If you’ve ever stood in shock near the baggage carousel because your suitcase was slowly coming towards you ripped open and looking like an overloaded sandwich, you’re in the right company. Baggage handling is a wild and tumbled world, after all. And while dents and scratches are a regular business that most passengers simply shrug off, these severe cases are something travelers’ nightmares are made of.

A brief scroll through this list makes it look like handing over checked suitcases is almost like taking a leap of faith. But remember that once they leave your sight at the airport, they start a journey of their own. Whether it’s passing through conveyor belts, dozens of baggage handlers’ hands, or taking a ride on different trolleys, many unexpected things happen until they finally get back to you.

It's enough to give an already nervous traveler yet another reason to be filled with worry. But thankfully, in the majority of cases, your checked bag is going to arrive at its destination on time and in the condition received.

According to a 2019 Baggage IT report by SITA, the world's leading specialist in air transport communications and information technology, airlines have "damaged or pilfered" 18% out of 24.8 million bags that were reported as "mishandled," meaning delayed, lost/stolen, or ruined.

So who are the worst offenders? Well, Trifibre, a leading manufacturer of protective cases, found that some airlines are notoriously rougher on baggage than others.

After looking at the data from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), which covers airlines serving the UK, it looks like one international airline soars above others. Out of 823 claims for damaged baggage submitted to airlines between 2015 and 2020, "108 claims of damaged baggage submitted to Ryanair — 13% of claims overall and more than double any other airline."

"Emirates came in second place, after receiving 47 claims for damaged luggage during the same period — 6% of claims overall — while Alitalia was third with 40 claims for damaged baggage — 5% of total claims," Trifibre revealed.

While we can take precautions and only hope the inevitable doesn't happen, it’s best to arm ourselves with knowledge of what happens if your luggage is visibly damaged in flight. We consulted Terry Ward’s article for The Points Guy, where experts weigh in on how to handle these situations.

The number one thing you must do if you see your luggage broken, ripped, or otherwise damaged at the airport, is to report it immediately. But it’s best to make sure you’re aware of the condition your bag was in when you left it at the check-in desk. It’s even better if you have photos to prove it.

Charles Leocha, a chairman of the travel advocacy group Travelers United, explained that things like a lost wheel, a tear in the fabric casing, and a broken zipper are all considered damage. "Take photos of the exterior and the interior and the items packed," Leocha said. "It gives you the proof that your bag was damaged or that something was pilfered or damaged."

Remember to also photograph any dents and bruises if you noticed them after retrieving your bag, you may need them to substantiate your claims. What’s more, airlines often require that baggage tags remain attached to your bags, so take a photo of them before you tear them off.

Douglas Kidd, executive director of the National Association of Airline Passengers, added that passengers should know their rights. "[They] can, and should, file a claim with the airlines for any damages to the bag(s) and their contents," Kidd said. "Be aware, however, that the airlines’ Contract of Carriage may severely limit the extent to which the airline will reimburse a passenger for such damage."

Kidd pointed out that it’s easiest to report the incident at the airport in person, as you have everything documented on-site instead of uploading claim documents online. "Plus, you might be offered a replacement bag on the spot if you're not picky about a new bag."

Keep in mind that how things are handled is going to depend on the airline. Moreover, they may have varying windows of time after your flight when your claim for luggage damage will be considered, so if you notice something after you’ve left the airport, act right away.

When it comes to compensation, it’s for the airline to decide how much, if at all, you’ll get for the inconvenience. Kidd explained that normal wear and tear is not likely to be covered, but you can try to reach out to your bag’s manufacturer directly.

Incidents like this one are sure to make your trip sour, but Kid advised that it’s best to remain calm and collected when communicating with the staff. "A banged-up bag is a bad way to begin or end a trip," Kidd said, "but blasting the baggage claim representative for a missing wheel or hole in your bag isn't going to help your claim or get it resolved more quickly."