Status: Checked against official sources on 18 October 2026
FREQUENT FLYER GLOSSARY
What is Montreal Convention delay liability?
Montreal Convention delay liability is the airline-liability topic of the 1999 Montreal Convention (MC99), which IATA — the International Air Transport Association, whose stated mission is "to represent, lead, and serve the airline industry" — lists as "Montreal Convention 1999" under its Passenger Experience & Policy programme and describes there as "Promoting universal ratification of MC99 to benefit consumers while clarifying airline liability" [2].
Facts checked against the source listed below: 18 October 2026
Key takeaways
- IATA lists "Montreal Convention 1999" as an item in its Passenger Experience & Policy programme and summarises its work on it as "Promoting universal ratification of MC99 to benefit consumers while clarifying airline liability." [2]
- The same page lists other passenger-policy items alongside the Convention, including Consumer Issues ("Protecting consumer rights while supporting sustainable air services") and Baggage ("Driving innovation in baggage processes, RFID for tracking and message standards"). [2]
- IATA describes its general passenger-policy method as developing, with its members, international organizations and states, "standards aimed at simplifying the passenger process towards a more seamless, inclusive and secure passenger experience while improving efficiency and lowering industry costs." [2]
What does IATA say about the Montreal Convention?
On its Passenger Experience & Policy page, IATA lists "Montreal Convention 1999" among the subject areas of the programme and gives a one-line description of the work: "Promoting universal ratification of MC99 to benefit consumers while clarifying airline liability." [2]
The same page sets out IATA's general method in passenger policy: in collaboration with its members, international organizations and states, it "develops standards aimed at simplifying the passenger process towards a more seamless, inclusive and secure passenger experience while improving efficiency and lowering industry costs." [2]
The Convention item is presented alongside other passenger-policy items, each as a separate entry. Consumer Issues is described as "Protecting consumer rights while supporting sustainable air services"; Baggage as "Driving innovation in baggage processes, RFID for tracking and message standards"; and EU Policy Briefings as "Access our latest policy briefs for European governments". [2]
Sources
- IATA — Passenger Experience & Policy (Montreal Convention 1999), checked 18 October 2026