Brussels may ban airlines from charging for carry-on luggage

Times

6 hours ago

We've all been there: rolling, folding and scrunching clothes for a holiday into a tiny bag that'll fit under the seat in front on a plane.
Soon, however, paying more to take a cabin bag that's actually big enough to pack the clothes you need could be a thing of the past.
The European Union is planning to ban airlines from charging extra to take both a 'personal item' — the small under-seat bag — and a one small carry-on wheelie bag.
The wheelie bag would be stowed in the overhead locker and would need to weigh less than 7kg and have maximum dimensions of 100cm (sum of length, width and height).
Members of the European parliament's transport and tourism committee voted to ban airlines charging extra for two bags, in an effort to simplify booking processes, remove so-called drip pricing and save consumers money.
There will now be negotiations with EU member states before a final decision is made on the policy.
Steven Berger, senior legal officer at the European Consumer Organisation, a lobbying group, said: 'Consumers should be allowed to bring both a personal item and hand baggage on board without extra charges.
'This is a basic consumer expectation and it fully aligns with the Court of Justice's ruling that reasonable-sized hand luggage cannot be subject to additional fees.'
Airlines have increasingly adopted a model where basic tickets only include a small rucksack or handbag. Passengers can then pay extra to book a specific seat, bring a wheelie bag on board or check a bag into the hold.
In its half-year results, published last month, easyJet — the UK's biggest airline — said that ancillary revenue in the six months to March 31 was up 7.4 per cent to £978 million from £911 million the year before. Ancillaries include extras such as cabin baggage, priority boarding or food.
Airlines are apoplectic at the proposed change to EU law. While the UK is no longer part of the bloc, the rules would apply on all flights leaving the EU. In order to avoid passenger confusion, carriers would probably need to standardise rules on outbound flights leaving the UK.
Airlines for Europe (A4E), the trade body, accused the EU of depriving travellers of 'their ability to decide what service they want to pay for and, most importantly, what service they don't'.
It warned that flight prices could rise as a result of the plans. 'Forcing a mandatory trolley bag [allowance] strips passengers of that choice and obliges passengers to pay for services they may not want or need,' said Ourania Georgoutsakou, the A4E managing director.
'What's next? Mandatory popcorn and drinks as part of your cinema ticket? The European parliament should let travellers decide what services they want.'
MEPs also voted to strengthen passenger rights when it comes to children. They said airlines should be forced to ensure children under 12 are sitting next to their accompanying adult for no extra charge.
Similarly, they voted that passengers with reduced mobility should be able to travel alongside an accompanying person at no extra cost.