British Airways damaged baggage: preserve proof before repair or disposal

The Montreal Convention generally limits baggage liability to 1,519 Special Drawing Rights per passenger, but payment depends on proven damage and value. The cap is not an automatic award.

Airport evidence

Inspect wheels, handles, frame, zip, shell and contents before leaving baggage reclaim. If the airport desk is closed, use BA's online reporting route immediately and save screenshots.

Damage, ordinary wear or missing contents

Airlines can resist claims for ordinary wear such as superficial scratches or minor scuffs that do not affect function. Structural cracks, broken wheels, torn fabric, failed handles and crushed contents present stronger damage evidence.

Missing contents or signs of tampering should be reported as well. List each item and preserve the bag without altering it. Theft may also require an airport police report or insurer notification depending on the facts.

For damage associated with a US security inspection, BA directs passengers to the US Transportation Security Administration. Preserve any inspection notice found inside the case before choosing the respondent.

The seven-day written complaint

Article 31 of the Montreal Convention requires complaint for checked-baggage damage within seven days from receipt. Written notice should identify the journey, bag, damage and requested remedy. An airport report is valuable, but send the monetary claim and evidence rather than assuming the report alone is enough.

Count conservatively and submit early. Keep the confirmation timestamp. If BA's portal fails, use another documented written channel and retain the error.

The period for delayed baggage is different: 21 days from the date the bag is placed at the passenger's disposal. Where a delayed bag arrives damaged, satisfy the shorter damage notice and include the prior tracing reference.

Repair, replacement or value

BA says it may offer a repair service or replacement bag and asks passengers to discuss the case before disposing of the damaged item or buying a replacement. Give the airline a reasonable opportunity to inspect.

A repair is suitable only if it restores safe, comparable function. Obtain a professional estimate where the case is repairable. If it is beyond economic repair, provide the original price, age, model and current comparable replacement.

Montreal damages are compensatory. Depreciation can be applied to an older bag. A five-year-old suitcase is not automatically valued as a new premium model, but arbitrary token payment can be challenged with evidence of condition and remaining useful life.

Contents and fragile items

Checked-baggage liability can cover damaged contents, subject to proof and Convention defences. BA's conditions warn against packing fragile, valuable, perishable items, jewellery, money and important documents in checked bags.

Photograph packing and protective materials when a valuable but suitable item is carried. The carrier can argue inherent defect or inadequate packing. Explain why the damage reflects handling rather than the item's nature.

Keep receipts and repair reports for contents. Do not claim the same item from BA and travel insurance without disclosure.

Liability ceiling and special declaration

The current Montreal baggage ceiling is 1,519 SDR per passenger for destruction, loss, damage or delay in most cases. SDR value changes daily. The limit covers the combined baggage event, not 1,519 SDR for the suitcase plus another cap for contents.

A higher limit can be available where the passenger made a special declaration of interest at check-in and paid any required supplementary sum. Keep that document. Declaring an item's value to an insurer is not the same as making the carrier declaration.

Intentional or reckless carrier conduct under the Convention can raise complex limitation questions, but ordinary visible damage should first be proved and valued without unsupported allegations.

Multi-carrier travel

For successive international carriage, the Convention can permit action against the first carrier, last carrier or carrier that performed the segment where damage occurred. The exact rule and through-ticket status matter.

Report at the final arrival airport and save all tags. A BA ticket can include Iberia, American Airlines or another operator. If one carrier redirects the passenger, request written confirmation rather than missing the seven-day period during a responsibility dispute.

BA CityFlyer and BA Euroflyer use the BA customer journey but are distinct operating entities. List every sector and operator in the claim.

Claim package

Prepare a cover note with passenger, booking, flight, bag tag, report reference and date received. Attach numbered photographs, purchase evidence, repair estimate and requested outcome. State whether the bag remains available for inspection.

Use BA's baggage claim portal. Save the full form and confirmation. If a replacement is offered, compare size, construction and functionality rather than brand prestige alone.

If BA rejects as wear and tear, ask it to identify the exclusion and inspection finding. If it says the claim is late, produce both airport and written timestamps. The BA baggage deadlines guide explains court timing, while the missing-bag guide covers delayed contents.

FAQ

Should I throw away a broken BA suitcase?

No. Keep it until BA has inspected or authorised disposal. The airline may offer repair or replacement and needs evidence of condition.

Is an airport damage report enough?

Do not rely on it alone. Send a written monetary claim with photographs and value evidence within seven days after receipt.

Does BA pay for scratches?

Minor cosmetic wear may be excluded. Structural or functional damage is stronger, so document how the bag can no longer be used safely.

What if my delayed bag arrives damaged?

Link the tracing report to a new damage complaint and meet the shorter seven-day damage period from receipt.

Is 1,519 SDR guaranteed for a damaged bag?

No. It is generally the maximum liability. BA assesses the proved repair cost, replacement value and depreciation within that ceiling.

Sources

• British Airways reporting damaged baggage
• British Airways making a baggage claim
• British Airways baggage information
• British Airways notice of liability
• Montreal Convention 1999
• ICAO 2024 revision of Montreal liability limits