**On a Wing and a Tear: Ryanair Passenger Alleges Checked Bag and Belongings Were “Shredded”**
A Ryanair passenger is publicly criticizing the budget airline after allegedly discovering that their checked bag, along with $2,000 worth of belongings, had been completely “shredded,” leaving it looking as if it had been “mauled by a tiger.” The passenger shared their grievance in a Reddit post, aiming to expose the carrier “nationally” after reportedly receiving no response to their claim.
According to the post, which included photos showing the extensive damage, the traveler made the shocking discovery at baggage claim after returning to London, UK, from Nice, France.
The passenger noted their checked bag failed to appear on the conveyor belt during unloading, which initially caused concern that the suitcase had gone “lost somewhere along the way.” They approached the help desk for assistance.
“Luckily, I kept the bag tag receipt, and the kind lady behind the counter was able to see the bag was somewhere in Stansted,” the traveler explained, initially considering this “good news.” The employee advised them to “go look on all the other belts as it may have just been thrown on one of them.”
The Redditor searched the other conveyors but did not find their luggage. Soon after, they received devastating news.
“I couldn’t believe my eyes. She walked over holding all the pieces of my bag, clutching all my stuff in her arms,” the passenger recounted. “My initial reaction was utter shock. It honestly looked like it had been mauled by a tiger.”
The airline staff member shared a similar reaction, continuously apologizing and saying she had never seen such damage before. The woman then emptied the traveler’s belongings to showcase the full extent of the destruction.
“My shoe had been sliced up, shirts looked like they had been burned and ripped up,” the passenger said. “My boxers were shredded. The bag itself was butchered. Cables torn open. My drone controller, smashed to bits.”
Trying to remain calm, the traveler asked about the next steps and was told to fill out a claim form listing every destroyed item and submit it within 48 hours.
As the shredded items spilled out, the airline worker handed the passenger a bin to collect everything so they could transport it to their car. “Like a depressed Father Christmas, I threw the sack of perished items over my shoulder and walked out of the airport,” they recalled.
Despite submitting the claim form along with receipts valuing the damaged items and bag at £1,500 ($1,967.11), the passenger claimed they heard “absolutely nothing” back from Ryanair.
“No one has been in touch, not an apology. Nothing,” they expressed frustration. “It’s absolutely shocking that a company can destroy someone’s personal belongings and take no accountability.”
The traveler said they gave the airline several weeks to respond after sending follow-up emails but still had not received any reply. This led them to threaten to “take my experience online.”
Reddit commenters sympathized with the passenger’s experience, with one writing, “That is some truly stunning damage.”
Others, however, criticized the traveler for using a “soft bag.”
“I can’t see Ryanair not paying you; however, those Rains bags are quite soft and not the most durable,” one user commented. “They may argue you used unsuitable baggage for such expensive items. Just keep that in mind.”
“Looks like it got stuck on the side of a conveyor, then the moving conveyor belt shredded it,” another added. “You can see where the toothbrush, which is hard plastic, has been ground away.”
Several users suggested the passenger pursue compensation through their travel insurance, doubting that Ryanair would reimburse them directly.
According to Ryanair’s luggage policy:
> “Damaged/delayed baggage claims will be processed within 15 working days, while lost baggage claims will be processed within 28 working days or once the full tracing process is complete.”
The airline adds:
> “We will contact you by post or email when there is an update regarding your claim. If you are unhappy with our assessment of your claim, you can contact your local Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) body with your complaint.”
The case highlights the challenges passengers may face when dealing with damaged luggage claims and the importance of understanding airline policies and travel insurance coverage.
https://nypost.com/2025/11/03/lifestyle/passenger-accuses-airline-of-destroying-luggage-causing-2k-in-damage/