TAMPA BAY, Fla. — The U.S. Department of Transportation’s newest report discovered there have been over 200,000 claims of misplaced or broken luggage amongst the high 10 U.S. carriers, and that was solely in May 2022.
In the case of Marianne Bazazian and her sister, the two arrived in Scotland for their 18-day trip, however their baggage didn’t. The suitcases have been left behind at JFK International Airport in New York.
Bazazian stated that after their Aer Lingus flight took off, the captain introduced that whereas the baggage would not be loaded onto the aircraft, it might nonetheless observe them to Edinburgh.
The sisters waited days, however their luggage by no means arrived in Scotland. Bazazian’s receipts confirmed she spent over $400 on garments and private objects to make it via the journey.
“It was very disheartening,” she stated. “We were so disappointed.”
Suzanne Morrow, a journey insurance coverage knowledgeable, stated sure insurance policies cowl misplaced baggage. By legislation, airways are on the hook for $3,800 concerning misplaced baggage on home flights, however the most for worldwide flights is $1,780. Most airways, nevertheless, cowl the value of shopping for garments or private objects.
“You would file with a common carrier, in this case, an airline first, and then you would go to the insurance if you were not made whole,” Morrow stated.
Passengers who will not be reimbursed for misplaced luggage can file a grievance with the U.S. Department of Transportation, however Bazazian claimed she known as and emailed Aer Lingus for a month with out success.
When ABC Action News contacted the airline, the firm responded in an e mail, stating:
“Regrettably, our airline is being impacted by widespread disruption and resource challenges across the sector.”
Aer Lingus additionally talked about they have been working exhausting to beat the challenges and enhance customer support.
Bazazian stated Aer Lingus known as her inside days of the e mail and that the airline lastly delivered the suitcase to her Pasco County residence.
“After your help and your phone calls and you’re contacting them, suddenly they found it,” she stated.
The firm additionally despatched a examine for $454 to cowl the prices of the objects she had bought.