18% of mishandled bags are returned damaged or pilfered — roughly 6 million bags per year coming back with broken wheels, torn fabric, cracked shells, or missing contents. [1] Deadlines for damage claims are shorter than for delayed or lost bags — as tight as 6 hours at some airlines — and missing them can eliminate your right to compensation entirely.
Airlines define “normal wear and tear” generously when it’s in their favor. A cracked wheel is not normal wear and tear.
Reporting Deadlines
Damage reporting deadlines are strict and shorter than you’d expect. Missing them can bar your claim entirely.
Domestic Flights
| Airline | Damage Reporting Deadline |
|---|---|
| Delta | Within 6 hours of arrival (for tickets issued on or after October 8, 2025) [5] |
| American Airlines | Within 24 hours of arrival [6] |
| United | Within 24 hours of arrival [7] |
Delta’s 6-hour window is the tightest among the Big Three carriers and was reduced from 24 hours in October 2025. [5] If you’re flying Delta, inspect your bag before you leave the airport.
International Flights
The Montreal Convention requires a written complaint within 7 days of receiving your bag for damage claims. [3] Verbal reports at the airport aren’t sufficient under Article 31(3) — the complaint must be in writing. [3]
Missing the 7-day deadline bars your claim entirely, except in cases of carrier fraud. [3]
Filing Your Damage Claim
Report damage before you leave the terminal — once you walk out, the airline can claim it happened after pickup.
Document the damage first
Before approaching the desk, use your phone:
- Wide shot of the full bag with the baggage tag visible
- Close-ups of each damaged area
- Interior shots if contents are damaged or missing
- The carousel area to establish the condition at arrival
If contents are missing, write down what’s gone while your memory is fresh. Include brand names and approximate values.
Report at the Baggage Service Desk
Show the agent the damage and present your bag for a visual inspection. The agent will create a damage report and may photograph the bag themselves.
You’ll receive a file reference number. Save it — you need this for every future interaction about the claim. Don’t leave without it.
File a written claim
For domestic flights, follow the airline’s claim process (online portal, mail, or in-app). For international flights, you must submit a written complaint within 7 days of receiving the damaged bag. [3]
Include in your written claim:
- Your file reference number from the airport report
- Flight details (number, date, origin, destination, connections)
- Description and photos of the damage
- Itemized list of damaged or missing contents with estimated values
- Receipts or proof of purchase for damaged items
- Your baggage claim tag number
Get a repair or replacement assessment
The airline may offer repair, replacement, or cash settlement. If they offer a replacement bag, it may be a comparable model, not the exact brand you had. The airline considers the depreciated value of your bag, not the original purchase price. [4]
If your bag is repairable, the airline may send you to an approved repair shop or reimburse the cost. Get a written repair estimate before authorizing any work.
What Qualifies as Damage
Airlines are liable for damage that occurs while your bag is in their custody — from check-in to carousel pickup. Covered damage includes broken wheels, handles, zippers, or latches; torn fabric; cracked hard-shell cases; punctures; pilfered contents; and water or chemical damage from handling.
Airlines typically won’t cover normal wear and tear (scuffs, minor scratches), preexisting damage, overpacked bags, damage from your own contents (leaking liquids, unprotected fragile items), or items on their specific exclusion list (electronics, jewelry, fragile items — check your airline’s Contract of Carriage).
TSA Damage vs. Airline Damage
If TSA inspected your checked bag and caused damage during screening, the claim goes to TSA, not the airline. These are completely separate processes.
How to tell: Look for a “Notice of Baggage Inspection” card inside the bag. TSA also reseals bags with identifiable tape after inspection.
Filing a TSA Claim
TSA damage claims are handled by the TSA Claims Management Branch under the Federal Tort Claims Act: [8]
- Online: File at tsa.gov/travel/passenger-support/claims
- By mail: TSA Claims Management Branch, 6595 Springfield Center Drive, Springfield, VA 20598-6160
- Deadline: Within 2 years of the incident
- Required documentation: SF-95 form, photos, receipts, repair estimates
Expect 6 months or more for processing. If TSA denies your claim, you have 6 months to file a lawsuit.
Compensation Limits for Damaged Bags
The same liability limits that apply to lost bags apply to damaged bags:
- Domestic flights: Up to $4,700 per passenger under 14 CFR Part 254 [2]
- International flights: Up to approximately $2,025 (1,519 SDR) under the Montreal Convention [3]
Airlines apply depreciation. A 5-year-old suitcase that cost $300 new won’t be reimbursed at $300. The airline will calculate its current depreciated value and offer that amount — or offer a replacement of comparable current value.
For damaged contents, you’ll need to provide receipts or proof of purchase. Without documentation, the airline will estimate a depreciated value, which is almost always lower than what you’d claim.
Tips for a Stronger Claim
- Photograph the carousel area. A photo of your bag on or near the belt with visible damage shows the condition at arrival.
- Don’t repair the bag yourself. Wait for the airline’s assessment. Unauthorized repairs may void the claim.
- Get the agent’s name and a written report. Verbal agreements aren’t enforceable.
- Know what’s excluded. Review your airline’s Contract of Carriage to understand what they won’t cover. Filing a claim for excluded items weakens your overall case.
- Follow up in writing. If you don’t hear back within 30 days, send a written follow-up referencing your file number and the date you reported.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How long do I have to report damaged luggage to the airline?
- Deadlines vary: Delta requires reporting within 6 hours of arrival, while American Airlines and United allow 24 hours on domestic flights. For international flights, the Montreal Convention requires a written complaint within 7 days.
- What counts as airline-covered luggage damage?
- Covered damage includes broken wheels, handles, zippers, or latches; torn fabric; cracked hard-shell cases; punctures; and missing contents. Normal wear and tear, preexisting damage, and items on the airline's exclusion list are not covered.
- How much compensation can I get for a damaged bag?
- Up to $4,700 per passenger on domestic flights under 14 CFR Part 254, or approximately $2,025 (1,519 SDR) on international flights under the Montreal Convention. Airlines apply depreciation based on the bag's age and condition.
- Should I file a claim with the airline or TSA for damaged luggage?
- If TSA inspected your bag (look for a Notice of Baggage Inspection card inside), file with TSA at tsa.gov. If you are unsure who caused the damage, file claims with both the airline and TSA.
- What should I do before leaving the airport with a damaged bag?
- Report the damage at the Baggage Service Desk, photograph the damage from multiple angles including inside the bag, keep the damaged bag intact for inspection, and save your baggage claim tag as proof of custody.
Sources
SITA Baggage IT Insights 2025 (covering 2024 data) -- mishandling breakdown by type
sita.aero/resources/surveys-reports/sita-baggage-it-insights-202514 CFR Part 254 -- Domestic Baggage Liability (effective January 22, 2025)
law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/14/part-254Montreal Convention (MC99) -- Baggage Liability Provisions, Articles 17, 22, 31
legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2002/263/schedule/1/madeDOT Fly Rights -- Consumer Guide to Air Travel
transportation.gov/airconsumer/fly-rightsDelta Air Lines -- Contract of Carriage, Baggage Damage Reporting
delta.com/us/en/legal/contract-of-carriage-dgrAmerican Airlines -- Contract of Carriage, Baggage Policy
aa.com/i18n/customer-service/support/conditions-of-carriage.jspUnited Airlines -- Contract of Carriage, Baggage Policy
united.com/ual/en/us/fly/contract-of-carriage.htmlTSA Claims Management Branch -- Filing a claim for screened baggage damage
tsa.gov/travel/passenger-support/claims