Austrian Airlines Baggage Compensation: EU Rights & Montreal Convention
Domestic Max
$2,000
International Max
1519 SDR
Avg Response
21 days
Claim Types
3
To get Austrian Airlines baggage compensation, report the issue at the airport baggage office immediately and get a PIR (Property Irregularity Report). Domestic compensation is capped at $2,000. International compensation is capped at 1519 SDR (~$2,000). File online at Austrian Airlines's claims portal.
Austrian Airlines Baggage Claims & Compensation: What You Need to Know
Austrian Airlines is a European carrier headquartered in AT, a member of the Star Alliance. Under EU Regulation 889/2002 and the Montreal Convention, passengers have defined rights when baggage is lost, damaged, or delayed. As an EU-regulated carrier, the Montreal Convention applies to both domestic and international flights, meaning passengers receive strong liability protections regardless of route.
When filing a claim with Austrian Airlines, time-sensitive actions are critical. The tightest deadline is 7 days from the incident; interim expenses are covered up to $50; excluded items include jewelry, cash, electronics; typical response time is 21 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 74% effective) tends to yield the best results; the escalation path with the highest success rate (80%) involves file claim with austrian consumer arbitration board (schlichtung) or bezirksgericht (district court) for small claims; our data for Austrian Airlines has a confidence score of 88%; last verified in February 2026.
Compared to other airlines in our database: Austrian Airlines's domestic liability cap of $2,000 is 18% below the industry average of $2,431; their international limit of ~$2,000 matches the industry standard; their interim expense allowance of $50 is about average. These figures are based on data from 56 airlines.
Austrian Airlines Claim Deadlines
Damaged Baggage
| Flight Type | Action | Deadline | Regulation |
|---|---|---|---|
| domestic | Report at Airport | 7 days | Montreal Convention Art. 31, EU Reg 889/2002 |
| domestic | File Claim Online | 21 days | Montreal Convention Art. 31 |
| international | Report at Airport | 7 days | Montreal Convention Art. 31 |
| international | File Claim Online | 21 days | Montreal Convention Art. 31 |
If missed: Claim barred under Montreal Convention Article 31
Delayed Baggage
| Flight Type | Action | Deadline | Regulation |
|---|---|---|---|
| domestic | File Claim Online | 21 days | Montreal Convention Art. 31 |
| international | File Claim Online | 21 days | Montreal Convention Art. 31 |
If missed: Claim barred under Montreal Convention Article 31
Lost Baggage
| Flight Type | Action | Deadline | Regulation |
|---|---|---|---|
| domestic | File Claim Online | 21 days | Montreal Convention Art. 31, 35 |
| international | File Claim Online | 21 days | Montreal Convention Art. 31, 35 |
If missed: Claim barred under Montreal Convention
Documentation Requirements
Required Documents
- ✓pir report
Property Irregularity Report from airport Baggage Service Office
Note: Get this BEFORE leaving the airport. Contains reference number needed for all future communications.
- ✓boarding pass
Original boarding pass or e-ticket confirmation
- ✓baggage tag
Baggage claim check
- ✓photo
Photos of damage from multiple angles
Note: Include close-ups of damage and overall bag condition.
- ✓boarding pass
Original boarding pass or e-ticket confirmation
- ✓pir report
Property Irregularity Report from airport
- ✓interim expense receipt
Receipts for interim expenses (toiletries, clothing, etc.)
Note: Keep all receipts. Must be reasonable and necessary.
- ✓itemized list
Detailed list of bag contents with estimated values
Note: Include purchase dates and values for each item.
- ✓pir report
Property Irregularity Report from airport
- ✓boarding pass
Original boarding pass or e-ticket confirmation
- ✓baggage tag
Baggage claim check
Recommended (Optional)
- ○receipt
Original purchase receipt or repair estimate
- ○receipt
Original purchase receipts for claimed items
Austrian Airlines Liability Limits
Domestic Flights
$2,000
1519 SDR
Montreal Convention
Interim expenses: up to $50 (5 days)
Excluded: jewelry, cash, electronics, cameras, documents, medication, fragile items, perishables, keys
International Flights
$2,000
1519 SDR
Montreal Convention
Interim expenses: up to $50 (5 days)
Excluded: jewelry, cash, electronics, cameras, documents, medication, fragile items, perishables, keys
Austrian Airlines Contact Information
Baggage Hotline
+43 5 1766 1000
Hours: Mon-Sun 6AM-11PM CET
Avg wait: 20 min
Austrian Airlines baggage claims hotline. Have your booking reference and PIR number ready.
Claims Mailing Address
Austrian Airlines, P.O. Box 33, A-1300 Vienna Airport, Austria
Send formal written claims via registered post.
Claims Email
customer.relations@austrian.com
Customer Relations email. Response time: 7-14 days.
Customer Service
1-800-843-0002
Hours: Mon-Fri 8AM-5PM EST
Avg wait: 25 min
US customer service number for Austrian Airlines.
Executive Office
Annette Mann, CEO - Office Park 2, 1300 Vienna Airport, Austria
Executive escalation. Use only after other channels exhausted.
Social Media
@_austrian on Instagram
Hours: 24/7
Active social media support. DM for privacy.
Claim Forms & Portals
Escalation Path
internal
60% successCall Austrian Airlines baggage service at +43 5 1766 1000 with PIR reference number
When to escalate: Initial claim filed, no response in 7 days
Avg resolution: 7 days
internal
65% successSubmit written complaint via Austrian Airlines Customer Relations online form or by post to Austrian Airlines AG, Office Park 2, P.O. Box 100, 1300 Vienna Airport, Austria
When to escalate: Claim denied or inadequate offer after 14 days
Avg resolution: 21 days
internal
70% successSend executive escalation letter to CEO Annette Mann at Austrian Airlines AG, Office Park 2, 1300 Vienna Airport, Austria
When to escalate: Customer Relations response unsatisfactory
Avg resolution: 14 days
regulatory
70% successFile complaint with Austrian Federal Ministry for Climate Action (Agentur fuer Passagier- und Fahrgastrechte - apf)
When to escalate: All internal options exhausted
Avg resolution: 30 days
legal
80% successBest Success RateFile claim with Austrian consumer arbitration board (Schlichtung) or Bezirksgericht (district court) for small claims
When to escalate: Regulatory complaint unsuccessful
Avg resolution: 60 days
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Austrian Airlines's maximum baggage liability for domestic flights?
Austrian Airlines's maximum liability for domestic flights is $2,000 under Montreal Convention. This covers the depreciated value of your bag and its contents.
What is Austrian Airlines's maximum baggage liability for international flights?
Austrian Airlines's maximum liability for international flights is 1519 SDR (approximately $2,000) under the Montreal Convention. SDR values fluctuate with exchange rates.
How long do I have to file a lost baggage claim with Austrian Airlines?
Bag declared lost after 21 days. File formal claim within 21 days.
Does Austrian Airlines cover expenses while my bag is delayed?
Yes, Austrian Airlines provides interim expense coverage up to $50 for up to 5 days. This covers reasonable purchases like toiletries, underwear, and a change of clothing. Keep all receipts — you won't be reimbursed without them.
What items does Austrian Airlines exclude from baggage liability?
Austrian Airlines excludes the following items from baggage liability: jewelry, cash, electronics, cameras, documents, medication, fragile items, perishables, keys. 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 Austrian Airlines bag online?
Yes, Austrian Airlines 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 Austrian Airlines's tracking portal.
How does Austrian Airlines calculate the value of lost items?
Austrian Airlines 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 Austrian Airlines for lost or delayed baggage?
Austrian Airlines's maximum baggage compensation is up to $2,000 for domestic flights, and up to 1519 SDR (approximately $2,000) 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 Austrian Airlines about a baggage claim?
Based on our data, contacting the executive office is the most effective channel for Austrian Airlines baggage claims, with an effectiveness rating of 74%.
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