Overview
- The European Court of Justice ruled on 16 October 2025 in case C-218/24 that animals transported in the hold fall under the Montreal Convention’s baggage liability regime.
- Compensation for a lost pet is capped at the baggage limit, reported at roughly €1,600–€1,700 based on SDR, unless a higher value was declared before travel.
- The case stemmed from a 2019 Iberia journey from Buenos Aires to Barcelona in which a dog escaped its transport box on the airfield and was not recovered.
- Iberia acknowledged responsibility but applied the baggage cap, prompting the referring Spanish court to seek the EU tribunal’s interpretation.
- The judges said EU recognition of animal sentience requires welfare consideration during transport yet does not alter the liability classification, providing binding guidance for national courts.