Emirates Airlines Liability

Last updated: 31 October 2026.

Your ticket forms a contract of carriage governed by the ticket's terms, Emirates' Conditions of Carriage, its tariffs and its regulations. On international flights the Montreal Convention of 1999 sets the main limits. A "special drawing right" (SDR) is an accounting unit of the International Monetary Fund and changes in rupee value daily.

Baggage and delay limits

Baggage lost, late or damaged on international trips to or from Canada

1,288 SDR per passenger, as stated in Emirates' Canadian notice

Baggage delay under the Conditions of Carriage (Montreal Convention flights)

1,519 SDR per passenger in the latest version found; older versions show lower amounts

Passenger delay under the Conditions of Carriage

6,303 SDR per passenger in the latest version found

• Emirates documents on its site do not agree on the baggage figure. Look at the carriage conditions that cover your own ticket and country.
• Where neither the Warsaw nor the Montreal Convention applies, Emirates states it has no liability for delay except as set out in its Conditions.

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Deadlines to report problems

Damaged baggage

Within 7 days of receiving the bag

Delayed baggage

Within 21 days of receiving the bag

Baggage not found

If it cannot be located within 21 days, it is treated as lost

• If bags do not appear, or arrive damaged, tell the baggage services desk before you leave the reclaim hall. You are given a Property Irregularity Report (PIR) number to follow the search.
• Once you have left the airport, get in touch with Emirates quickly. If another airline flew your flight, contact that airline.
• Extra bags bought on top of the allowance can be treated as delayed only if they do not arrive within five days of the flight, according to Emirates' South Africa page.

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Delays, cancellations and denied boarding

• Emirates publishes passenger-rights notices for the EU, the UK, India, Canada, the USA and other markets. Which one applies depends on where you fly.
• Flights to or from Canada: care, rebooking and compensation (CAD 400, 700 or 1,000 for arrival delays of 3, 6 or 9 hours when the cause lies within Emirates' control). See the Refunds page.
• Tarmac delays at Canadian airports: Emirates provides toilets, ventilation and temperature control, food and drink, a way to communicate and urgent medical help, and lets passengers leave the aircraft after three hours where possible.
• On Canada flights a child below 12 always sits beside an adult travelling with them, and Emirates tries to seat children under 14 near a parent.

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Complaints

• Send the feedback or complaints form to Customer Affairs, or email customer.affairs@emirates.com. Phone +971 4 708 3611, Monday to Thursday 7am to 3pm and Friday 7am to 2.30pm (UAE time).
• Flights to or from Argentina follow a 30-working-day handling rule, after which you may escalate to the Argentine civil aviation authority.

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Questions travellers ask us

By when must a damaged bag be reported?

7 days after you receive it. Do it at the airport if you can.

When does a delayed bag count as lost?

After 21 days without being found.

How much does Emirates pay for lost baggage?

The Montreal Convention cap applies, shown by Emirates as 1,288 SDR in its Canadian notice and 1,519 SDR in its latest Conditions of Carriage.

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Baggage Allowance is an independent information site and is not part of Emirates. Check the airline's own pages before you travel.