Brussels Airlines damaged baggage: PIR, proof and deadlines
Short answer: inspect checked baggage before leaving the arrival area and report damage immediately at the Brussels Airlines desk or airport Lost & Found point. Obtain a reference, retain the bag and send the Brussels Airlines damaged-baggage form with ticket, tag, photographs and repair evidence within seven days of receipt at the latest. Montreal liability is capped at 1,519 SDR per passenger for current events unless a higher special declaration applies.
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Enter your route, date and type of disruption. We will check whether your case qualifies for a claim under EU 261/2004 or UK261.
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Choose the situation that applies to your flight:
Do not dispose of the suitcase before Brussels Airlines, its repair partner or an independent workshop has had a reasonable chance to inspect it. A photograph alone may not establish whether repair is possible.
Airport report
Check wheels, handles, shell, zips, frame and contents as soon as the bag arrives. Photograph the damage on the belt or in the reclaim area with the bag tag visible. Then report at the Brussels Airlines desk or Lost & Found office.
Record:
- PIR or damage reference;
- date, airport and flight;
- bag-tag number;
- make, model and approximate age;
- exact damaged parts;
- any missing contents;
- name of handler or repair partner.
Brussels Airlines says many European airports provide details for Dolfi, its repair partner. Keep the leaflet and all messages. An airport report is strong evidence that damage existed on delivery.
Seven-day written deadline
If the damage was not completed through airport handling, Brussels Airlines directs passengers to its damaged-baggage form within seven days. Montreal also requires written complaint no later than seven days after receipt of checked baggage.
Do not count only business days. Send promptly and retain the automatic timestamp. Attach copies of ticket or boarding pass, baggage tags, photographs and repair-cost evidence. If the bag cannot be repaired, obtain workshop confirmation stating condition, value or model, purchase date and available purchase evidence.
Accepting baggage without recorded reservation creates a presumption that it was delivered in good condition, although contrary proof can be possible. Delay makes that proof harder.
Repair, replacement and depreciation
The objective is to compensate actual damage, not automatically purchase a new premium suitcase. A repairable wheel or handle should normally be repaired. If repair is uneconomic or impossible, value the bag according to age, condition, quality and expected useful life.
| Evidence | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Original invoice or bank statement | Purchase price and date |
| Model listing or comparable product | Replacement context |
| Pre-trip photograph | Prior condition |
| Repair quote | Feasible repair cost |
| Non-repair certificate | Supports replacement valuation |
| Damage photographs | Scope and mechanism |
Do not alter or discard the damaged item before the process is resolved unless safety requires it. If disposal is unavoidable, photograph thoroughly and retain written advice.
Normal wear versus damage
Carriers can reject superficial wear such as minor scuffs, dirt, scratches or damage caused by an inherent defect. A broken structural shell, torn fabric, missing wheel or unusable handle is more substantial, but causation still needs evidence.
If Brussels Airlines says the bag was overpacked or defective, ask for inspection findings. Preserve weight records and photographs of packing condition where available. A damaged lock removed by security can involve the authority rather than carrier handling; obtain the inspection notice.
Missing contents
Brussels Airlines asks for a written claim within seven days for items missing from checked baggage, with an item list, purchase year, value evidence, ticket and tags. Report suspected theft to airport police where appropriate and retain the report.
Montreal liability for valuable or fragile contents can be limited, especially where unsuitable items were checked. Cash, jewellery, passports, medication and electronics should ordinarily remain in cabin baggage. For unchecked baggage, carrier liability generally requires proof of airline fault.
Liability ceiling and proof
The current Montreal baggage ceiling is 1,519 SDR per passenger for events after the revised limit took effect on 28 December 2024. It combines covered baggage damage rather than guaranteeing that amount per item or bag.
The Brussels Airlines liability summary contains an older 1,131 SDR figure in its general text. Use the ICAO revision for the applicable event date and cite the current limit carefully. Conversion to euros changes with the IMF SDR rate, so state SDR first and convert transparently near settlement.
A special declaration of interest made at check-in with any required fee can establish a higher ceiling. Preserve the declaration document.
Codeshare baggage
Montreal permits claims involving contracting and actual carriers in defined circumstances. If Brussels Airlines sold the ticket but a partner performed the sector, keep the complete ticket and ask the arrival carrier to create the report. Do not apply only the EU261 operating-carrier rule.
For through-checked bags, identify the last carrier, transfer airports and retagging after disruption. A partner's repair desk can create the PIR while Brussels Airlines or another carrier handles damages.
Separate flight-disruption rights
Damaged baggage does not produce EUR 250-600 under EU261. If the same flight was delayed, cancelled or overbooked, assess that event independently. A delayed flight's meals and hotel are Article 9 care, not baggage damages.
Use different headings and claim numbers where possible. This avoids applying the seven-day baggage deadline to flight compensation or the one-year Brussels Airlines EU261 clause to Montreal damage.
Escalation and court period
If the carrier or repair partner rejects the claim, request its inspection and valuation. Provide missing repair or purchase evidence quickly. Brussels Airlines tells private travellers about Belgian Consumer Mediation after prior complaint, subject to admissibility.
Montreal court action generally must be brought within two years from actual or scheduled arrival, or when carriage stopped. The period is an extinction rule, so informal negotiation should not run it out.
FAQ
How quickly must I report Brussels Airlines baggage damage?
Report immediately at the airport and send the written claim no later than seven days after receiving the bag.
Can I throw away a broken suitcase after taking photographs?
Avoid doing so before inspection or written agreement. The carrier may need to assess whether repair is possible.
Does every scratch qualify for compensation?
No. Normal wear and superficial marks can be excluded; prove functional or structural damage and causation.
Is 1,519 SDR paid automatically?
No. It is the current liability ceiling per passenger. Actual proven damage and depreciation determine recovery below it.
Can I claim against Brussels Airlines on a partner-operated journey?
Montreal can involve contracting and actual carriers. Preserve the full itinerary and make the airport report with the carrier handling arrival.