You disembark from your flight, get to the baggage carousel, and find your luggage damaged or not there. Now, you either need to address the damage immediately with the airline or continue your travels without your things. Neither is ideal.
The only good news in this situation is that Air Canada is responsible for making things right. That means repairing or replacing the bag, covering interim essential expenses, or reimbursing for the luggage contents. At BagHelp, we've been in the business of baggage compensation for years. We've seen it all and can make sure your eligible claim gets the maximum payout of CA$2,950.
The details of Air Canada baggage compensation are dictated in the Montreal Convention, which covers international flights. Let's dive into all the details!
Key Takeaways
Click each item to mark as read
- 1✓
Air Canada applies the Montreal Convention to domestic routes too - unusual and good for passengers.
Most airlines only apply the Montreal Convention internationally. Air Canada extending this to domestic flights means up to CA$2,950 / US$2,160 liability even within Canada.
- 2✓
Delayed bag? Claim your checked baggage fee back too - Air Canada refunds it when at fault.
Keep your booking confirmation showing the exact fee paid. Include the refund request alongside your essentials claim when submitting through Air Canada's baggage portal.
- 3✓
Essential purchases during a delay are reimbursable - file within 21 days of bag return.
'Essential' means toiletries, basic clothing, and underwear. Air Canada won't cover luxury items or things you'd have bought regardless. Keep all receipts, even small ones.
- 4✓
Report damage within 7 days - at the airport is best so staff can verify it directly.
Even if you notice damage at home after unpacking, you still have 7 days from the date you received the bag. File a written complaint to Air Canada's baggage claims team promptly.
- 5✓
The 1,519 SDR cap is per incident - delay and lost bag claims together cannot exceed it.
At current rates: CA$2,950 / US$2,160 / GBP 1,600. Keep delay spending proportionate - those expenses reduce the maximum available for a lost bag payout if the bag never returns.
What compensation can you claim from Air Canada?
There are 3 scenarios where passengers can claim Air Canada baggage compensation:
- Delayed bags - The cost of purchasing basic essentials during the delay is covered.
- Lost bags - Air Canada covers the replacement of the suitcase plus the contents.
- Damaged bags - Air Canada will pay to repair or replace the luggage.
Air Canada's maximum liability
Since Canada is a member country of the Montreal Convention, most international Air Canada flights apply. That includes ones between Canada and the US and the UK/EU. For simplicity, Air Canada also applies the same maximum for domestic flights.
Maximum liability per baggage incident = 1,519 SDR (Special Drawing Rights). At current exchange rates, that translates to:
- CA$2,950
- US$2,160
- GBP 1,600
- EUR 1,860
Since this is the total per incident per passenger, when bags are delayed and then eventually declared lost, you won't get more than 1,519 SDR combined.
Tip
Check your travel insurance before you submit the airline claim. Some policies require you to recover what you can there first, then claim any remaining eligible amount from Air Canada.
How to track your bag using the Air Canada lost baggage tracker
As soon as your baggage doesn't arrive with you, you need to file a Property Irregularity Report (PIR). This is what documents your luggage issue and is used as your Air Canada lost baggage tracker. Do this online. There's also a QR code with a link at the baggage services counter.
After reporting your baggage issue, you'll receive a file reference number (PIR).
In the Air Canada lost baggage tracking system, you can:
- Check for bag updates
- Update your information, like your delivery address
- See when it's found
- Track delivery status
Air Canada also provides updates via email or mobile notifications.
Use the tracker for updates, then build the reimbursement file separately
The tracker helps you follow the bag, confirm routing, and update your delivery details. It does not replace the reimbursement claim you still need to file once the bag is returned.
Air Canada delayed baggage compensation
During a delay, Air Canada agrees to reimburse you for reasonable and appropriate expenses to help you continue your journey without your bag. They are:
- Basic clothing
- Toiletries
- Travel-specific expenses like adapters or sports equipment rentals.
You can also claim for a refund of the baggage fee you paid.
Air Canada delayed baggage compensation deadline
You have 21 days (3 weeks) from the time you receive the delayed bag to submit your reimbursement claim.
Documents required
- PIR reference number
- Boarding pass
- Baggage tag
- Receipts for purchases
How to claim compensation from Air Canada for delayed baggage
Your PIR is not the same as the form for an Air Canada delayed baggage compensation claim. The PIR is for tracking only.
You can file a claim online:
- Click on the Submit Feedback link on the Help and Contact page.
- Select Baggage Issues from the menu.
- Select Baggage from the Regarding drop-down menu, then Submit Expenses.
- Enter each passenger's information in the form.
- Choose the applicable record from the bottom of the page.
- Add your receipts for all purchases.
- Submit the claim for processing.
Air Canada lost baggage compensation
According to the Montreal Convention, for most international flights, a bag is deemed lost when it hasn't been found after 21 days.
What lost baggage compensation can you claim?
Aside from the reimbursement for interim essential delay items, you can claim for:
- The cost of the suitcase
- All its contents
- Refund of the checked bag fees
Documents required
- PIR reference number
- Detailed inventory of contents
- Estimated values
- Receipts or proof of ownership (if available)
The more proof you can provide for the items and their costs, the stronger your claim will be. Plus, the real costs of items are often higher than estimates used for reimbursement purposes.
How to claim Air Canada lost baggage compensation
With Air Canada, to help track your bag, you need to fill out a separate form when a delayed bag hasn't been returned after 3 days. You'll be asked to list all the items in your baggage with as much detail as possible. This will also become the basis for your Air Canada lost luggage claim once the 21 days are up.
Air Canada damaged baggage compensation
If your luggage arrives broken, torn, or with items missing, you may be eligible for Air Canada damaged baggage compensation. The key is to report the damage quickly, i.e., at the airport.
What counts as damaged baggage?
Normal wear and tear and small cosmetic issues like scratches are typically excluded from coverage. On the other hand, file a claim if:
- The suitcase shell is cracked or broken
- Wheels or zippers are damaged
- The bag is torn or no longer usable
- Items inside the bag are damaged or missing
Deadline for reporting Air Canada damaged bags
If you can't report damage and file a claim right away at the airport at the baggage services counter, you have 7 days. That's one week from receiving your bag. You must return with the damaged bag to the airport within this timeframe.
What you need to file a claim
- Damage report file reference number (emailed after reporting at the airport)
- Photos of the damage (taken as soon as possible)
- Boarding pass and baggage tag
- Proof of value or purchase (for higher-value luggage or items)
- Repair estimate or invoice
Tip
Take a quick photo of your suitcase before check-in and another one as soon as you spot the damage. That side-by-side proof makes it much easier to show the damage happened during the journey.
What type of compensation can you get?
Depending on the type and extent of the damage, you will be offered one of the following on approved claims:
- Repair
- Replacement
- Financial compensation
How to file a damaged baggage claim with Air Canada
Reporting damage immediately at the airport strengthens your case. Air Canada staff can verify the damage directly, which significantly increases your approval chances.
After you report the damage, follow these steps:
- Air Canada will send an email with your reference number.
- Follow the link to file a claim provided in the email.
- Add a damage description that is detailed and specific.
- Attach photos of the damage from multiple angles.
- Include a copy of the receipt for the bag if you have it.
Avoid these mistakes
- Leaving the airport without filing a PIR
- Missing deadlines
- Not keeping receipts
- Submitting incomplete inventory lists
- Claiming non-essential purchases
- Failing to check airline emails or updates about your case
- Ignoring requests for additional information from Air Canada
- Not taking immediate photos of damaged luggage
Any of these can result in outright rejection or reduced compensation.
Understanding Air Canada baggage compensation claims
Acting quickly, staying organised, and keeping clear records will give you the best chance of Air Canada baggage claim success. A little preparation goes a long way when something goes wrong with your luggage.
What to do if you're not happy with Air Canada's response
If you've been unfairly denied or are getting the run-around, our experts can help. We successfully resolve delayed, lost, and damaged luggage claims every day. Start your quick and hassle-free BagHelp claim now!
FAQs
According to SITA, 66% of baggage mishandling cases are resolved in 48 hours. The real range is usually between 24 and 72 hours. After 3 days with Air Canada, you need to add more baggage details to help with the tracking efforts.
The Montreal Convention does not stipulate the flight path for international flights. Neither do the Air Canada conditions of carriage for domestic flights. So, you should expect the same coverage for essential purchases, though what's "reasonable" may be a little different.