Standing at a silent luggage carousel is a specific kind of soul-crushing experience. The crowd thins out. The buzzer sounds. The belt stops moving with a final, mechanical clunk. You look around, hoping for a miracle, but the only thing left is a lone, battered stroller that definitely isn't yours. If you’ve flown through Pearson or Montreal lately, you know the dread. Air Canada losing baggage isn't just a meme or a Twitter complaint; for thousands of passengers every year, it’s a logistical nightmare that derails vacations and business trips alike.
It happens.
A lot.
During the "summer of travel chaos" following the pandemic, Air Canada’s baggage handling metrics became a national talking point in Canada. Even as operations have supposedly smoothed out, the sheer volume of passengers moving through hubs like YYZ and YUL means the system is always one thunderstorm or IT glitch away from a total meltdown. Most people think they just have to file a report and wait. They’re wrong. If you sit back and wait for the airline to do the right thing, you might never see your suitcase again. You have to be aggressive. You have to know the law—specifically the Montreal Convention—better than the agent behind the desk does.
Why the system breaks down
Airlines love to blame "short-staffing" or "third-party contractors," but the reality is more complex. Baggage systems are a delicate web of barcode scanners, conveyor belts, and human handlers. If a flight is delayed by thirty minutes, that might mean your bag misses its connection even if you made it. Why? Because the ground crew is prioritized for the next outbound flight, not the "hot" bags coming off a late arrival.
Air Canada, as the country’s flag carrier, handles more volume than anyone else. This makes them the easy target. But the data from the Canadian Transportation Agency (CTA) shows that baggage complaints remain a top category of consumer dissatisfaction. It’s not just about a bag being "lost." Most are actually just "delayed." There is a massive legal difference between those two terms, and knowing which one applies to you is the difference between getting a $200 voucher and a $2,300 check.
The 21-day rule you need to memorize
Under the Montreal Convention—a treaty that governs international flights—a bag is officially "lost" if it hasn't arrived within 21 days. Before that, it is merely "delayed."
This matters.
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If your bag is delayed, the airline is liable for "reasonable" expenses. What’s reasonable? It depends. If you’re a groom and your tuxedo is in the bag, a rental is reasonable. If you’re a hiker and your boots are gone, buying new ones is reasonable. If you buy a Gucci suit because your t-shirt was in the bag? Air Canada will laugh at your claim. Honestly, they’re looking for any excuse to deny the payout, so keep every single receipt. Scraps of paper are your only currency in this fight.
Air Canada losing baggage: The immediate steps that actually work
The second you realize your bag isn't coming, find the WorldTracer kiosk or the baggage office. Do not leave the airport without a Property Irregularity Report (PIR). This is a document with a code like YYZAC12345. Without this code, you basically don't exist to the airline's tracking system.
- Take a photo of the PIR. Do not just tuck it in your pocket.
- Be polite but firm. The person at the counter didn't lose your bag, but they are the gatekeeper to the notes in the system.
- Check the tag. Did the gate agent at your departure city actually tag it to your final destination? Sometimes they short-check it by mistake.
I’ve seen people get frantic and start yelling. Don't. It gets you nowhere. Instead, ask the agent to check the "on-hand" baggage list. Occasionally, bags arrive on an earlier flight and are just sitting in the back room while the carousel for your specific flight remains empty. It’s a long shot, but it happens more often than you’d think.
The AirTag revolution
If you aren't traveling with a Bluetooth tracker like an Apple AirTag or a Tile, you are playing a dangerous game. Air Canada’s internal tracking is often behind. I’ve talked to travelers who could see their bag sitting on the tarmac in Vancouver while the airline's app insisted the bag was still in London.
Having that data gives you leverage.
When you can tell the agent, "My bag is currently at Terminal 3, Gate B22," it forces them to actually look. It shifts the power dynamic. You aren't a helpless passenger anymore; you're a person with GPS coordinates. However, be aware that some airlines have tried to ban these trackers in the past (looking at you, Lufthansa), though those efforts mostly failed. Air Canada currently allows them. Use them.
The financial side of the mess
Let’s talk money. The maximum liability for a lost or damaged bag is roughly $2,300 CAD (based on Special Drawing Rights, or SDRs). This isn't a flat fee. You don't just get $2,300 because they lost your bag. You have to prove the value of what was inside.
This is where people mess up. They don't have photos of their suitcase contents. If you’re reading this before your next flight: lay everything out on the bed and take a video. Show the labels. Show the condition of the items. It’s the only way to win a dispute with the claims department.
What about "interim expenses"?
If you are away from home, Air Canada is supposed to cover the cost of necessities. They usually offer a meager amount—sometimes a $50 or $100 debit card at the airport. Take it, but don't think it waives your right to more. If you need to spend $400 on essentials because you’re at a wedding, spend it. Just ensure the purchases are defensible.
Toiletries? Yes.
Change of clothes? Yes.
A Nintendo Switch because you were bored without your bag? Absolutely not.
Misconceptions about "Direct" flights
Many people think flying direct protects them. It helps, sure. But baggage handlers at major hubs like Toronto Pearson (YYZ) are often overwhelmed. Bags can fall off carts. Scanners can fail to read a crumpled tag. Sometimes, a bag is pulled for a random security check by CATSA and doesn't make it back to the plane in time.
Even on a direct flight, your bag is handled by at least two or three different teams. The "direct flight safety net" is a myth. Always pack a "survival kit" in your carry-on: one change of clothes, all medications, and all chargers. If Air Canada loses your checked bag, the carry-on is your lifeline.
How to escalate when they stop responding
Air Canada's claims process can be a black hole. You submit the form, and then... silence. For weeks. Maybe months.
If it’s been more than 30 days and you haven't had a satisfactory resolution, you have three main paths. First, the Canadian Transportation Agency (CTA). They have a massive backlog, so don't expect a quick fix, but filing a formal complaint puts the airline on notice.
Second, small claims court. In many provinces, this is surprisingly effective. Airlines often settle because the cost of sending a lawyer to fight a $1,500 baggage claim is higher than just paying you out.
Third, credit card insurance. Most premium travel cards (Visa Infinite, Amex Gold/Platinum) have built-in lost luggage insurance. Often, the insurance company is much easier to deal with than the airline. They’ll pay you out, and then they’ll go after Air Canada to recoup the costs. Let the billionaires fight each other while you get your money back.
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The reality of "Found" bags
When a bag is found, Air Canada usually uses a third-party courier to deliver it to your house or hotel. This is another point of failure. These couriers are often stretched thin. I’ve heard stories of bags being left on porches in the rain or delivered to the wrong hotel entirely. If they tell you your bag is "with the courier," get the name of the courier company and a tracking number for the delivery van. Don't just trust that it will show up.
Practical steps for your next flight
The goal isn't just to survive Air Canada losing baggage—it’s to prevent it or make the recovery painless.
- Strip the old tags. Those little white barcode stickers from your flight to Cancun three years ago? They confuse the scanners. Peeling them off takes five seconds and saves hours of headaches.
- Use a sturdy bag. Soft-sided luggage can get caught in the belts. If a strap gets snagged, the bag stops, the belt keeps moving, and suddenly your zipper is ripped open.
- Label the inside. If the external tag gets ripped off, the airline will open the bag to look for ID. Put a piece of paper on top of your clothes with your name, phone number, and flight itinerary.
- Check in early. Late check-ins are the number one cause of "left behind" bags. If you’re sprinting to the gate, your bag is likely still sitting at the check-in counter.
- Watch the scale. Overweight bags are handled differently and often set aside for manual loading, increasing the chance they don't make the flight.
Dealing with lost luggage is an exercise in patience and record-keeping. It's frustrating because it feels personal, but to the airline, it’s just a line item on a spreadsheet. By being the person who has the photos, the receipts, the AirTag location, and a copy of the Montreal Convention, you move yourself to the front of the line.
Keep your cool. Document everything. Don't take "no" for an answer from a chatbot or a tired agent. Your stuff is out there somewhere; you just have to make it more expensive for them to lose it than to find it.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Download your airline's app before heading to the airport to receive real-time baggage status notifications.
- Purchase a set of Bluetooth trackers for every checked piece of luggage to provide independent location verification.
- Create a digital "packing folder" on your phone with photos of your suitcase (inside and out) and your baggage claim receipts before every trip.
- Review your credit card’s benefits guide to understand exactly what documentation they require for a baggage delay claim, as it often differs from the airline’s requirements.