada applies depreciation to every item in a lost baggage claim. If you cannot prove what you paid originally, they will assign the lowest plausible value. Bank statements, order confirmations, and product photos taken before your trip all count as evidence.

Based on Montreal Convention, Art. 17–31 · AirAdvisor claim data

Not getting a response from Air Canada? AirAdvisor can take over your claim, no win, no feeStart your claim

What to do if your bag arrives damaged

If your checked baggage comes off the belt visibly damaged, take the following steps before you leave the airport.

Step 1: go to the Air Canada Baggage Service Counter

Do not leave the airport with a damaged bag without reporting it first. The counter is typically located in the baggage hall or just outside it.

Step 2: complete a Property Irregularity Report

As with delayed baggage, the PIR is your key document. Take photos of the damage at the counter, including the damaged bag, the bag tags still attached, and any broken or damaged contents.

Step 3: if you have already left the airport

You have 7 days from the date you received your baggage to report the damage. Contact Air Canada's Central Baggage Office at 1-888-689-BAGS, or submit the damaged baggage report online.

For your report, include photos of:

• Your boarding pass
• The bag tags attached to your luggage
• The bag itself (brand, model, and serial number if available)
• All visible damage to the bag and contents

Repair options

Air Canada will offer one of three repair routes:

• Return your bag to the airport and have Air Canada arrange repair at an authorised shop.
• Deliver the bag to an authorised repair shop yourself.
• Choose your own repair shop, but get a quote first and submit it to Air Canada for approval before authorising the repair.

What Air Canada will not cover

Damage claims will not be accepted for: normal wear and tear, small cuts and scratches, damage caused by improper packing, damage to fragile items not declared at check-in, broken zippers, or pre-existing damage.

What compensation can you actually receive?

The Montreal Convention sets a ceiling of €1,920 (CA$2,858) per passenger. What you receive within that ceiling depends on what you lost, what you can document, and how Air Canada assesses your claim.

• For delayed baggage, you can claim the reasonable cost of essential items purchased during the delay for things like, replacement clothing, toiletries, and medication. Luxury purchases are unlikely to be reimbursed.
• For lost baggage, you can claim the value of the bag and its contents, up to the liability cap. Air Canada will typically apply depreciation to calculate the current value of your belongings rather than replacement cost. Documenting the original purchase price of higher-value items helps your claim.
• For damaged baggage, you can claim the cost of repair, or the replacement value of the bag if it cannot be repaired, but again, up to the cap.

What if Air Canada rejects your claim?

Air Canada may reject or underpay your claim. Common reasons include: missing documentation, a disputed PIR, or an assessment that your items are not covered.

If Air Canada's response is unsatisfactory, you have two further options:

1. File a complaint with the Canadian Transportation Agency. The CTA can adjudicate disputes between passengers and airlines operating in Canada.
2. Use AirAdvisor. Our team of aviation specialists handles the full claim process on your behalf, including correspondence with Air Canada, documentation, escalation, and if necessary legal action.

You pay nothing unless we winStart your claim here

Frequently asked questions

Does the liability cap apply per bag or per passenger?

Per passenger, not per bag. The €1,920 (CA$2,858) limit covers the total value of all your checked baggage combined, regardless of how many bags you checked. If you checked three bags and all three were lost, the cap still applies to your claim as a whole.

Can I claim if my bag was lost on a codeshare flight operated by a different airline?

It depends on which airline issued your ticket. If Air Canada sold you the ticket, Air Canada is the contracting carrier and is responsible for your baggage even if a partner airline physically operated the flight. Start your claim with Air Canada. If you are unsure, check the two-letter code on your boarding pass.

Can I claim if I booked with Aeroplan miles rather than paying cash?

Yes. Your right to claim for lost, delayed, or damaged baggage under the Montreal Convention applies regardless of how you paid for your ticket. Award bookings are treated the same as paid tickets for baggage liability purposes.

What if Air Canada offers me a voucher instead of a cash refund?

You are not required to accept a voucher. Under the Montreal Convention, you are entitled to monetary compensation. If Air Canada offers a travel credit or voucher, you can decline it and request a cash payment instead. If they refuse, this is a valid basis for escalating your claim.

Can two passengers travelling together each make a separate claim?

Yes. The liability limit applies per passenger. If two people travelled together and both had bags delayed or damaged, each passenger can submit their own individual claim up to the per-passenger cap.

What if my bag was searched and damaged by airport security rather than Air Canada?

Security damage is handled differently. If TSA (in the US) or the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority damaged your bag during screening, the claim goes to that agency, not to Air Canada. TSA has its own claims process at tsa.gov. Air Canada is not liable for damage caused by security screening.

How long does Air Canada typically take to pay out a baggage claim?

Air Canada does not publish a fixed timeline, and responses can range from a few weeks to several months depending on the complexity of the claim. If you have not received a response within 30 days, follow up in writing and keep a record of all contact. Delayed responses are one of the most common reasons passengers turn to AirAdvisor to take over their claim.

Author:

Joanna Teljeur

Job/Position: Senior Editor & Content Lead

Joanna Teljeur is a senior editor and writer with 15+ years of experience in editorial leadership, journalism, and content development, specialising in consumer rights, aviation law, and public-interest reporting. Her work focuses on transforming complex regulatory and legal topics into clear, accurate, and accessible content for international audiences.

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