Newfoundland Woman Shocked After Air Canada Returns Luggage Filled with Strange Items, Missing Valuables

St. John’s, Newfoundland – When Linda Royle opened her carry-on suitcase after it was finally returned by Air Canada, she was horrified to discover that several of her personal belongings were missing — replaced instead by unfamiliar and bizarre items, including two old toiletry kits, a ticket scanner, and even a knife.

Royle, who had a stopover at Toronto Pearson International Airport in late March, said the airline had asked her to check her carry-on. But when she arrived at St. John’s International Airport, both of her bags were missing.

Her checked suitcase was tracked via an Apple AirTag and later returned. The carry-on, however, was still unaccounted for — until a local pharmacy, Lawton’s Drugs on Topsail Road, contacted her days later. Staff had received her suitcase from someone at Pearson Airport’s lost and found, noting that it still contained prescription medication with her name on it.

While initially relieved to get the bag back, Royle said she was shocked upon opening it.

“I flipped it open and unzipped the side and just thought, ‘What?’ I couldn’t believe it,” Royle told CBC News.

Missing Valuables Replaced by Knife, Scanner, Toiletry Kits
Among the missing items, Royle listed shoes, books, medications, and clothing — totaling approximately $950 in value. But what stunned her even more were the unfamiliar replacements inside: two old shaving kits filled with personal hygiene items, a boarding pass from April 2020, and a knife.

She also found a scanner device similar to those used by airline staff to scan boarding passes.

“You feel violated,” Royle said. “Somebody picked through my belongings to see what they wanted.”

She believes the suitcase may have been left unattended at Toronto Pearson for several days, during which someone rummaged through it.

Air Canada Initially Denied Compensation
Royle filed a compensation claim with Air Canada, but it was rejected three months later, citing the lack of receipts for the missing items. In an email reviewed by CBC News, a baggage claims agent explained that claims over $350 require proof of purchase.

“Because you didn’t carry receipts for sandals you bought in 2023 and 2024, they said, ‘Tough,’” Royle said.

Among the stolen items were a pair of pink Crocs gifted by her niece — a sentimental token tied to her sister-in-law’s breast cancer treatment.

Despite the emotional and financial loss, Royle said the only compensation she initially received was a 15% promo code from a baggage agent — a discount for future travel.

Air Canada Reopens Investigation After Media Inquiry
Following inquiries from CBC News, Air Canada re-examined the case and reached out to Royle to finalize her claim. The airline acknowledged in a statement that, while they require receipts for high-value claims over $350, many of Royle’s claimed items were below that threshold and are now being reconsidered for reimbursement.

“Our baggage claims team re-looked at this case and found that the individual items being claimed were under the threshold,” the airline stated.

Travelers Left with Few Alternatives
Royle, like many Canadians, feels limited by the lack of airline options.

“I feel like I have no choice but to fly with Air Canada again,” she said.

Key Takeaways for Air Travelers
Always track luggage with devices like AirTags

Document valuables in your luggage, especially high-value items

Keep receipts when possible, especially for claims over $350

Report any missing or tampered luggage immediately

This bizarre and troubling incident highlights ongoing concerns about luggage security and airline accountability — and how airlines handle customer service in the face of lost or tampered baggage.