Brussels Airlines Lost Baggage: How to Get Compensated for Damaged & Delayed Bags

Last Updated: April 22, 2024

When your checked baggage is lost after a Brussels Airlines flight, it can feel like your entire trip will be ruined. Have you experienced this? Well, what if we told you there are steps you can take at the airport that can help you locate your lost baggage and, at the same time, help you win a baggage compensation claim?

You might not realise it, but you have rights as an air passenger that protect you in the case of lost and damaged baggage in the EU or outside, and in this article, we’ll explain what you must do to find your bags and to file a baggage compensation claim with the airline.

Key Points

The first and most important step is to report your lost baggage as soon as you notice there is a problem
You have rights for baggage mishandling covered by an international treaty called the Montreal Convention.
If you file your report and compensation claim within the proper time limits, you could claim up to €1,599 for Brussels Airlines damaged and lost baggage.

When Your Checked Baggage is Lost or Damaged

To find your baggage more quickly and to make sure you’re eligible for compensation from Brussels Airlines, it’s very important that you follow a few steps.

Immediately report your mishandled baggage, within 24 hours, to the Brussels Airlines Baggage Office.
If you are unable to make a baggage report at the airport, then you can also do this online.
Complete a form called a Property Irregularity Report in person or online.
Keep the PIR number handy.
Track your delayed/lost baggage using the PIR number.
Purchase any essential clothing or hygiene items you need, and save all receipts.

After you’ve completed the baggage reporting process, just wait for Brussels Airlines to contact you about delivery options. Most of the time, your baggage will be located in 24 hours.

Brussels Airlines lost baggage

For Damaged Baggage

If Brussels Airlines has damaged your checked luggage, then you must file your report at the Baggage Help Office at the airport. If you don’t make your report immediately before leaving the airport, you won’t be compensated for the damage.

After your report is filed, you can take your damaged baggage to a Dolfi shop or any shop of your choice to have it repaired. Remember to retain the baggage repair receipt and a description of the repairs so you can submit these to Brussels Airlines for compensation. You will also need to submit your bag tags and a copy of your ticket or boarding pass.

If the shop was unable to repair your bags, then get a written statement from them that explains the damage. You should also take photos of the damage to help support your claim. Submit both the document and the photos to the airline for compensation within 7 days from the time you collected your baggage.

What to Do Next

Sometimes it takes a little longer to locate lost baggage, so if you wait for 5 days and still haven’t had your baggage delivered, then you need to go back to the Brussels Airlines site and add more details to your baggage report. When you add information about contents, baggage colour, design, and brand, it helps the airline find your missing items more quickly.

File Your Baggage Claim

The next step is to send Brussels Airlines your compensation claim. Fortunately, they provided a dedicated page for this purpose. As you’ll see, they ask for a variety of information from your PIR number to your bank details so they can send you your compensation. The main thing, however, is to submit your baggage compensation claim before the deadline. You can see the deadlines for each scenario in the table below.

submit your baggage compensation claim before the deadline

Liability Limits for Lost, Damaged Baggage

The amount you could receive in a baggage compensation claim is determined by the rules of the Montreal Convention. This treaty protects your air passenger rights, and states that you are entitled to receive up to roughly €1,599 for lost, delayed, or damaged baggage.

So, there ya go. If you follow these steps and ensure you submit your report and claim before the deadlines, then you could be compensated for any trouble you’ve had with your checked baggage.

If your Brussels Airlines flight has been delayed, cancelled, or overbooked, did you know you could get up to €600 in compensation? Here at AirAdvisor, our airline compensation experts can take care of the entire claim process for you!