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Your Passenger Rights on International Flights – Montreal Convention
The Montreal Convention, or MC99, helps protect millions of international air passengers each year. It covers issues that affect your health or luggage, including flight delays and cancellations. Unlike rules like the EU’s EC 261, which clearly states compensation amounts, the Montreal Convention is evaluated on a case-by-case basis and can be more complex to understand.
For more details about the Convention and the protections it offers, enter your flight details into our free Eligibility Checker.
Montreal Convention compensation
What is the Montreal Convetion?
The Montreal Convention (MC99) is an international treaty that holds airlines responsible for damages caused during flights, including delays, cancellations, and lost or damaged luggage.
What does this mean for passengers? If you can show that you lost money due to an airline’s actions—like a flight delay, cancellation, or lost baggage—MC99 gives you the right to claim compensation.
While MC99 does not offer as strong protections as the European EC 261 regulation, it is recognized by over 135 countries. This makes it a reliable standard that covers most international flights around the world.
What compensation can you get?
The Montreal Convention (MC99) does not set specific compensation amounts for flight delays or cancellations. Instead, it allows passengers to claim reimbursement for related expenses. If you miss a prepaid reservation, need to pay for an extra hotel night, or face other unexpected costs due to travel issues, you can be compensated up to $7,000.
MC99 also covers luggage problems. You can claim up to $1,700 for damaged, delayed, or lost baggage. Remember, there are strict time limits for filing these claims, so act quickly.
Delayed, canceled, or otherwise disrupted flight?
Montreal Convention in detail
What’s covered?
The Montreal Convention (MC99) covers various situations such as flight delays, cancellations, overbooking, in-flight injuries, and lost or damaged luggage.
It’s important to note that MC99 only applies to international flights. Domestic flights within one country are not covered.
An exception is if your flight starts and ends in the same country but includes a planned stop in another country. For example, a flight in China with a stopover in India would be treated as an international flight under MC99. A direct flight within one country would still be considered domestic and not covered by the Convention.
Montreal Convention countries
The Montreal Convention applies to all international flights between countries that follow its rules. Right now, over 135 countries and territories recognize this regulation.
All European Union member states and most UN member states abide by the Convention, covering nearly all major global aviation markets.
Below is a full list of Montreal Convention countries:
| Countries | ||
|---|---|---|
| Albania | Fiji | North Macedonia |
| Argentina | Finland | Norway |
| Armenia | France | Oman |
| Australia | Gabon | Pakistan |
| Austria | Gambia | Panama |
| Azerbaijan | Georgia | Paraguay |
| Bahamas | Germany | Peru |
| Bahrain | Ghana | Philippines |
| Bangladesh | Greece | Poland |
| Barbados | Guatamala | Portugal |
| Belgium | Guyana | Qatar |
| Belize | Honduras | Republic of Korea |
| Benin | Hungary | Republic of Moldova |
| Bolivia | Iceland | Romania |
| Bosnia and Herzegovina | India | Russian Federation |
| Botswana | Indonesia | Rwanda |
| Brazil | Ireland | Saint Vincent and the Grenadines |
| Brunei Darussalam | Israel | Saudi Arabia |
| Bulgaria | Italy | Senegal |
| Burkina Faso | Jamaica | Serbia |
| Cabo Verde | Japan | Seychelles |
| Cambodia | Jordan | Sierra Leone |
| Cameroon | Kazakhstan | Singapore |
| Canada | Kenya | Slovakia |
| Central African Republic | Kuwait | Slovenia |
| Chad | Latvia | South Africa |
| Chile | Lebanon | Spain |
| China | Lithuania | Sri Lanka |
| Colombia | Luxembourg | Sudan |
| Congo | Madagascar | Sweden |
| Cook Islands | Malaysia | Switzerland |
| Costa Rica | Maldives | Syrian Arab Republic |
| Côte d’Ivoire | Mali | Thailand |
| Croatia | Malta | Togo |
| Cuba | Mauritius | Tonga |
| Cyprus | Mexico | Tunisia |
| Czech Republic | Monaco | Turkey |
| Democratic Republic of the Congo | Mongolia | Uganda |
| Denmark | Montenegro | Ukraine |
| Dominican Republic | Morocco | United Arab Emirates |
| Ecuador | Mozambique | United Kingdom |
| Egypt | Namibia | United Republic of Tanzania |
| El Salvador | Nepal | United States |
| Equatorial Guinea | Netherlands | Uruguay |
| Estonia | New Zealand | Vantuatu |
| Eswatini | Niger | Viet Nam |
| Ethiopia | Nigeria | Zambia |
What’s Not Covered? Extraordinary Circumstances
In certain cases, airlines aren’t held responsible for delays or cancellations and don’t have to pay damages. These situations, called extraordinary circumstances, include:
- Severe weather conditions
- Safety or security threats
- Political unrest
- Strikes by airport staff or air traffic control
However, airlines still need to prove they took reasonable steps to prevent delays or cancellations. For example, if your flight was delayed due to bad weather but other airlines managed to avoid long delays by preparing better, you may still have the right to claim compensation.
Flight delays
The Montreal Convention (MC99) is not as detailed as other air passenger rights rules like Europe’s EC 261 or Brazil’s ANAC 400 when it comes to protecting travelers from flight delays and cancellations.
Instead of clearly defining compensation rights, MC99 refers to damages passengers can claim. Besides actual injuries during a flight, passengers can request compensation for damages caused by delays, including those from cancellations or overbooking.
The amount you can claim varies by situation, but MC99 sets a maximum limit. It uses the IMF’s Special Drawing Rights (SDR) as currency, so we’ve provided approximate conversions for clarity.
| Maximum claim for delay (per person) | |
|---|---|
| SDR | 5,346 |
| US$ (approx) | 7,000 |
When it comes to air travel issues like flight delays or cancellations, the interpretation of “damages” can vary widely depending on the jurisdiction where your case is handled.
In countries like the United States, damages are generally limited to financial losses. If you miss a prepaid reservation, incur additional hotel charges, or face any unforeseen expenses due to air travel disruptions, you are entitled to reimbursement. To successfully claim compensation, it’s important to keep documentation and proof of any additional costs — so make sure to save all receipts and relevant records.
However, in regions like the European Union, the definition of damages is broader. Passengers may not only be eligible for reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses, but they could also claim compensation for emotional distress caused by flight disruptions. The specific eligibility for these types of claims depends on the individual circumstances of each case.
For the most accurate and tailored advice on your specific situation, we recommend consulting a legal professional specializing in air travel compensation. AioFlight is here to help guide you through the process, ensuring you know your rights and receive the compensation you deserve.
Delayed, canceled, or otherwise disrupted flight?
Baggage Problems and Compensation: What the Montreal Convention Means for You
If you’ve experienced issues with your baggage, such as delays, losses, or damage, the Montreal Convention provides important protections for air passengers. This international agreement ensures you can claim reimbursement for baggage-related problems that occur while your bag is under the airline’s responsibility.
Under the Montreal Convention, passengers can claim up to $1,700 for baggage issues, including delayed, lost, or damaged bags. Whether your baggage didn’t arrive on time or was damaged during transit, the convention allows you to seek compensation for your losses.
To maximize your chances of a successful claim, be sure to file with the airline promptly and keep all necessary documentation, such as baggage receipts and proof of damage or delay. AioFlight is here to help guide you through the process, ensuring you receive the reimbursement you’re entitled to under the Montreal Convention.
If your luggage is delayed, damaged, or lost, it’s important to act quickly. There are strict time limits for filing baggage claims, so make sure to report any issues immediately—preferably while still at the airport.
Claim Deadlines:
- Damaged bags must be reported within 7 days.
- Delayed baggage must be reported within 21 days.
- If your bag is lost for over 21 days, it is considered permanently lost, and you’ll have 2 years to file a claim.
When filing a claim, you’ll need to provide your boarding pass and checked luggage receipts, so always hold onto them.
What Can You Claim? Under the Montreal Convention, if your baggage is delayed, you can claim for essential replacement items. This doesn’t just include clothes and toiletries — for example, if you’re on a ski trip and the airline loses your skis, you can claim the cost of renting replacements until your skis are returned. Always keep receipts for any expenses you incur!
If your luggage is lost or completely damaged, you are entitled to reimbursement for its value, as long as the issue happened on an international flight.
Important Notes:
The Montreal Convention applies to international flights, but there are also national laws that provide baggage protection. For example, U.S. air passenger rights may offer additional support for baggage claims. For more information on luggage compensation, visit AioFlight’s dedicated luggage compensation page.
Claim Time Limits Under the Montreal Convention: What You Need to Know
If your flight is delayed, your baggage is damaged, delayed, or lost, you may be entitled to compensation under the Montreal Convention (MC99). Here’s an overview of the time limits for filing claims:
| Issue | Time to Claim |
|---|---|
| Flight Delay | 2 years |
| Damaged Bag | 7 days |
| Delayed Bag | 21 days |
| Lost Bag | 2 years |
Flight Disruptions and Compensation: Under the Montreal Convention, you can claim compensation for up to 2 years after a flight delay or cancellation. However, to improve your chances of a successful claim, we strongly recommend submitting your claim as soon as possible.
Baggage Claims Deadlines:
- Damaged baggage claims must be filed within 7 days.
- Delayed baggage claims must be submitted within 21 days.
- Lost baggage: If your bag is missing for more than 21 days, it is considered lost, and you’ll have 2 years to file a claim.
For the quickest resolution, always report baggage issues immediately and keep all necessary documentation, such as your boarding pass and baggage receipts.
Remember: While the Montreal Convention protects your rights for international flights, national laws, like U.S. air passenger rights, may also offer additional protection for baggage claims.
At AioFlight, we’re here to help you navigate the baggage claims process and ensure you get the compensation you deserve.
Brazilian air passenger laws apply to:
Montreal Convention Claims with AioFlight
At AioFlight, we can assist with Montreal Convention (MC99) claims for AioFlight customers. Due to the complexity of handling MC99 claims, we currently offer dedicated support for our members.
We are continuously exploring ways to extend our services to help all passengers, including support for baggage claims and integrating MC99 claims with our existing flight compensation services.
If you’re an AioFlight customer, we’re here to ensure you receive the full compensation you’re entitled to under the Montreal Convention. Stay tuned for updates as we work to expand our services and make the claims process easier for all passengers.