In short: Report a delayed bag at the airport or via ReportMyBag as soon as possible and within 7 days of travel; track it on WorldTracer. Claim essentials on the Baggage Claim Form with receipts – Aer Lingus's guide is about €100 on day 1, €50 a day on days 2–3, €40 on days 4–8 and €20 from day 8 to 21 (guidance, not a cap). After 21 days a bag is treated as lost, up to 1,519 SDR. Damage must be reported within 7 days of receiving the bag.
Reporting a delayed bag
Aer Lingus treats a bag as delayed if it is not on the carousel when you arrive. It asks you to report it as soon as possible and within 7 days of travel:
- at the airport, with its agents or at the kiosks in the arrivals hall; or
- online through the ReportMyBag form (reportmybag.aerlingus.com) – once only, as duplicate reports slow tracing.
You need your baggage tag number (for example EI654321 or 3053 123456, on your check-in receipt). You then receive a Delayed Baggage Reference Number by email and can follow the search on WorldTracer, or call the Bag Tracing team on +353 1 761 7838. Aer Lingus says most delayed bags are returned within 24 hours; after that it asks you to add the bag's contents (and any AirTag location) in WorldTracer or on its Bag Contents form. Aer Lingus also says you must report promptly to be able to claim essential expenses.
What Aer Lingus pays for essentials
If you do not have travel insurance, Aer Lingus asks you to claim on the Baggage Claim Form with your booking reference, Delayed Baggage Reference Number, receipts and bank details. It reviews each item and accepts up to 10 receipts (PDF, PNG or JPG). Its published guide to reasonable essential expenses:
| Bag delayed for | Aer Lingus guide amount |
|---|---|
| Day 1 | €100 first-needs payment (or local-currency equivalent) |
| Days 2–3 | €50 |
| Days 4–8 | €40 |
| Days 8–21 | €20 |
Aer Lingus describes these as average amounts per day, given for guidance only – "not a daily limit or cap" – with each claim handled individually up to its maximum liability. Receipts must be legible and show the date, items, retailer, amount and currency. If a buggy or other child equipment is delayed, Aer Lingus says it reimburses a basic replacement. If you have travel insurance, Aer Lingus can provide documents to support a claim with your insurer instead. The general rules: delayed baggage compensation.
Lost bags after 21 days
If your bag is still missing after 21 days, Aer Lingus considers it lost and, in line with the Montreal Convention, you can claim for your property on the Baggage Claim Form, listing the contents and attaching any receipts. Points from Aer Lingus's page:
- It offers to settle up to its maximum liability, the euro equivalent of 1,519 Special Drawing Rights. Aer Lingus put this at about €1,900 as of December 2024; at the IMF rate on 10 November 2026 it was about €1,837 or £1,534.
- The settlement takes account of the age and condition of the items.
- Anything already paid for essentials is deducted from the final settlement if the bag is not found.
Build the claim with an itemised list, purchase dates and evidence of value. Full process: lost luggage compensation.
Damaged bags
Aer Lingus asks you to report damage at the airport information desk on arrival. If you did not, report it through its WorldTracer Passenger Self Service link within seven days of receiving your bag. You then get a Damaged Baggage Reference Number. To claim (if you are not claiming through insurance), use the Baggage Claim Form with:
- your booking reference and damaged baggage reference (or bag tag number if you did not report at the airport);
- the manufacturer and type of bag;
- up to three photos of the damage;
- receipts for any replacement bag.
Aer Lingus does not cover minor exterior damage from normal wear and tear (scratches, stains, soiling, dents) or water damage to non-waterproof bags, and accepts no liability for damage to cabin bags unless caused by its negligence. See damaged luggage compensation.
Deadlines and where to complain
| Problem | Aer Lingus asks you to | Montreal Convention limit |
|---|---|---|
| Delayed bag | Report as soon as possible, within 7 days of travel | Written claim within 21 days of delivery |
| Damaged bag | Report on arrival or within 7 days of receipt | Written complaint within 7 days |
| Lost bag | Claim once 21 days have passed | Court action within 2 years |
Baggage claims are governed by the Montreal Convention, not EU261. If Aer Lingus rejects a claim on a flight from Great Britain, the CAA's PACT also handles Montreal Convention baggage complaints for airlines that are not in an ADR scheme – see CAA complaint. If your flight was also 3 hours or more late, claim that separately: Aer Lingus claim guide.
Frequently asked questions
How much does Aer Lingus pay for a delayed bag?
Reasonable essential expenses with receipts. Aer Lingus's guide is about €100 for day 1, €50 a day for days 2–3, €40 for days 4–8 and €20 for days 8–21 – averages for guidance, not a fixed cap.
How do I report delayed baggage to Aer Lingus?
At the airport (agents or arrivals-hall kiosks) or online through the ReportMyBag form, within 7 days of travel. You need your baggage tag number, and you will receive a Delayed Baggage Reference Number.
When does Aer Lingus treat a bag as lost?
After 21 days. You can then claim for the bag and contents up to 1,519 SDR, with a deduction for age and condition and for any essentials already reimbursed.
Does Aer Lingus pay for a damaged suitcase?
Yes, if the damage is more than normal wear and tear. Report it on arrival or within seven days of receiving the bag, then claim with photos, the bag's make and type, and replacement receipts.
The Aer Lingus name belongs to its owner; EU261 Flight Delay is an independent information site and is not affiliated with Aer Lingus. Information only, not legal advice.
Sources
- Delayed Baggage – Aer Lingus
- Damaged Baggage – Aer Lingus
- Requests and Enquiries – Aer Lingus
- How the CAA can help – UK Civil Aviation Authority
- SDR valuation – currency units per SDR – International Monetary Fund
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