Travelling by air is nerve-racking enough for many people, but that’s only half the anxiety. One major concern when travelling is the possibility of losing our luggage. Even if our luggage makes it through the trip, there’s still a chance it could be damaged.
However, did you know that you may be entitled to claim compensation for damaged luggage? Here’s what happened to a passenger after discovering that his luggage didn’t arrive in the condition it was in when he checked it in:
Recently, a user on Threads by the name of Afiq Zaimi shared his experience of flying with Malaysia Airlines. Although he did not specify the details of the trip, he revealed that his luggage had unfortunately lost a wheel by the time he collected it at his destination. Thankfully, after lodging a complaint, the airline promptly replaced his luggage with a new one.
“Great work, Malaysia Airlines! I filed a report at a counter in KLIA after my luggage lost a wheel. In less than five minutes, they gave me a new suitcase! So efficient! Amazing 👍🏽 #MalaysiaHospitality,” he wrote in his post. The story quickly went viral on the platform, with netizens sharing their own experiences of being compensated for damaged belongings. Some also pointed out that this policy applies to all airlines.
Others claimed that the quality of the replacement luggage was not as good as their original, and that they would have preferred cash compensation to purchase a new one themselves. A few also shared their unfortunate experience of dealing with MAS staff who refused to replace their damaged luggage, saying that the airline is not responsible for such damage.
Regardless of the outcome, it’s still advisable for you to file a complaint immediately after discovering that your luggage has been damaged on the flight. Here’s what you need to do:
- Take a photo of your luggage before or during check-in.
- Do not leave the arrival hall if you discover that your luggage has been damaged.
- Proceed directly to the relevant airline’s service counter to file a report.
- Provide evidence that the damage occurred after the flight.
- Airline staff will assess the damaged item to determine whether it qualifies for a replacement or compensation under their policy.
Also be sure to check each airline’s baggage policy on their official website, as these may vary from one airline to another. Whether your luggage is delayed, damaged or lost, it’s a good idea to do some research on what steps to take should any of these situations arise, though hopefully, you’ll never have to experience such misfortunes.
