Glossary
Montreal Convention
Definition: The Montreal Convention is an international treaty governing airline liability for passenger injury, death, baggage damage or loss, and flight delays on international air travel, setting maximum compensation limits.
The Montreal Convention (formally the Convention for the Unification of Certain Rules for International Carriage by Air) was adopted in 1999 and has been ratified by over 130 countries. It replaced the earlier Warsaw Convention and establishes uniform rules for airline liability.
Under the Montreal Convention, airlines are liable for: passenger death or bodily injury (unlimited liability for the first ~$175,000), checked baggage damage, loss, or delay (up to ~$1,800 per passenger), carry-on baggage damage (if airline is at fault), and damage caused by flight delays (up to ~$7,500 per passenger).
For business class travellers carrying valuable luggage, the Montreal Convention’s baggage compensation limits are important to understand. While the limits are per passenger rather than per bag, they may not cover the full value of expensive business attire and equipment. Travel insurance is recommended for high-value items. BookMyBusinessClass can advise on appropriate travel insurance options.