Ryanair Baggage: New Rules & Airline Trend?
Cabin Bag Chaos: New EU Rules, Airline Fights, and the Future of Hand Luggage
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For years, the seemingly simple act of bringing a bag on a plane has been a source of frustration and extra costs for travellers.Now, a potential shake-up of cabin baggage rules in Europe is brewing, pitting airlines against consumer groups and sparking legal battles. Here’s a breakdown of the current situation, the proposed changes, and what it means for your next flight.
The Push for Standardisation & the 2025 Deadline
Airlines within the A4E (Airlines for Europe) group are finally moving towards a unified cabin bag size, aiming to allow frequent flyers to purchase a single piece of luggage acceptable across multiple carriers. This standardisation will be fully implemented by the end of the 2025 summer season. While a specific size hasn’t been universally declared,the goal is simplification for passengers.
However,airlines will retain the discretion to allow larger personal items alongside the standardised cabin bag.This comes amidst growing scrutiny of baggage fees, with many questioning their legality.
Are Hand Baggage fees Illegal? The Consumer Fightback
The debate over cabin bag fees isn’t new. European consumer groups argue that charging for “reasonably sized” hand luggage is unlawful, citing a 2014 ruling by the EU Court of Justice.The ruling stated that hand baggage carriage shouldn’t incur extra charges, provided it meets reasonable weight and dimension requirements.
BEUC, representing 44 consumer organisations, has called on the EU to investigate seven airlines – including Ryanair, easyJet, and Wizz Air – for allegedly “exploiting consumers” through these fees.
Spain has taken the most decisive action,fining five airlines,including Ryanair,a collective €179 million (£150m) for charging for hand luggage and seat reservations. Wizz Air is currently under examination. However, these fines are currently suspended pending judicial review following legal challenges from the airlines.
Proposed New Rules: A Second Free Bag?
Adding another layer to the complexity, the European Parliament’s transport commitee recently voted in favour of granting passengers the right to bring one cabin bag (up to 100cm in total dimensions) and a personal item on board for free. This would apply to all flights within the EU,as well as those arriving and departing from the bloc. The proposal also includes a provision for children under 12 to be seated next to their accompanying passenger without additional cost.
This proposed law requires approval from 55% of EU member states, and negotiations are set to begin this month.
Airline Resistance: Higher Fares on the horizon?
Predictably, the airline industry is strongly opposed to the proposed changes. airlines argue that the cost of allowing a second free bag will inevitably be passed on to all passengers through increased fares.
“Forcing a mandatory trolley bag strips passengers of that choice and obliges passengers to pay for services they may not want or need,” argues Athina Georgoutsakou, representing airline interests. The industry maintains that passengers should have the freedom to choose the services they pay for, and that a one-size-fits-all approach is detrimental to the current, choice-based airline market.
Ryanair’s CEO, michael O’Leary, has dismissed the Spanish fines as the result of a “mad minister” interpreting outdated legislation.