Don’t Let Damaged Luggage by Airline Ruin your Trip and Mood: Comprehensive Guide for Women Travelers

The excitement of a trip, whether you are going to another place or returning to your home sweet home, begins the moment you step into the airport. Which is why when their lack of care when handling your luggage results in irreversible damage, it is more than a mild bummer. And for women with a ton of responsibilities, from work to taking care of their families, the added obstacles of baggage damage from airlines is an unwelcome experience.

According to a survey done by LocalCircles in February 2024, half of the fliers in the past two years have experienced baggage damage at least once. About 2 in 5 fliers have had their luggage lost or delayed at least once, and one in four fliers experienced an unsatisfactory grievance response from these airlines. The overall percentage of people who have encountered some sort of issue with their baggage has increased from 25% in 2022 to 42% in the past two years.

Even celebrities like Sonakshi Sinha and Shamita Shetty have been vocal about their experiences with  Indian airlines mishandling their baggage. Just recently, TV actress Urvashi Dholakia took to Instagram to share the poor condition of her luggage after Air India’s mishandling. The video is gaining a lot of attention with others also sharing similar experiences of baggage damage by airlines.

 
 
 
 
 
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A post shared by URVASHI (@urvashidholakia)

If you have experienced this, or you would like to be prepared for an upcoming trip, let us tell us few crucial things you should know, including how to file baggage claims.

What The Airlines Are Liable For In Case Of Baggage Damage:

First, do a cursory check to see what liabilities are accepted by the airline you are choosing. 

Since you leave your luggage in their custody for the duration of the trip, there are a few legal bindings in place when it comes to these airlines. According to the Carriage by Air Act of 1972, there is the option of availing compensation in case of baggage damage, loss, or delay.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has said that in the case of international passengers, the amount that can be compensated is up to 1,131 SDR per person. For delayed, lost, or destroyed cargo, the limit is 19 SDR.

SDR stands for Special Drawing Rights, and is a unit of currency which is defined by the International Monetary Fund. The amount this unit will equal to will depend on what the value of the national currency is at the time of your case.

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For domestic passengers, the compensation limit for their baggage damage, delay, or loss, or is ₹20,000 per person, and damaged or delayed cargo can be reimbursed up to ₹350 per KG.

These limitations are not applicable to you, however, if you have declared a specific value of your items at the time of check-in and paid an extra fee.

There are a few exceptions to the items that you can file a claim for. Valuable items, unless mentioned at the time of checking in, unchecked baggage, minor wear and tear like scratches and dents, overpacked luggage, and damage to the pull handle are a few of the situations that do not fall under the liability of the airline.

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What Is The Process Of Filing A Compensation Claim for Damaged Baggage: 

The first step you need to take if your situation meets the prerequisites is to report it to the airline, and file a Property Irregularity Report (PIR) immediately. This should also be followed by a written claim to the Indian airlines.

The conditions that make you eligible for compensation are if: 

  1. The baggage was accepted and checked-in by the airline. 
  2. All of the damage occurred when the luggage was in the custody of the airlines.

In case your compensation claim is denied, even if it adheres to the airline luggage policies, there are a few steps you can take. Filing a civil case in the civil court for the baggage damage is the first option. The process of this will depend on a few factors, like in which city or country the case needs to be filed, and you will need to check the details for it to be done correctly. 

Since it is a service that requires a payment on the flier’s part, the damage or loss can also be addressed under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019. And the third option is filing a complaint on the Air Sewa portal, launched by the DGCA.

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Tips On What The Women Travelers Can Do On Their Part: 

Even if there are ways to get the compensation you rightly deserve, there are always ways you can try to prevent this situation altogether. Ladies, here are some tips on what you can do.

  1. Secure your baggage with the proper locks and straps.
  2. Pack within the weight limits provided by the airline luggage policies. 
  3. Do not pack valuables in your luggage unless you are disclosing it to the airlines so they can take better care of it.
  4. Take pictures of your bag before you check-in to have proof of its condition in case you need to prove the damage occurred when the airline was in control of it. 
  5. Label your baggage in a way that makes it easily identifiable. 
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Homegrown Brands for Quality Travel Luggage: 

Another thing that can be done on your part to avoid this unnecessary hassle is to invest in good quality luggage from the beginning. Here are 3 Homegrown Brands that are bringing you quality and stylish luggage bags for travel.

Mokobara
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Mokobara offers luggage made with a polycarbonate hard shell that makes it durable and flexible. The designs are also sleek and functional, offering ample space and compartments for smart packing. 

Nasher Miles
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For a more variety depending upon your visit, you can check out Nasher Miles. They have an option of getting hard or soft luggage, as well as a separate collection for business trips that come with a TSA approved lock.

Nappa Dori
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Nappa Dori is another Indian brand, specializing in leather luggage, which offers features like USB charging in their carry-ons, and a lightweight build in their check-in bags.

In the end, we hope you never have to experience a situation like this in the first place. From dampening your happiness and wasting precious time, to loss of important and meaningful belongings, incidents of baggage damage have a myriad of unfixable consequences. We wish all the women travelers a safe and hassle-free trip.

Also Read: Girls Trip on Hold? Here are 7 Safe and Scenic Indian Destinations for Solo Women Travelers

Also Read: 5 Homegrown Brands with Stylish Eco-Friendly Tote Bags to Match your Vibe and Mood

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