Overcharged cabin baggage: seven airlines sued for “illegal business practices”

Among the many stresses and unexpected costs caused by a trip through an airport has been the size of hand luggage for several years . Some airlines have decided to reduce the authorized sizes, and "cabin suitcases" are becoming too large to be allowed free of charge in the cabins. This Wednesday, May 21, around fifteen consumer associations, including UFC-Que Choisir and CLCV (the National Association of Consumers and Users) for France, are suing seven airlines. The following are targeted by this complaint to the DGCCRF and the European Commission: Easyjet, Norwegian, Ryanair , Transavia, Volotea, Vueling, Wizzair.

UFC-Que Choisir lists a few examples. "For so-called large hand luggage," Easyjet charges nearly 43 euros, Volotea 23 euros per trip, Ryanair 36 euros... The latter's baggage policy states, according to the association, "that the prices applied vary according to the distance of the flight" ... "Above all, the dimensions of " small" or "large" baggage allowed on board are particularly heterogeneous from one company to another," continues UFC-Que Choisir. And some airlines do not hesitate to charge unfortunate passengers whose baggage does not respect their dimensions, fees that can amount to 280 euros (Vueling baggage policy)."

These practices are flourishing for airlines. According to a survey published by Corriere della Serra last week, travelers will have spent more than 10 billion euros in 2024 "to take a piece of wheeled luggage on board low-cost flights in Europe in addition to a backpack or handbag." The Italian newspaper estimates that 120 pieces of hand luggage carried on a flight cost the company an extra 156 euros in kerosene. In front, the sale of these options, for a fee an average of 25 euros per traveler, would bring in 3,000 euros for the company, or a net profit of 2,844 euros per flight.

Corriere della Serra added: "Not only is it the largest source of revenue among companies' paid services, but it is also one of the items with the highest profit margins in the sector. […] And this does not take into account the revenue recorded from payment at the boarding gate after undergoing additional checks."

The consumer associations are therefore calling on the Commission and national institutions responsible for consumer affairs and fraud "to intervene so that an investigation is carried out at EU level and that the airlines' illegal commercial practices are punished." They are relying on case law from the Court of Justice of the EU, which ruled in 2014 that "the carriage of hand baggage cannot be subject to a price surcharge, provided that it meets reasonable requirements in terms of weight and dimensions and complies with applicable safety requirements." They also point out that in November, Spain imposed a total of €179 million in fines on five airlines (Ryanair, Vueling, EasyJet, Volotea, and Norwegian), accused of abusive practices, particularly in the charging of passengers' hand baggage. The first three were fined 107.7 million, 39.3 million and 29.1 million euros respectively.

Still in Spain, Air Journal reported on Tuesday, May 20, that a court in Salamanca had ordered Ryanair to reimburse a passenger who was charged nearly €150 for hand luggage on five flights between 2019 and 2024. "The ruling emphasizes that hand luggage is essential to air travel and should not be subject to additional charges," the specialist media outlet said.

"This concerted action comes at a time when discussions are currently taking place around the revision of the regulation on air passenger rights," recalls UFC-Que Choisir. "This latter is the ideal opportunity for the EU to clarify the services that should be included in the basic ticket price, and to clarify the rules regarding baggage, in particular the " reasonable size and weight" of hand luggage." Remember that by taking a TGV Inoui from SNCF or a Frecciarossa from Trenialia, in addition to being infinitely less polluting or allowing departure and arrival in the city center, the traveler can take two large suitcases and one piece of hand luggage at no extra charge.