Can a (slightly) damaged suitcase be used as checked luggage?
I have a suitcase which was damaged on a previous flight, the top handle was ripped off. There is no "structural damage", the handle base is still there.
Will I have issues when checking in the case on my next flight? Can the case be rejected as already damaged?
Best Answer
I flew from mainland France to Mayotte, last summer, and the Mahores have some interesting strategies for "cheap luggage".
- Many of them were using big coolers wrapped in plastic, for example.
- Others had simple "bundles" of clothes also wrapped in plastic.
- ...
It was all very exotic, though all of them were sufficiently wrapped up to not have any loose bit hanging which I would expect the airline to be most concerned about (in case it catches into something).
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Can I fly with damaged suitcase?
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, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation's Aviation Consumer Protection division. The cheapest option for airlines is a bag repair.Can you check fragile luggage?
FRAGILE ITEMS These items may not be transported in checked baggage. Fragile items that meet all the requirements are allowed as carry-on or checked baggage may still require a Limited Liability Waiver.How do you deal with damaged luggage?
If you arrive in the baggage hall to find your luggage has been damaged, go to the relevant luggage handling counter at the airport and fill in a Property Irregularity Report (PIR). The airline will then contact you to discuss the extent of the damage and its recourse, which could take the form of a new suitcase.How much do airlines pay for damaged luggage?
Airline Liability Limitations According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, U.S. airlines are liable for up to $3,500 in damages on domestic flights. However, you may only receive compensation up to $1,780 for incidents on international travel.More answers regarding can a (slightly) damaged suitcase be used as checked luggage?
Answer 2
As Andrew said, it's very unlikely that they'll prevent you from checking it in.
I flew from the UK to Sweden last year. The suitcase I had was broken: the handle was locked in the topmost position, and it was impossible to "push it back" into the suitcase again.
The airline had me sign a waiver, saying that the suitcase was already damaged, and after that they checked it in without problems. Apart from you having to sign something like this, I don't see any trouble with you checking in your luggage.
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