The bags of British Airways passengers were covered in sewage after a pipe burst in Heathrow Terminal 5 baggage hold this week.
About 100 suitcases were affected.
A source told The Sun, "The smell was absolutely foul, as was the mood of the passengers who had to leave without their bags."
It has been suggested the leak could be linked to the terminal being built on a former sludge works.
A spokesman for the airport operator, BAA Heathrow, said, "We appreciate this will be upsetting for passengers. The bags have now been cleaned and are being reunited with their owners."
British Airways also apologised to its passengers for the incident.
