The Montreal Convention is the 1999 international treaty that sets when and how much an airline must pay for lost, damaged or delayed baggage and for losses caused by a flight delay: up to 1,519 SDR, about €1,800, for baggage. It is not the same as Regulation EC 261/2004, which gives fixed compensation of €250, €400 or €600 for delays, cancellations and overbooking. Here is what it covers and how the two work together.
What the Montreal Convention is and when it applies
The Montreal Convention governs airline liability on international journeys and is in force in most countries, including the European Union and the UK. It applies to flights between two countries that are party to it. In the EU, Regulation EC 2027/97 extends the same rules to domestic flights operated by European airlines, so a domestic flight within Spain or Italy is covered just like Dublin–Rome. It covers:
- baggage: destruction, loss, damage and delay;
- passenger delay: the actual losses it causes;
- death and injury of passengers on board or while boarding and leaving the aircraft.
Baggage: what is covered and the limits
For checked baggage the airline is liable for damage, loss and delay, unless the damage comes from a defect in the bag itself. If your bag has not arrived within 21 days of the date it was due, it is treated as lost. For hand luggage the airline is only liable if it was at fault.
| What | Limit per passenger | Deadline for a written claim |
|---|---|---|
| Damaged baggage | 1,519 SDR, about €1,800 | 7 days from delivery |
| Delayed baggage | 1,519 SDR, about €1,800 | 21 days from when you get it back |
| Lost baggage | 1,519 SDR, about €1,800 | As soon as possible once 21 days have passed |
| Losses caused by passenger delay | 6,303 SDR, over €7,000 | As soon as possible, with evidence |
SDR (Special Drawing Rights) are a unit of account of the International Monetary Fund, and their value in euro or sterling changes daily. The limits were raised on 28 December 2024. The limit is a ceiling, not an automatic payment: you get the loss you can prove. If you carry valuables, you can make a special declaration of value at check-in, usually for a fee, which raises the limit.
Flight delays: what Montreal covers
For passenger delay, the Convention pays for real, documented losses: a hotel night you could not use, a non-refundable tour, a taxi to make up lost time. The airline is not liable if it proves it took all reasonable measures to avoid the loss or that it was impossible to do so. So you need evidence of the loss and the amounts.
Montreal and Regulation 261/2004: the difference
| Montreal Convention | Regulation EC 261/2004 | |
|---|---|---|
| What it covers | Baggage and real losses caused by delay | Arrival delay of 3 hours or more, cancellation, denied boarding |
| Amount | The proven loss, up to the limits | Fixed: €250, €400 or €600 per passenger |
| Evidence | Receipts, invoices, list of items | Proof of the flight and the delay is enough |
| Where it applies | International flights between member countries; in the EU also domestic | Flights departing the EU, or arriving in the EU with a European airline |
The two are independent: for the same flight you can claim Regulation 261 compensation and, on top, baggage damages under Montreal. If you also claim other losses caused by the delay, compensation already paid can be deducted (Article 12 of the Regulation). For the practical side, see our guides to the PIR form and lost luggage.
How to enforce your rights
- Report the baggage problem at the airport straight away and get a PIR.
- Gather evidence: boarding pass, bag tag, photos, receipts.
- Send a written claim to the airline within 7 or 21 days.
- Check your 261 compensation if the flight arrived 3 hours or more late or was cancelled.
We take care of that last step. With DelayFlight24 you can check for free in 2 minutes whether you are owed €250, €400 or €600: you pay nothing upfront and our fee is 25% + VAT only if you get compensated. The rules are on our delayed flight page.
Frequently asked questions about the Montreal Convention
How much does the Montreal Convention pay for lost luggage?
The proven value of the bag and its contents, up to 1,519 Special Drawing Rights per passenger, about €1,800.
Does the Montreal Convention apply to domestic flights?
In the EU, yes, for flights operated by European airlines, under Regulation EC 2027/97.
What is the deadline for a baggage claim?
Within 7 days of delivery for damaged baggage and within 21 days of getting it back for delayed baggage.
Can I claim under both Montreal and Regulation 261?
Yes, they are separate: fixed 261 compensation for the flight and Montreal damages for your baggage.
What are SDR?
Special Drawing Rights, a unit of account of the International Monetary Fund whose value in euro changes every day.
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Find out more
- Air passenger rights
- Delayed flight: when you can claim compensation
- Cancelled flight: refund and compensation
- Overbooking: what you are owed
- What our service costs
Article updated on 22/10/2026 by the DelayFlight24 editorial team.