Eventually, he found a case within the dimensions EasyJet allows for a free underseat bag – or so he thought.
Stories of passengers caught out by baggage rules they feel are inconsistent or confusing are common, with many customers complaining or seeking clarity from budget airlines on social media.
On Thursday, EU transport ministers proposed standardised sizing for free underseat baggage on EU airlines, among other air travel and passenger rights’ changes – meaning this could become EU law if their position is accepted by the European Parliament.
What could change, or not, for hand baggage?
Currently, Ryanair allows a free carry-on bag of 40x20x25cm, while EasyJet’s dimensions for a free bag are a more generous 45x36x20 cm, including wheels and handles.
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Benjamin Till, equipped with a tape measure, searched multiple stores for the ideal suitcase in an attempt to avoid paying baggage fees for his vacation to Pisa.
He eventually thought he had found a case that fit the dimensions EasyJet offers for a free underseat bag.
Upon his arrival at London Gatwick Airport in December 2023, Mr. Till found that his bag was considered slightly too large because those measurements included wheels.
Despite his protests, he ultimately paid £48 to have the bag on board. He claims that he followed instructions to take off the wheels in order to return.
He was informed at the gate on his way home that the suitcase was still too big, so he sat on the floor and unpacked his souvenirs and filthy underwear into a bin bag.
It was so humiliating that he says, “I don’t mind admitting that I actually burst into tears.”.
According to an EasyJet representative who spoke to the BBC, the airline’s ground crew was required to make sure that non-checked bags were within the maximum dimensions “to safely and securely fit” and that the rules were explained during the booking process.
Stories of travelers being caught off guard by baggage regulations they believe to be unclear or inconsistent are not uncommon, and many consumers use social media to voice their dissatisfaction or ask low-cost airlines for clarification.
The size and weight of an overhead cabin bag or an underseat personal item are subject to change by different airlines, and some even charge passengers to bring the latter.
If passengers violate these regulations, some airlines charge exorbitant fees to stow an oversized cabin bag in the hold or upgrade a free personal item bag to an overhead cabin bag at the airport gate.
Due to passenger confusion, one government has begun to crack down on airlines over bag fees, and the largest consumer group in the EU has called for more equitable and uniform hand luggage regulations.
Now, the EU is considering amending its laws, which would also impact UK citizens flying with EU-based airlines to or from EU destinations.
Among other changes to air travel and passenger rights, EU transport ministers on Thursday proposed standardizing sizing for free underseat baggage on EU airlines. If the European Parliament agrees with their position, this could become EU law.
Budget airlines claim that their baggage policies are legal while maintaining low fares, but they have been under increasing pressure to make changes.
What aspects of hand baggage might change, or not?
According to a proposal by EU transport ministers, each passenger should be allowed one free personal item that is no larger than 40x30x15 cm (including wheels and handles) or that can fit under a plane seat.
These regulations would not apply to third-party airlines, but they would apply to EU-based airlines (like Ryanair, Wizz Air, and EasyJet), including when they transport passengers from a non-EU nation, like the UK, to an EU nation and vice versa.
The new regulations would clarify a ruling from an EU court eleven years ago that said hand baggage should not be charged more if it was “reasonably” sized and weighed, but it did not specify what “reasonable” meant.
The dimensions of EasyJet’s free carry-on bag, including wheels and handles, are more generous at 45x36x20 cm than Ryanair’s 40x20x25 cm limit.
The ministers’ proposal, however, made no mention of whether or not airlines could charge for overhead cabin bags. This means that if their proposal were to become law, the current state of affairs would remain unchanged, and airlines would be able to continue charging for that type of hand baggage, which some Europeans have pushed to stop.
BEUC, the European Consumer Organization, which represents 45 separate consumer organizations from 32 countries, feels that Thursday’s proposals are insufficient and that “charging for reasonably sized hand luggage” is legitimized.
Five airlines were fined €179 million (£150 million) in Spain in November for engaging in “abusive” practices, such as charging for hand luggage. At the time, Spain’s Ministry of Consumer Rights announced plans to outlaw additional fees for carry-on luggage and other regulations.
The airlines had declared their intention to appeal the ruling.
Regarding fees for overheard cabin bags, Ryanair claimed that its policy, which permits one small bag on board for free, fully complies with EU law.
The airline claimed that requiring airlines to include more carry-on bags in the basic fare would hurt customers by limiting their options and raising the cost of airfare for all travelers.
Charges based on baggage “allow passengers to choose the exact services that best suits their needs,” according to industry group Airlines For Europe.
What are the desires of the customers?
Global hand luggage dimensions are necessary, according to consumer expert Jane Hawkes, a travel specialist.
As she tells the BBC, “I don’t really see why it can’t be, and why they can’t come to a voluntary agreement as to what those requirements should be for your baggage.”.
“Clearly, there must be limitations, but a one-size-fits-all strategy would make it much easier for travelers,” she says.
In order “to avoid surprises at the airport and ultimately reduce the number of disputes costing consumers and airlines time and money,” BEUC recommended that policymakers establish what “reasonable” size and weight were.
Because a bag may expand when full and exceed the limit, Ms. Hawkes advises travelers to measure their bag after it has been packed.
“If you have an airline that encompasses [baggage] without you having to pay extra costs to start with, then that might be more of a better option for you,” she continues, adding that customers shouldn’t be influenced solely by the fare price.
There should be a uniform strategy for underseat bags, according to Mr. Till.
He claims that there should be a single size that applies to all airlines, calling it “just really, really unfair and ridiculous.”.
The size of the allowed underseat cabin bags is also criticized by him, stating that “it had taken me so long to find something that was so small because it was such a tiny, tiny size of luggage that you were allowed.”.
He was nevertheless thankful for the cheap airfare and the accommodation in Italy, as “otherwise I wouldn’t be able to come to this beautiful country.”.
