Air India Baggage Claims: Compensation Limits, Deadlines & Contacts
Domestic Max
$
International Max
1519 SDR
Avg Response
30 days
Claim Types
3
To get Air India baggage compensation, report the issue at the airport baggage office immediately and get a PIR (Property Irregularity Report). Domestic compensation is capped at $. International compensation is capped at 1519 SDR (~$1,900). File online at Air India's claims portal.
Air India Baggage Claims & Compensation: What You Need to Know
Air India is a Asia-Pacific carrier headquartered in IN, a member of the Star Alliance. Under applicable aviation regulations, passengers have defined rights when baggage is lost, damaged, or delayed.
When filing a claim with Air India, time-sensitive actions are critical. The tightest deadline is 7 days from the incident; excluded items include jewelry, cash, electronics; typical response time is 30 days. Acting quickly and having your documentation ready significantly increases the likelihood of a successful claim.
For the best chance of resolving your claim: the the executive office channel (rated 70% effective) tends to yield the best results; the escalation path with the highest success rate (80%) involves file suit under the montreal convention (within 2 years) in the appropriate jurisdiction, or in us small claims court / indian consumer forum; our data for Air India has a confidence score of 80%; last verified in June 2026.
Compared to other airlines in our database: their international limit of ~$1,900 is slightly below the average. These figures are based on data from 83 airlines.
Air India Claim Deadlines
Damaged Baggage
| Flight Type | Action | Deadline | Regulation |
|---|---|---|---|
| domestic | Report at Airport | 7 days | Carriage by Air Act 1972 (Montreal Convention Art. 31) |
| international | Report at Airport | 7 days | Montreal Convention Art. 31 |
If missed: Claim may be denied; airline can argue damage occurred after the bag left its custody
Delayed Baggage
| Flight Type | Action | Deadline | Regulation |
|---|---|---|---|
| domestic | File Claim Online | 21 days | Carriage by Air Act 1972 (Montreal Convention Art. 31) |
| international | File Claim Online | 21 days | Montreal Convention Art. 31 |
If missed: May lose the right to interim expense reimbursement and complicate later claims
Lost Baggage
| Flight Type | Action | Deadline | Regulation |
|---|---|---|---|
| domestic | File Claim Online | 21 days | Carriage by Air Act 1972 (Montreal Convention Art. 31) |
| international | File Claim Online | 21 days | Montreal Convention Art. 31, 35 |
If missed: Claim may be denied or reduced if filed late or without supporting documentation
Documentation Requirements
Required Documents
- ✓pir report
Property Irregularity Report filed at the airport Lost & Found / Air India desk
Note: Obtain BEFORE leaving the airport. Contains the 10-character PIR reference number used for tracking.
- ✓boarding pass
Original boarding pass or e-ticket confirmation
- ✓baggage tag
Baggage tag / claim check issued at check-in
- ✓photo
Photographs of the damaged baggage from multiple angles
Note: Include close-ups of the damage and full-bag photos. Photograph any damaged contents as well.
- ✓interim expense receipt
Original receipts for emergency purchases while the bag is delayed
Note: Toiletries, essential clothing, medication. Keep all receipts for reimbursement.
- ✓pir report
Property Irregularity Report filed at the airport
- ✓boarding pass
Original boarding pass or e-ticket confirmation
- ✓itemized list
Itemised list of contents with description, age and value of each item
Note: Air India requires an itemised contents list. Include brand names, purchase dates and condition.
- ✓receipt
Proof of purchase or ownership for claimed items
Note: Air India requires proof of purchase/ownership to substantiate the claim. Credit-card statements and photos of items also help.
- ✓pir report
Property Irregularity Report filed at the airport
- ✓boarding pass
Original boarding pass or e-ticket confirmation
- ✓baggage tag
Baggage tag / claim check issued at check-in
Air India Liability Limits
Domestic Flights
—
1519 SDR
Montreal Convention
Excluded: jewelry, cash, electronics, cameras, photographic_equipment, documents, medication, fragile_items, perishable_items, valuables
International Flights
$1,900
1519 SDR
Montreal Convention
Excluded: jewelry, cash, electronics, cameras, photographic_equipment, documents, medication, fragile_items, perishable_items, valuables
Air India Contact Information
Claims Mailing Address
Air India Limited, Customer Care, Vatika One on One, Sector-16, NH-48, Gurugram, Haryana 122007, India
Registered corporate office; use for formal written escalations. Send by trackable courier.
Claims Email
contactus@airindia.in
General Air India customer contact email. No dedicated baggage-claims email published on the official site; use the online Customer Support Portal for baggage claims.
Customer Service
1-888-634-1407
Hours: 24/7
Avg wait: 30 min
Air India US toll-free customer service line. Verified from Air India US customer-service page; press menu options for baggage. US-India travel only.
Customer Service
011-6932 9333
Hours: 24/7
Avg wait: 30 min
India customer support line. Press 2 for baggage-related information.
Executive Office
Campbell Wilson, MD & CEO - Air India Limited, Vatika One on One, Sector-16, NH-48, Gurugram, Haryana 122007, India
Executive escalation. Use only after other channels are exhausted.
Want us to handle this for you?
We'll file your Air India claim end-to-end — or use the official forms below.
Claim Forms & Portals
Lost & Damaged Baggage Claim (Customer Support Portal)
Online PortalSubmit via online
Typical response: 30 days
Delayed Baggage Claim (Customer Support Portal)
Online PortalSubmit via online
Typical response: 30 days
Lost Baggage Claim (Customer Support Portal)
Online PortalSubmit via online
Typical response: 30 days
Escalation Path
internal
55% successCall Air India baggage/customer support (US: 1-888-634-1407; India: 011-6932 9333, press 2) with the PIR reference number, or follow up via the online Customer Support Portal
When to escalate: PIR filed, no response or bag not traced within 7 days
Avg resolution: 7 days
internal
60% successSubmit a written complaint to Air India Customer Care via email (contactus@airindia.in) or the Customer Support Portal, citing the Montreal Convention
When to escalate: Claim denied or inadequate offer after 21 days
Avg resolution: 21 days
internal
65% successSend an executive escalation letter to MD & CEO Campbell Wilson at the Gurugram head office
When to escalate: Customer Care response unsatisfactory
Avg resolution: 14 days
regulatory
75% successFile a complaint with the US Department of Transportation (for travel to/from the US) and/or India's AirSewa / DGCA grievance portal
When to escalate: All internal options exhausted or no resolution after 30 days
Avg resolution: 30 days
legal
80% successBest Success RateFile suit under the Montreal Convention (within 2 years) in the appropriate jurisdiction, or in US small claims court / Indian consumer forum
When to escalate: Regulatory complaint unsuccessful
Avg resolution: 60 days
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Air India's maximum baggage liability for domestic flights?
Air India's maximum liability for domestic flights is $undefined under Montreal Convention. This covers the depreciated value of your bag and its contents.
What is Air India's maximum baggage liability for international flights?
Air India's maximum liability for international flights is 1519 SDR (approximately $1,900) under the Montreal Convention. SDR values fluctuate with exchange rates.
How long do I have to file a lost baggage claim with Air India?
Baggage is declared lost if not traced within 21 days of filing the Property Irregularity Report; file the formal claim with an itemised contents list
What items does Air India exclude from baggage liability?
Air India excludes the following items from baggage liability: jewelry, cash, electronics, cameras, photographic_equipment, documents, medication, fragile_items, perishable_items, valuables. These items are not covered even if they are damaged, lost, or stolen during transit. Consider keeping high-value and excluded items in your carry-on.
Can I track my missing Air India bag online?
Yes, Air India uses the WorldTracer system for tracking mishandled baggage. You can check the status of your delayed or lost bag using the reference number from your Property Irregularity Report (PIR). Track your bag at Air India's tracking portal.
How does Air India calculate the value of lost items?
Air India applies depreciation when calculating compensation for lost items, meaning you receive the current value rather than the original purchase price. Typical depreciation is 10-20% per year for clothing and 20-33% for electronics. Provide purchase receipts or credit card statements to support your claimed values.
How much compensation can I get from Air India for lost or delayed baggage?
Air India's maximum baggage compensation is up to 1519 SDR (approximately $1,900) for international flights under the Montreal Convention. Actual compensation is based on the depreciated value of your items, so keep receipts and purchase records to support your claim.
What's the fastest way to reach Air India about a baggage claim?
Based on our data, contacting the executive office is the most effective channel for Air India baggage claims, with an effectiveness rating of 70%.
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