(COPENHAGEN, DENMARK) — A technical malfunction at Copenhagen Airport just turned one of travel’s biggest “what ifs” into reality: passengers landed in Phuket without their checked bags.
If you’re flying long-haul out of CPH in the next few days, the smart move is to assume checked luggage could be delayed and pack like you’ll spend your first 48 hours without it.
That’s the immediate lesson from what happened Saturday, January 10, 2026, when a baggage-system disruption at Copenhagen Airport meant checked bags were not loaded on a TUI flight from Copenhagen (CPH) to Phuket (HKT).
Travelers arrived in Thailand with empty baggage carousels and a lot of uncertainty about when their suitcases would catch up.
This story is also a useful decision guide for future trips. Do you book a simple nonstop charter-style flight and check a big bag, or do you choose an airline and itinerary that gives you stronger tracking, better support channels, and a miles-and-status payoff?
Below is how I’d compare your two most realistic approaches for a Copenhagen-to-Phuket trip.
Quick recommendation: Most travelers should choose a “carry-on-first” plan, then pick the airline based on support and miles
If you can travel with carry-on only (or nearly carry-on only), do it—especially during peak weekends and winter sun-season departures.
If you must check a bag, pick the itinerary that gives you the best rebooking and baggage-tracing experience, even if it means a connection.
Side-by-side comparison: Two ways to fly CPH → HKT with less baggage stress
| Factor | Option A: TUI nonstop CPH–HKT (check bag) | Option B: Network airline via a hub (stronger tracking + miles) |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Families and leisure travelers who value nonstop simplicity | Travelers who want more self-service tools and loyalty benefits |
| Baggage risk on a bad day at CPH | Higher impact if bags miss the single departure | Bags can still miss, but more reroute options exist |
| When bags don’t arrive | You file a PIR in Phuket and wait for forwarding | Similar process, often with more tracing touchpoints and agents |
| Communication | Can be limited until bags are scanned into tracing | Often better app updates once the bag is in the system |
| Miles/points | Usually limited or none for many charter-style fares | Earn redeemable miles and status credit in most programs |
| Elite perks that matter | Usually fewer airline-elite levers | Priority check-in, priority tags, bonus miles (varies by airline) |
| Price pattern | Can be sharp in packages and peak holiday blocks | Often pricier, but sales and points redemptions can compete |
| Comfort tradeoff | Nonstop reduces fatigue; cabin varies by aircraft | Connection adds time; long-haul products can be stronger |
You’ll notice I’m not claiming one option prevents lost baggage. This Copenhagen Airport incident was an airport sorting failure. That can hit any airline.
The difference is how well your airline helps you recover.
1) Incident overview: what happened, and why it matters if you’re flying soon
copenhagen airport experienced a sorting-system disruption on the morning of January 10, 2026. The airport described “technical issues affecting the machines that sort baggage to the correct flights.”
The immediate consequence was simple and brutal for passengers: checked luggage did not reach the aircraft in time. On the TUI flight from Copenhagen to Phuket, bags were left behind.
Travelers landed in Phuket without their checked items. That usually means you’re starting your trip in “damage control mode.” You need essentials now, and you need a paper trail for later.
The sequence matters for expectations. When an airport switches from automated sorting to manual handling, delays are rarely measured in minutes. They can stretch across multiple departures, especially during a morning bank of flights.
2) Cause and operational impact: why a sorting failure creates a backlog fast
Modern airports rely on automated conveyors, scanners, and sorters to move thousands of bags per hour. When a technical malfunction hits that chain, bags don’t simply “pause.” They get stranded at earlier points in the system.
Copenhagen Airport’s workaround was to move baggage handling to manual processing. That’s a sensible fallback, but it comes with hard limits.
- Manual handling has lower throughput. Even an excellent team can’t match a functioning automated sorter.
- Prioritization becomes triage. Staff may focus on flights with the nearest cutoffs first.
- Scanning and reconciliation slow down. A bag that isn’t scanned may not show in tracking. That delays updates to the tracing record.
What “forwarded later” usually means in practice is also less glamorous than travelers hope. Bags need to be gathered, re-sorted, matched to flights with space, then handed off to the destination handling team.
Only after that can local delivery start, assuming delivery is offered. You’ll also see a communications gap. Until your bag is scanned into a tracing system, your airline may not be able to tell you much beyond “we’re working on it.”
That’s frustrating, but common during large backlogs.
3) Scope and affected parties: who should worry, and who might not be touched
This incident centered on outbound baggage sorting at Copenhagen Airport. That’s the operation that feeds checked bags from check-in into the correct flight makeup area.
The travelers most likely affected are those on the referenced TUI Copenhagen-to-Phuket service, since the reported problem was bags not being loaded for that departure.
If you were on that flight and checked a bag, the most practical assumption is your luggage may have remained in Copenhagen until it can be forwarded.
Outcomes can vary even on the same flight. Some bags may have been processed earlier and made it onboard. Others may be delayed, and a smaller number can be misrouted during heavy disruption.
Your next best move is to watch for scans and updates, once the tracing record is active.
If you’re flying out of Copenhagen in the near term, pay attention to airport and airline advisories. Also check your flight’s baggage cutoffs and staffing levels at check-in. Those details can shift quickly on disruption days.
4) Traveler guidance and immediate actions: what to do if you land without your bag
If you arrive in Phuket and your bag doesn’t, your priorities are health, documentation, and minimizing back-and-forth later.
Start with your carry-on strategy, even before you fly:
- Keep medications and any medical devices with you.
- Pack one change of clothes and basic toiletries.
- Carry valuables, chargers, and travel documents onboard.
At the airport in Phuket, handle the admin before you leave:
- Go straight to the baggage services desk or handling agent.
- File a Property Irregularity Report (PIR).
- Confirm your phone number, hotel name, and local contact method.
- Keep the PIR reference number and take a photo of it.
After that, keep your spending disciplined. Buy only essentials you can justify later. Save itemized receipts and proof of payment.
Reimbursement decisions often come down to what looks “reasonable” for your situation. This is also where airline choice starts to matter.
Some carriers provide smoother tracing tools in their apps, and some have more responsive service channels. Charter-style operations can be perfectly fine, but the support experience varies.
5) Remedies and next steps for bags: how forwarding and delivery usually works
When an airport says bags will be forwarded on later flights, the usual pathway looks like this:
- Your bag is recovered and re-enters the sorting flow.
- It’s assigned to a later departure with available capacity.
- It arrives in Phuket and is handed to the local baggage handler.
- Delivery is arranged, or you’re asked to pick it up.
Delivery vs. pickup is the big variable. In many tourist destinations, courier delivery is common, especially for delayed bags. But it depends on the airline, the handling contractor, and sometimes your exact address.
Resorts can be easy. Remote villas can be harder.
You can help the process more than you think. Make sure the PIR includes a delivery address you’ll actually be at, dates of stay, plus your room number if you have it, and a phone number that works in Thailand or a WhatsApp number.
If the status doesn’t change for a while, don’t wait passively. Follow up using the PIR reference through the airline’s tracing channel. Also check whether Phuket’s handling agent has a local contact number.
6) Compensation and reimbursement: what’s realistic, and what drives outcomes
Baggage claims depend on whether your bag is delayed, damaged, or lost. Those categories matter because the paperwork and remedies differ.
For international itineraries, baggage delay and damage are commonly handled under the Montreal Convention framework, alongside the carrier’s own policies.
In plain terms, airlines generally reimburse “reasonable” essentials while you’re without your bag. That tends to mean necessities, not a shopping spree.
What improves your odds of a smooth reimbursement:
- A PIR filed promptly.
- Receipts that are itemized and sensible for the destination.
- Proof you actually traveled, like boarding passes and booking confirmation.
- A tracing record showing the bag was delayed.
Don’t expect instant answers. Claims can take weeks, especially when many passengers are affected at once. Also, remember that your travel insurance may step in sooner for essentials, then pursue recovery later.
That can be a lifesaver in a place like Phuket, where you may need items the same day.
Miles and points angle: if you booked a network carrier, you may have extra support via elite lines. If you booked with points, keep screenshots of your ticket and receipts. They help when you’re dealing with multiple departments.
7) What to provide when seeking help: the documentation that speeds everything up
When you contact the airline, the handler, or your insurer, you’re trying to avoid the dreaded “please resend” loop. The fastest claims are the ones that are easy to verify.
Have your identity and trip details ready, exactly as booked. Pair that with the PIR reference and any baggage tag numbers you received at check-in. Those are the keys that let staff find your file quickly.
Receipts matter, but so does proof of payment. A card slip or bank screenshot can close gaps if a receipt photo is blurry. If you have any written statements from the airline or handler, save them.
Screenshots of tracing updates also help. They create a time-stamped record of what you were told.
So which option should you choose for your next Copenhagen-to-Phuket trip?
Choose Option A (TUI nonstop CPH–HKT) if:
- You value a nonstop flight more than anything.
- You’re traveling with kids and want fewer moving parts.
- You can pack critical items in your cabin bag, even if you check one.
Choose Option B (network airline via a hub) if:
- You care about miles, status credit, and elite support channels.
- You want better self-service tracing and more rerouting options.
- You’re willing to accept a longer travel day to reduce disruption pain.
A sorting failure at Copenhagen Airport can hit anyone. The best defense is packing discipline and fast paperwork when things go sideways.
If you’re flying out of CPH this week, treat your carry-on like it’s your only bag, and file that PIR in Phuket before you leave the arrivals hall.
A baggage system failure at Copenhagen Airport caused significant disruptions, leaving Phuket-bound travelers without their luggage. The incident highlights the risks of automated sorting malfunctions and the necessity of carrying essentials in cabin bags. Passengers are advised to choose airlines based on support capabilities and to document all expenses for reimbursement under the Montreal Convention while waiting for forwarded bags to arrive via courier.
