SAS delayed, lost or damaged baggage claim
Report an SAS baggage problem at the airport and obtain a Property Irregularity Report, then send the correct written claim with evidence. Damage must normally be complained about within seven days after receiving the bag; delayed baggage within 21 days after delivery; and court action under the Montreal Convention generally has a two-year limit. The current international liability ceiling is 1,519 SDR per passenger, but it caps proven loss rather than guaranteeing that amount.
Free eligibility check
Check your case in the form
Enter your route, date and type of disruption. We will check whether your case qualifies for a claim under EU 261/2004 or UK261.
What happened to your flight?
Claim up to €600 for a delayed or cancelled flight.
Choose the situation that applies to your flight:
Baggage compensation is separate from EC261 delay or cancellation payment. One disruption can create both claims when their independent conditions are met.
Immediate action table
| Problem | At the airport | Written claim |
|---|---|---|
| Bag does not arrive | Create a PIR, confirm delivery address and keep baggage tag | Claim necessary delayed-bag purchases within 21 days after delivery |
| Bag arrives damaged | Report before leaving where possible, photograph all sides | Send damage complaint within seven days after receipt |
| Contents are missing | Record tampering and missing items, preserve the bag | Submit itemised proof within the damage period |
| Bag remains missing for 21 days | Keep tracing reference and inventory | Enforce loss rights when the Convention threshold is met |
| Mobility aid or special item affected | Seek immediate assistance and document urgency | Apply specific Montreal and accessibility rules |
A PIR creates an operational tracing record. Do not assume it always constitutes the complete written monetary claim.
Delayed baggage expenses
The passenger can seek reasonable, necessary purchases caused by being without the bag. Basic clothing, toiletries and essential items suited to the trip are typical. The correct amount depends on destination, delay length, items already available and travel purpose.
Mitigate loss. A one-night delay rarely justifies replacing an entire wardrobe. A longer business or special-event trip can require more, but explain necessity. Keep itemised receipts and avoid relying solely on card statements.
When the bag is delivered, record the exact date and time. The 21-day written period runs from delivery, and the final expense schedule should be submitted promptly. Items retained by the passenger may be reimbursed at an appropriate value rather than treated as free replacements without assessment.
When baggage is treated as lost
Under the Montreal Convention, a passenger can enforce rights arising from the contract of carriage if the carrier admits loss or checked baggage has not arrived after 21 days from when it should have arrived. Continue tracing while preparing an inventory and proof of ownership.
List each item, age, purchase price, condition and replacement evidence. Liability generally reflects proven value rather than new-for-old retail price for every used item. Photographs, receipts, warranties and travel records can support the inventory.
Do not invent exact values for missing goods. A credible, documented list is more persuasive than claiming the full SDR ceiling without proof.
Damaged baggage
Photograph the bag before leaving the reclaim area, including tag, wheels, handles, shell, locks and internal damage. Keep the bag available for inspection. Obtain a repair assessment or evidence that repair is uneconomic when SAS requests it.
Normal wear, scratches and damage caused by an inherent defect can fall outside carrier liability. Structural cracks, broken wheels or torn fabric require a factual assessment. If contents are damaged, show how the external event affected them and preserve packaging.
Send the written complaint within seven days after receiving checked baggage. Reporting at the airport is best, but the later claim should still state the damage, amount and evidence explicitly.
Current 1,519 SDR ceiling
ICAO revised the Montreal Convention baggage limit to 1,519 Special Drawing Rights per passenger with effect from 28 December 2024. SDR is an International Monetary Fund unit whose currency value changes. Convert it for the relevant settlement date with an authoritative rate rather than fixing a permanent euro amount.
The ceiling combines baggage liability for the passenger under the ordinary Convention rule; it is not 1,519 SDR per bag or per item. A passenger can make a special declaration of interest at check-in and pay a supplementary sum where the carrier permits, potentially altering the limit.
Some SAS pages may retain older figures. Use the ICAO revision and current law for a 2026 claim, while applying the limit in force on the relevant legal date.
Two-year action period
The right to damages under Montreal is extinguished if legal action is not brought within two years, calculated from arrival at destination, the date the aircraft ought to have arrived, or the date carriage stopped. The method of calculating the period follows the law of the court hearing the case.
Airline correspondence does not necessarily extend it. Track the two-year date separately from the seven-day and 21-day written notices. A prompt claim leaves time to resolve valuation or choose a competent court.
The SAS deadline guide compares Montreal, APPR and EC261 calendars.
Multi-airline and codeshare baggage
On an itinerary with SAS and a partner, preserve every baggage tag and ticket. Montreal rules address contracting, actual and successive carriage; the correct respondent can differ from the EC261 operating carrier. Report at the final airport and ask which airline controls tracing.
An SK marketing code does not prove SAS physically carried the bag. Conversely, SAS may remain involved under the carriage contract even when a partner handled a sector. Do not miss notice periods while airlines redirect the passenger.
Separate EC261 and baggage
If a delayed SAS flight reaches the final destination three hours late and the bag arrives two days later, the passenger can assess EUR 250-600 for the flight and actual baggage expenses under Montreal. The baggage ceiling does not replace the flight payment, and EC261 does not provide a fixed amount for luggage.
Hotel or meal costs caused by the flight wait belong to care. Toiletries purchased because the bag was missing belong to baggage loss. Avoid claiming the same receipt twice.
Submission file
Include the ticket, boarding pass, baggage tag, PIR, tracing updates, delivery record, photographs, item inventory, repair report and itemised receipts. State passenger, route, bag number, event, dates and exact amount in currency.
Use the SAS baggage category rather than the EU261 form. Preserve the submission and reference, and respond promptly to inspection or ownership questions.
This baggage guide was checked on 26 August 2026 against ICAO's current revised limits and SAS procedures.
FAQ
Is a PIR the same as a complete baggage claim?
No. It is essential operational evidence, but send a separate written monetary claim with receipts and details within the applicable period.
Is 1,519 SDR paid automatically for a lost bag?
No. It is the ordinary liability ceiling per passenger; actual recovery depends on proven loss and the Convention's rules.
When is a bag treated as lost?
The passenger can enforce loss rights when the carrier admits loss or the bag has not arrived 21 days after it should have arrived.
Can I claim new clothing during a baggage delay?
Reasonable necessities can be claimed, but quantity and value should match the trip, delay length and items genuinely unavailable.
Can baggage damages coexist with SAS delay compensation?
Yes. Montreal baggage loss and EC261 flight inconvenience are distinct, provided the same expense is not recovered twice.