Easyjet and Ryanair, along with five other airlines, are facing the prospect of new penalties over charges for hand luggage. The two carriers have rebuffed claims of "exploiting" passengers and flouting EU regulations regarding cabin bag policies.
Both Easyjet and Ryanair are in the crosshairs of the European Consumer Organisation (BEUC) and its 16 member organisations across 12 nations who have lodged an official grievance with the European Commission, potentially resulting in substantial fines for the seven involved airlines. The BEUC is demanding an "EU-wide investigation" into the practice of levying additional fees for carry-on bags. It follows a €179 million sanction imposed on five airways by the Spanish Organisation of Consumers and Users (OCU) last year for "abusive" carry-on luggage rules.
This round includes not just Easyjet and Ryanair but also Norwegian Airlines, French firm Transavia, Hungarian airline Wizzair, and Spanish businesses Volotea and Vueling, all embroiled over their hand luggage policies.
Agustín Reyna, Director General of BEUC, remarked: "Haven't we all experienced the fear of our hand baggage not fitting in the airline's sizers and being charged extra fees? Today we are taking action against seven airlines who are exploiting consumers and are ignoring the EU top court who ruled that charging reasonably sized hand baggage is illegal.
"This was confirmed by recent fines in Spain which made clear that passengers can bring their reasonably sized hand baggage onboard at no additional cost. In addition to our European action, the ongoing revision of the Air Passenger Rights regulation is the perfect opportunity for the EU to clarify what services should be included in the basic ticket price.
"Our data shows that consumers expect to see a small item and a piece of hand luggage when buying basic tickets. Policymakers should also define hand luggage's 'reasonable size and weight' to avoid surprises at the airport and ultimately reduce the number of disputes costing consumers and airlines time and money."
BEUC has pointed out alleged underhand tactics employed by certain airlines. They cite how EasyJet "imposes fees varying on the route selected, flight and time of booking".
These fees start from a modest £5.99, but the 'airport bag fee' charged directly at the airport skyrockets to £48. BEUC has also drawn attention to Ryanair's fluctuating baggage fees, which depend on the route and travel dates.
The costs range between £6 to £36 if booked in advance, but soar up to £20 to £60 if handled at the airport. BEUC asserts that a vast number of passengers who flew with these airlines in 2024 could have been impacted.
A spokesperson for Ryanair has stated that the airline "welcomes the filing of this complaint", asserting it will "confirm" its baggage policy "fully complies with EU law". The spokesperson further elaborated: "Ryanair allows each passenger to carry a generous (40 x 25 x 20 cm) personal bag on board free as part of its basic air fare, with the option to add extra bags for an optional fee should they so wish. This policy promotes both low fares and consumer choice."
"If airlines were forced to include additional carry-on bags as part of the basic fare, it would reduce choice and drive-up air fares for all passengers, which would harm consumers."
Ryanair also took a swipe at BEUC over its dealings with online travel agencies (OTAs), adding: "If BEUC is genuinely concerned about consumers being "exploited", then why does it continue to ignore the rampant consumer harm being caused by overcharging OTAs, who continue to induce unsuspecting consumers into paying unjustified hidden mark-ups for flights and ancillary products that cost much less when booked directly on airlines' websites?".
The spokesperson suggested that "Outlawing these harmful OTA overcharges and enforcing transparency in OTA pricing would be a much better use of BEUC and its members' resources."
A Norwegian Air spokesperson asserted: "Norwegian is committed to offering safe and affordable travel, and our baggage policy reflects this. We believe we are in compliance with EU regulations and the policy is transparent and essential for managing weight and limited space on board, ensuring passenger safety, and also maintaining punctuality.
"Our customers have shown that they appreciate not having to pay for extra baggage when they don't need it. Customers travelling with Norwegian can bring a bag from the duty-free shop in addition to their hand luggage on board the aircraft."
The airline alliance Airlines 4 Europe, representing major European carriers like EasyJet, Norwegian, Ryanair, and Volotea issued a joint statement. A spokesperson declared: "All airlines let travellers bring one personal item as part of their fare, in line with the Vueling Ruling of the Court of Justice of the EU (CJEU).
"A 2024 Eurobarometer survey indicates that 90% of passengers are well informed of the size and weight limits of the luggage included in their ticket. The action brought about today by consumer groups could potentially reduce consumer options and force every traveller to pay for additional services they might not require.
"The CJEU expressly acknowledges the value of unbundling services and how this allows passengers to choose the exact services that best suits their needs. The decision of the Spanish Consumer Protection Agency on cabin bags is currently under appeal and the European Commission is looking into whether it complies with EU law.
"Making cabin bags mandatory would force up to 50 million passengers in Spain alone to pay for something they do not want."
Furthermore, the Spanish Airline Association (ALA), which represents Vueling among others, claims charging for baggage in the cabin is "perfectly legal". A spokesperson added: "This practice allows passengers to pay only for the services they need, giving consumers the ability to choose based on their travel needs.
"In fact, this was the option chosen by just over 50 million passengers in 2024, who traveled without a trolley. If this practice were banned, these 50 million passengers would have to pay for a service they don't require , increasing their travel costs.
"It should be noted that airlines are currently already working with European authorities on standardising the dimensions of luggage. It should be noted that the Ministry of Consumer Affairs' ruling, which fines some airlines €179 million for charging for cabin baggage and seeks to impose an end to this practice, is being appealed by the affected airlines.
"Therefore, there is no final decision on the matter until the courts issue a ruling." WizzAir has chosen not to comment on the matter.
