Which regulation applies?
Indian domestic — Aircraft Act 1934 and Carriage by Air Act 1972 (Schedule). International — Montreal Convention 1999.
Source: https://www.dgca.gov.in/digigov-portal/CARS
Source: https://www.dgca.gov.in/digigov-portal/CARS
Step-by-step: what to do now
- 1 Do NOT leave the airport without filing a Property Irregularity Report (PIR) at the baggage service desk. This is the single most important step — without a PIR, the airline can refuse the claim entirely.
- 2 Photograph all visible damage to your bag and any open seals on tape. Photograph the PIR document itself.
- 3 Submit a formal claim within the regulatory deadline: 7 days (international/Montreal) for damaged baggage, 21 days for lost baggage. Domestic: file within the timeframe stated on your PIR (typically 14-30 days).
- 4 Itemise the contents of your bag with approximate values. Receipts strengthen the claim but are not strictly required for compensation up to the per-kg cap.
- 5 Submit via the airline's online claim portal: IndiGo (https://www.goindigo.in/customer-service), Air India, SpiceJet, Akasa each have dedicated baggage claim portals.
- 6 If the airline rejects or undervalues your claim, escalate via DGCA AirSewa AND your travel insurance simultaneously (Acko Flight Protection covers up to ₹50,000 above and beyond the airline's payment).
Compensation / refund table
| Scenario | Amount / outcome | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Domestic lost baggage | ₹350/kg up to ~₹10,000 | Carrier liability under Aircraft Act 1934 |
| Domestic damaged baggage | Reasonable repair/replacement cost up to ₹350/kg | Receipts strengthen the calculation |
| International lost baggage | Up to 1,288 SDR (~₹1.35 lakh) per passenger | Montreal Convention 1999 cap |
| International damaged baggage | Up to 1,288 SDR per passenger; airline pays repair or depreciated value | Must declare special value at check-in for higher-value items |
| Travel-insurance top-up | + ₹50,000 (Acko Flight Protection) or per policy | Stacks on top of airline compensation |
Time limit: PIR at airport on arrival. Damage claim within 7 days (Montreal Convention). Lost-baggage claim within 21 days of when bag should have been delivered.
HappyFares JetSetVIP can help
Baggage-claim cycles take 30-90 days for the airline portion. HappyFares JetSet VIP Care (available on both domestic and international bookings) assigns a dedicated concierge who files the PIR follow-up, travel-insurance claim with Acko, and complaint escalation on your behalf — across the full Montreal Convention / DGCA framework.
Learn more →Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum compensation for lost baggage on an Indian domestic flight?
Approximately ₹10,000 per passenger, calculated at ₹350/kg. A 15 kg bag = ₹5,250. A 30 kg bag = ₹10,500, capped at the per-passenger maximum. Stack with travel-insurance baggage cover for higher recovery.
How much does international airline compensation cover for lost baggage?
Montreal Convention 1999 caps liability at 1,288 SDR per passenger — currently around ₹1.35 lakh (SDR fluctuates with the IMF basket of currencies). This is per passenger, not per bag, so multiple bags share the same cap.
What if my bag is delayed but not lost?
You can claim emergency-essentials compensation: toiletries, change of clothes, etc. Indian carriers typically reimburse ₹2,000-₹4,000 with receipts; international airlines under Montreal Convention can pay more. File the PIR and keep all receipts.
Do I need to declare valuable items at check-in?
For international flights, yes — declaring high-value items (jewellery, electronics, equipment) at check-in with a "Declared Value" form extends the liability cap. Otherwise the Montreal SDR cap applies regardless of actual value.
Can I claim from both the airline and my travel insurance?
Yes. The airline's liability is the regulatory minimum; travel insurance is the top-up. File both claims simultaneously with the same documentation. Insurance often pays faster (15-30 days) than the airline (30-90 days).
What about lost cabin baggage?
Cabin baggage is YOUR responsibility — the airline's liability is much lower (or zero) for cabin items unless the airline forced you to check it (gate-checked due to overhead bin full). In that case, gate-check baggage is treated as checked for compensation purposes.