If you’re anything like us, you absolutely love travel! There’s nothing quite like hopping on a plane, train, or bus or getting into your car and exploring new places and towns. Adventure is what helps you stay curious and open-minded. But setting that rose-colored perspective aside for a moment, you can’t deny that far from everything goes right on trips. So, you need a bit of resilience to weather the issues that inevitably pop up.
Flights get delayed, people fall ill, your fellow passengers might be rude, and… your luggage might not handle the trip as well as you do. Today, our team at Bored Panda is featuring some of the biggest, most painful baggage fails ever shared online. From people’s bags and suitcases getting damaged to them getting left behind, there’s a bit of everything. Scroll down below to take a peek.
Bored Panda wanted to get to grips with how travelers can minimize the risks of having their luggage damaged, as well as how they can stay positive even when things go wrong. So, we reached out to the team at the Scandinavian outdoor brand 'Db' for their insights. Simon Wahlqvist was kind enough to shed some light on our questions, and you'll find his thoughts below.
#1 Fly Emir8s - And Get Your Non-Profit’s 20 Ipads Confiscated
A little background - I work in IT, but volunteer with a healthcare non-profit that does health screenings around the world. We have screened at least 5,000 people since 2016 for hypertension, diabetes and kidney failure, successfully connecting at-risk people in remote areas with the help they need. I developed an app that uses a laptop, a wireless access point and 20 iPads to collect testing results, which allows us to collect data and get it to the doctors that can help.
After a successful 3-day screening in southwest Uganda last week where we saw over 1,000 people, I received my luggage back with a nice “we confiscated all your stuff” card from the Dubai airport, courtesy of Emir8s Air. Airport chat via WhatsApp confirmed it was taken with no ability to get it back. No reason was given, despite the airline’s website saying that checking tablets in luggage was allowed.
Our health screening program is pretty much dead now.
Image credits: TheW0lver1n3
According to Wahlqvist, from the Scandinavian outdoor brand 'Db,' something that can make a huge difference for travelers is choosing a durable, hard-shell suitcase. This helps protect their belongings, "especially when bags get tossed around during handling."
"Packing smart helps too—using packing cubes and padded inserts keeps things organized and cushioned from impact," he told Bored Panda via email.
Meanwhile, we also asked what airports and airlines can do on their end to protect travelers' bags more. "Airports and airlines can improve this by investing in more modern baggage handling systems and training ground staff to handle luggage with care. Adding padding to high-impact areas (like conveyor belt edges) could also prevent some of the more common damage points."
#2 When United Airlines Can't/Won't Tell A Customer Where Their Missing Luggage Is
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#3 Just Watched This Bag Fall Out Of A Luggage Carrier And So Many Workers Just Walked Past It And Won't Put It In The Plane
Image credits: slothacaus
Naturally, it's hard to stay positive when your luggage ends up missing or shows up broken when you land. "But having a well-packed carry-on with essentials (change of clothes, toiletries, valuables) gives you some breathing room while things get sorted. Travel insurance/buying from brands that offer a warranty that covers baggage issues can also ease the financial sting," Wahlqvist said.
"Emotionally, mindset matters too—focusing on the experiences you’re having, not the stuff you’re missing, helps keep the trip on track. If you can lean into the adventure and laugh about the mishap later, it becomes a story to tell, not just a frustration."
Wahlqvist suggested that travelers consider choosing bags with distinct designs or colors to help avoid mix-ups at the carousel. Meanwhile, something else that can give some added peace of mind is using tracking solutions like Apple AirTag, etc.
#4 Tap Air Portugal Just Returned My Luggage They Lost Last Week. Not Only Did They Destroy The Brand New Suitcase, Lots Of Stuff Is Missing. It Was A Nice Way To Cap Off An Anniversary Trip
Image credits: critically_gingered
#5 This Is How The Luggage Containing My Playstation Arrived
Image credits: Yamoyek
#6 To Whoever Lost A Wheel From Their Checked Luggage, I Found It
Image credits: csweinreich29
Wahlqvist was kind enough to share a few more pieces of advice with Bored Panda. For example, travelers should strive to pick the right bag setup. "For shorter trips or city breaks, a well-designed carry-on paired with an under-seat bag can eliminate the need to check luggage altogether—saving you time at baggage claim and reducing the risk of lost gear," he said.
"This streamlined approach means you can hit the ground running and spend more time exploring, not waiting around. Bonus tip: opt for bags with dedicated compartments to keep essentials like tech, toiletries, and snacks easily accessible during the journey."
#7 Delta Rolled Over And Destroyed My Luggage And Now They Want Me To Provide Receipts
Image credits: CBTtoolbox
#8 Unexpected Souvenir In My Luggage After Returning From Uganda
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#9 That’s My Luggage, Not On The Plane
Image credits: frogwithawatergun
Nobody should have their baggage damaged, delayed, or lost. It’s something that we wouldn’t wish on even our very worst frenemies. But the reality of the world is that mistakes can—and often do—happen.
The staff working at the airport and the airlines can make small mistakes throughout the process of your bags being scanned, tagged, and transported to and from the plane.
There are so many different moving parts when it comes to processing people’s luggage that there’s lots of room for error, no matter how talented and well-trained everyone is. Given a long enough timeframe, small accidents and baggage mishandling will happen. The only thing you can focus on is minimizing the frequency of these mistakes, not eradicating them altogether.
#10 Baggage "Handled" By Airline. Flight All The Way To Nz, Final Photo Is The Identical Luggage
Image credits: ponkalelo
#11 At Least They Didn't Lose My Luggage
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#12 How Aal Returned My Checked Luggage That I Didn't Want Checked But Had To Because They "Ran Out" Of Overhead Storage Despite Having Plenty When I Boarded
Image credits: jaykaysian
According to Poente Technical, the first step of baggage handling is checking it in. Each piece of your luggage is tagged with a unique identifier, including destination codes and routing information.
That way, your bags and suitcases can be tracked throughout the airport using automated systems.
Next, your tagged bags then make their way through the airport’s vast network of conveyor belts. The luggage is automatically scanned, sorted, and routed toward the flights it needs to be on. Naturally, each piece of baggage is carefully screened to ensure that they don’t contain any illegal items or dangerous materials.
#13 How To Go About Reimbursement On Destroyed Luggage
Traveling from Minneapolis was asked to check bag at gate. Upon arrival at salt lake international my bag never came at baggage claim. After talking with the delta agents for 30 minutes. When a man walked from the back holding a shredded suitcase with what was left of my belonging wrapped in sheet from my luggage. I am a traveling nurse and everything from my 400$ stethoscope meds scrubs multiple contacts and more were gone or damaged to a total loss. Any advice on how to go about it. They are saying I must provide receipts showing proof of purchase prior to the damage.
Image credits: Cutahutes
#14 My Luggage Got Ran Over. I Was Forced To Gate-Check My Carry-On, And When I Went To Pick It Up I Was Told It Had Been “Banged Up”. However It Was Actually Mangled
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#15 Why Do Gate Agents Let People Get Away With Gate Checking Oversized Luggage
Image credits: upstandingelf
Once your luggage is checked and deemed safe, it’s then loaded onto carts and transported to the airplane, where it’s placed in the cargo hold before takeoff. Something that the ground crew and airline staff need to keep in mind is the weight distribution of the baggage throughout the plane.
The entire process is reversed for planes that land, culminating in you picking your bags up from the reclaim area carousel.
#16 When Can People Learn This Won't Close?
I am 1k and there is one thing that annoys me to no end - that is United doesn't put a much bigger sign on each of the middle overhead compartment to let people know their luggage will not fit unless turned horizontally for 99% of the luggage carryons.
Every flight I take, there are multiple people that insist it will fit and end up costing an entire line jam, and a few times my own luggage that's completely positioned correctly to be slammed against closure that I have to yell at people to stop shoving their luggage in.
I feel like this is something that can be prevented if they show a video before boarding (while people wait) or a gigantic sign to let people know it will not fit. Sigh.
Image credits: zangy888
#17 This Happened Last Year, Flying Back From Vacation. They Told Us Our Suitcase Must Have Fallen Off The Transport Truck. Everything Inside Was Gone, Yet They Managed To Retrieve The Bag
Image credits: CatchyUrchin
#18 Saw Someone Else Post A Suitcase, Here’s Mine From A Year Ago
Image credits: Likeablesauce21
Here’s the thing, though, even if every single person employed is well-paid, highly trained, highly motivated, skilled, and responsible, small mistakes can still happen. Human error is one aspect to think about. But even automated systems can break down at times, and your luggage can get damaged as it gets tossed around or stuck.
But the fact is, just like in any other part of the job industry, the staff employed at airports and airplanes aren’t always motivated, trained, or dedicated to doing their jobs to the very best of their ability.
#19 Southwest Let Our Luggage Sit In Two Hours Of Pouring Rain. They Wouldn't Let Anyone Out Because Of Lightning In The Area, Even Though The Bags Were 10 Yards Away From Shelter
Everything was ruined for most passengers.
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#20 How My Suitcase Arrived From The Baggage Carousel After My Flight
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#21 Luggage Wheels Are Not Meant To Be Used To Throw Luggage Around With
2 of 4 bags has a wheel out of whack (brand new luggage for trip) and 2 of 4 have the wheel ripped open in luggage (1 brand new 1 2 years old)
Went to United to file claim and was told hardsided is the worst as the wheels constantly rip off...... I pointed out I watched them unload luggage by 1 wheel and 1 handle last night, with most weight being led by the wheel and the manager at United simply said yes that is why these are so bad. Buy soft sided next time.
Image credits: Difficult_Teaching18
Even if their jobs require a lot of responsibility, it’s a very human tendency to strive to do the least work possible. There are plenty of careful and disciplined baggage handlers working at airports around the world… but you’ve probably seen a few who couldn’t care less about their jobs. Some of them throw around suitcases and bags without a care in the world—like they’re playing a violent sport.
You look at the baggage sometimes being energetically tossed into the carousels, into carts, and into the cargo hold, and you secretly hope that your stuff is getting more respect.
#22 My Suitcase Got Destroyed. I’m Not Even Mad At This Point Because Of How Comical This Level Of Destruction Is. The Handle Got Melted To Its Enclosure And The Metal Has Heat Discoloration
Image credits: Amazing-Disaster-774
#23 How I Found My Luggage When I Arrive In My Country
Image credits: Plouka_97
#24 When You Get This... Instead Of Your Luggage
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According to the UK Civil Aviation Authority, if your baggage is damaged, you should report this when you arrive at the airport. You’ll likely need to write up a report and put in a written claim to the airline ASAP. If your claim is accepted, the company may pay to repair your luggage, or they might provide you with a replacement suitcase.
#25 Whoops! Luggage Cart Dropping Bags Between Atl Concourses B And C
Glanced out the windows at the Terminal B sky club and saw a Delta luggage cart dropping bags all the way from B over to C. Most concerning was the ones pictured right in the taxiway. Went to let someone know at the sky club but another cart showed up minutes later to pick up the bags.
Image credits: behaviouralist
#26 There Was An Attempt To Travel With Checked Luggage On Christmas Eve
Image credits: reddit.com
#27 Ok, I Hear You, Flight Attendant. It's Time For A New Luggage
Image credits: eddiecooperorlando
Meanwhile, the U.S. Department of Transportation notes that airlines are required to compensate passengers if their bags are damaged, delayed, or lost.
“Airlines are responsible for repairing or reimbursing a passenger for damaged baggage and/or its contents when the damage occurs while the bag is under the airline’s control during transportation. Airlines are not responsible for pre-existing damage to the bag or if the damage was caused by improper packing,” the DOT explains, adding that if the damage can’t be repaired, the airline will negotiate a compensation amount based on the value of your bag.
#28 Going For A Trip Next Week And My Luggage Handle Disintegrated
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#29 I’m Not Even Mad I’m Impressed
By how Delta managed to dent my Away Suitcase. They very quickly reimbursed me the full cost even though I’ve had it for probably 5 years. I’m sure I can indent this too.
Image credits: cheetahprintshoes
#30 So This Is How They Lose Luggage
Image credits: Bigsurgal
Have you ever had your luggage damaged, delayed, or completely lost when traveling by plane, dear Pandas? What happened? How bad was the situation? Did the airlines or airport compensate you for the incident?
What do you do to protect your baggage and your things while traveling, whether by plane, train, or bus? Feel free to share your nightmare travel stories in the comments.
#31 Delta Stole My Jordans
so 3 days ago i took a connected flight from Amsterdam to Edinburgh to New York. they apparently lost my luggage so i called KLM about this but they told me its delta’s business. today my luggage came, one suitcase was fine but my second was ripped in half, it was literally closed with ducktape. the only important stolen items are my jordans idk if they stole something else but im really disappointed. tried to file a claim trough my iphone but it doesn’t work so thomorow im going to try to file it trough my laptop. do yall think its delta’s fault and what more should i do?
Image credits: ImateMat
#32 My GF Put Her Makeup Set In Her Luggage
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#33 Air Canada Messed Up My Bag (But At Least I Got Photos)
I almost missed my connection in Switzerland today and my carry on was gate checked. Thats fine. I passed it to a lady right before I boarded the plane. I took my seat and realized I was by the baggage hold’s door and I was able to see my bag from the window. Cool! Then I realized that the handle was bent at a weird angle. It definitely wasn’t when I handed it off - I speed-walked through the airport with that bag just fine 20 minutes ago. THEN I watched them put it in the plane with the HANDLE STILL EXTENDED. I guess they thought it was already broken, so what the hell! Or maybe they couldn’t close it. Anyways - who knows what it will look like when we land. I’m a bit sad. I’ve had this bag since I was about 5 years old, cute little tag and everything :(
Image credits: peepeehead1542
#34 Major Delays Due To Storms. We've All Just Been Sitting Here Watching Our Luggage Get Rained On For The Past 45 Minutes
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#35 Good Job Ta
I have received this bag after 8 days, now I am missing my two wheels.
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#36 Just Saw Someone's Bag Drop Off A Trailer At Dublin Airport
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#37 Thanks West Jet Appreciate The Attention To Detail On Luggage Handling. Great Way To Start A Vacation
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#38 No Filters Needed To Showcase What Happens When You Drop Four Flights’ Worth Of Baggage On One Carousel
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#39 Came From An 8 Hour Flight Just To Find That The People Of The Airport Broke Into My Luggage
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#40 Delta At Their Finest Everyone. Thanks For The Quality Baggage Care. Broke Items Inside, That’s How Hard It Was Thrown
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#41 Southwest Is A Jerk. This Bag Used To Be Brand New
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#42 Passengers Were Told To Put Suitcases Under Their Seats. I Was Flying On Austrian Airlines Earlier This Month And They Had Allowed Too Many Hand Carry Luggages Into The Cabin
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#43 Always Pack Duck Tape
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#44 There Was An Attempt To Properly Load Suitcases In The Overhead Bin
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#45 Waited An Hour Just To Get Through Customs, Finally Get Home After A Long Ride And The Lock For My Suitcase Was Broken So I Have To Find The Key And Then Well
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#46 When Your Suitcase Shows Up In Baggage Claim With All Of The Zipper Pulls Yanked Off
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#47 Apparently Southwest Air Uses Cheese Graters To Move Luggage. Spent My Entire Drive Home Sobbing
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#48 The Luggage Got More Adventure Than Me
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#49 Grabbed My Rolling Suitcase Handle To Head Out The Door To The Airport
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#50 First Time Using My New Suitcase
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#51 I Leave For College Tomorrow Morning, And My Suitcase Wheel Just Disintegrated
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#52 Encountered This Guy Hiking Down A Mountain With Some Weird Luggage
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#53 In The USA For The First Time, Flew 9000 Km To Meet Up With My Reddit Friend (Also For The First Time)
On day 2 we got all of our luggage stolen from the rental car, including my passport and phone. Currently, our only belongings are in this target bag.
Image credits: trustmeimadancer
#54 They Made Me Check My Duffle Bag. Found It Like This At Baggage Claim
The flight was full. I was the last group to board. All carry-on bags were being checked at the gate by the time I got to the front.
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#55 Not Happy When Your Brand New Suitcase Is Destroyed On Its First Airplane Experience
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#56 Packing Broken
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#57 Well, This Just Happened. At The Airport To Our Vacation. It's An Old Suitcase, But Still
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#58 Delta Airlines Broke My Brand New Suitcase
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#59 When You Fly Long Haul On Ba This Is How Priority Luggage Is Treated By Baggage Handlers
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#60 This Suitcase Has Officially Seen Too Much
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