Latest news with #handluggage
The Sun
a day ago
- Business
- The Sun
European airports are finally scrapping strict 100ml liquid rule after nearly 20 years
TWO UK airports have already scrapped the strict liquid rules - and European airports are now following. Earlier this month, Birmingham Airport and Edinburgh Airport confirmed that the strict 100ml restrictions had been scrapped. 3 The first UK airports to do so, it means passengers can take up to two litres of liquids in their hand luggage for the first time in nearly 20 years. And European airports are now following suit. The European Civil Aviation Conference (ECAC) tested the new screening last month, with it now being introduced. Milan Airport has already rolled out the new rules at parts of the airport. The website states: "At Milan Linate and Milan Malpensa Terminal 1, it is once again permitted to carry liquids, aerosols, and gels in individual containers with a maximum capacity of 2 litres, without the need to separate them from hand luggage." It is yet to be rolled out in Terminal 2. Rome has also rolled out the new rules, confirming on the website: "Starting from July 26, 2025, in compliance with new European Commission regulations, the transport of liquids in hand luggage will be allowed in containers with a capacity of up to 2 litres. "Liquid containers with a capacity greater than 2L may be transported in hand luggage only if empty; otherwise, they must be checked in with hold luggage at the check-in desk." Other airports that are likely to follow suit are large hubs such as Amsterdam. But the new CT scanners that allow the liquid rules to be scrapped are extremely expensive. Airport security rule changes London Heathrow is expected to pay a huge £1billion to roll out the new machines. The airport's Chief Executive Thomas Woldbye said the introduction of new machines was slow as they had "as many scanners as all of the British airports put together". But the cost and labour means smaller airports across Europe are unlikely to be scrapping the rules any time soon. It is also not mandatory - so many resist rolling out the machines. 3 Brits are still urged to check the liquid rules before flying from any airport. The strict 100ml liquid rules were rolled out in 2006 after a thwarted terror attack which would use liquid bombs in water bottles. The restrictions were initially scrapped last summer with airports like London City allowing 2 litres of liquids. However, they were reversed just weeks later by the government. The Sun's Head of Travel explains what the liquid changes mean for your holiday The Sun's Head of Travel Lisa Minot has explained how the new scanners will change the way Brits travel through UK airports. "The new generation of CT scanners will be a huge boost to passengers flying out of UK airports. "Laptops and other electronic devices can stay in your luggage and there's no need to stick to the current 100ml liquid restriction that has been in place for the last 18 years. "Eventually, you'll be able to take up to two litres of liquids without having to remove them from your hand luggage. "But it's worth bearing in mind that not all airports across the globe have the equipment. "You may well be able to fly out with liquids over 100ml - but if the airport you fly home from doesn't have them yet you could find yourself coming a cropper. "While we transition over the next couple of years you'll need to make sure you're aware of the arrangements in any airport you fly through." In the meantime, here is the common item packed by families that is being flagged by the new airport scanners. And we've rounded up all of the hand luggage rules for UK airlines. 3
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Daily Mail
Moment Ryanair passenger SOBS after being stopped from boarding plane because her 'hand luggage was too large'
This is the shocking moment a Ryanair passenger sobbed after being stopped from boarding a plane due to her hand luggage being 'too large'. Filmed at Sofia Airport in Bulgaria, the dramatic footage captures a tearful woman who was brought to her knees in distress as she banged on an airport door while pleading with members of security to allow her onto the aircraft. The incident is said to have taken place on Thursday, July 24, with the unnamed female passenger set to travel on a flight from Sofia to Vienna, Austria. A member of 'Border Police' staff angrily gestures to the door, while the woman appears to emotionally plead with him. Shocked passengers waiting to board a bus to the aircraft watched on as the tearful woman hit the doors separating her and the other passengers in despair. Meanwhile, three other members of staff, two of which were also seen adorning jackets titled 'Border Police', appeared to be closely monitoring and discussing the ensuing chaos. Nikolay Stefanov, who witnessed the shocking ordeal and captured the video footage, said that he believed the airline had initially offered the woman to pay extra for her baggage. However, she refused, due to her bag fitting within the sizer. Adding that the situation then 'escalated quickly', he said: 'She was pleading with us not to leave, but we were threatened that the entire flight would be cancelled if we didn't get on the bus, so passengers became frightened and left.' Mr Stafnov also claimed that another passenger, who was standing behind the woman in line, with 'no issues', was removed from the flight. When the confused traveller queried this, a Ryanair staff member was said to have remarked that 'reopening the gate risked the woman trying to get on the bus'. Mr Steafnov added: 'What shocked me most was the utter lack of compassion from the staff member, who looked right through the woman with complete indifference. Even though they could have resolved the problem, they simply refused.' The passenger also claimed that a Ryanair staff member 'deliberately hid his name badge when questioned' and attempted to confiscate a phone from a woman who was recording the incident as it unfolded. Following the shocking event, Bulgaria's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport Grozdan Karadjov has reportedly ordered an inspection of the airport's security cameras, according to Bulgarian news site In a statement provided to NOVA, Mr Karadjov is said to have described the behaviour of ground operator employees captured in the video as 'outrageous', reports. Mr Karadjkov also declared that the main ground operator involved was given the 'highest fine' alongside a 'verbal warning' that he could have his licence revoked were a similar situation to occur in the future. But Goldair Handling Bulgaria, who provide the ground handling services for several flights operating out of Sofia Airport, have insisted that the employee acted 'professionally and without any physical contact with the passenger'. In a statement provided to BNT News, the company said: 'All rules regarding passengers' baggage, its permissible size and the fees payable for baggage are determined solely, entirely and unilaterally by the airlines, and Goldair Handling Bulgaria OOD is solely obliged to monitor compliance with these rules by the airlines. 'This also applies to hand luggage, as Goldair Handling Bulgaria OOD is obliged to monitor the dimensions of this baggage and collect excess baggage fees, which fees are determined by and are entirely for the benefit of the airlines.' The handling company added that in this incident, their employee 'did not violate the rights of a passenger' and also did not 'behave rudely or disrespectfully'. The statement added: 'The employee only complied with the rules and procedures of the airport operator and the airline, indicating the permissible dimensions of the baggage and checking for compliance with them. 'They acted professionally and without any physical contact with the passenger.' Ryanair's hand luggage policy allows for passengers to fly for 'one small personal bag', free of charge. However, it must be sized 40cm x 20cm x 25cm and 'fit under the seat in front of you'. It comes as just last month a British couple vowed they would 'never fly with Ryanair again' after their decision to not pay extra to reserve seats ended up getting them kicked off the flight. But Goldair Handling Bulgaria, who provide the ground handling services for several flights operating out of Sofia Airport, have insisted that the employee acted 'professionally and without any physical contact with the passenger' In a separate incident, Scott McCormick and his girlfriend, Helena Boshwick, both 33, were set to fly from Birmingham Airport on May 1 to Palma de Mallorca, Spain, for a week-long break and gym mentorship event. The couple chose not to reserve seats - which typically costs between £4.50 and £33 per seat - prior to boarding as they 'didn't mind' sitting apart during the two-hour flight. The fitness mentor, from Birmingham, West Midlands, said: 'We checked in the night before and we didn't reserve a seat but you normally just get a random one. 'Me and my partner thought it's not that much of a problem if we're not sitting together for a two-hour flight, we're adults here.' He added: 'We were the first ones at the gate ready for boarding. The lady scanned our boarding passes and told us to step to the side for a second. That moment was a red flag, I thought: "There's something happening here". 'When everyone boarded, she said: "the plane is full, there's only one seat remaining and we will have to reimburse you for the other seat or you'll have to get on the next flight".' The news led to Scott and his girlfriend having a 'meltdown' as they had wanted to catch the same flight and arrive to their destination together. He explained: 'There was no compassion or care whatsoever. After going back and forth we said we're not going to take separate flights and be in separate countries for hours.' Despite the gym owner claiming that Ryanair said they would initially receive a refund for both tickets, when the couple went to the check-in desk again, they were reportedly told they still had to pay for one of the tickets - while Scott claims he never received a refund. According to the holidaymaker, one of the seats had been marked in the system as a cancelled booking, while the other was put down as a missed flight - meaning the pair would be reimbursed for one while the other had to be paid for. The couple reportedly shelled out a further £100 on a new ticket and waited four hours for the next departing flight to Palma. Mr McCormick claims the experience felt like 'discrimination,' and that the couple were singled out because they are 'young' and childfree. Ryanair later shared a response to Scott and Helena's complaints, simply saying: 'Today is a good day to separate couples onboard' Though the pair were assured that a refund would be processed for one of the tickets, Scott claims he has still not received it or heard from Ryanair. He claims the experience felt like 'discrimination,' and that the couple were singled out because they are 'young' and childfree. The fitness fanatic said he will now avoid flying with the airline due to the staff members' 'lack of compassion.' Ryanair later shared a response to Scott and Helena's complaints, simply saying: 'Today is a good day to separate couples onboard.' MailOnline has approached Ryanair, Goldair Handling, Sofia Airport and Grozdan Karadjov for comment.
The Sun
4 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
Full list of UK airline hand luggage rules explained
RYANAIR boss Michael O'Leary said this week he was considering bigger bonuses for staff who identify passengers with oversized bags. And earlier this month, a leaked email showed that staff across major airports in the UK would also receive payments for every bag confiscated from easyJet passengers ahead of boarding. So, how much can you really get away with? Sophie Swiethowski shares everything you need to know about hand-luggage restrictions for Brits' favourite airlines. EASYJET Every passenger is entitled to one free, small carry-on bag that must fit under the seat in front of them. The bag cannot exceed 45 x 36 x 20cm, including handles and wheels, and it must weigh no more than 15kg. EasyJet Plus members and those who have booked an Inclusive Plus fare (which also includes a 23kg checked bag) will be able to take a larger hand luggage bag with them, measuring up to 56 x 45 x 25cm. Anyone else wanting to take a larger carry-on will have to pay £5.99 (or more) in advance of flying. RYANAIR Ryanair has one of the smallest hand luggage allowances on this list. Like easyJet, every passenger is allowed one small, under-the-seat bag for free, measuring no greater than 40 x 20 x 25cm, although there is no specific weight limit. Larger carry-ons, to be stored in overhead lockers, cost from £6 and must not exceed 10kg. The maximum dimensions are 55 x 40 x 20cm. BRITISH AIRWAYS The UK's flag carrier has the most generous allowance of all the airlines listed here. All passengers are entitled to bring a free 'hand bag' to go under the seat. This can measure up to 40 x 30 x 15cm and has a large weight limit of 23kg, the same as checked baggage. Larger carry-ons are also included in the price of your ticket. Overhead bags can measure up to 56 x 45 x 25cm, including wheels and handles, with a weight limit of 23kg. JET2 When it comes to carry-on allowances, Jet2 is undoubtedly the winner of the low-cost airlines. Much like British Airways, customers can bring both a small and large bag on board for free. An under-the-seat bag must not exceed the limit of 40cm x 30cm x 15cm, although there are no weight restrictions. Larger bags can measure up to 56cm x 45cm x 25cm and must weigh no more than 10kg. WIZZ AIR On a par with Ryanair, the maximum dimensions for a free and smaller carry-on bag are 40 x 30 x 20cm and this bag can weigh up to 10kg. Passengers with a larger bag will have to purchase a Wizz Priority ticket if they do not want to incur a charge at the gate. The priority ticket costs from €5 (£4.33) and also includes priority boarding. These overhead-locker bags cannot exceed the weight limit of 10kg and must comply with the maximum dimensions of 55 x 40 x 23cm. 1
Yahoo
17-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Rescue fees, infant charges and group bookings: Which European airline has the highest hidden costs?
Last month, a group of consumer organisations asked the European Commission to conduct an inquiry into what they alleged are unfair hand luggage charges imposed by budget airlines. Fees for carry-on bags can be particularly frustrating when it isn't immediately made clear that it's not included in the initial ticket price. The organisations argued that this makes it difficult for consumers to compare prices or make informed economic decisions. Hand luggage surcharges are not the only hidden extra travellers have to watch out for, however. Recently, financial news site Tradingpedia delved into the myriad ancillary fees and taxes charged by European airlines on top of the basic air fare. Their calculations were based on one-way flights from London to Rome on 21 July, a peak season for this route. Here are the airlines that charge the most. This European airline charges the highest hidden fees With airfares projected to rise by 2.8 per cent this year, flying abroad is set to become even more expensive. While low-cost carriers may appear to offer relief, the reality is often more complex, the new report shows. These surcharges, ranging from seat selection to name-change fees, are not entirely hidden - they are disclosed during the booking process, screen by screen. But they are rarely included in headline prices or promotional adverts for fares, meaning the true cost of a flight only becomes apparent toward the end of the purchase journey. The report found that Wizz Air tops the list with airlines' not-so-obvious fees for a flight, charging a total of £222.75 (€261) for several optional, yet sometimes unavoidable fees. These include £39.50 (€46) for checked baggage, £9.25 (€11) for online booking, and €28 for airport check-in. That said, it is one of the few in the ranking that doesn't charge extra for carry-on luggage. Euronews reached out to Wizz Air for comment. 'We offer a single, simple, and transparent price to our customers, allowing them to explore destinations across our network from as little as £8.99 (€10.55)," a spokesperson said. "As an ultra-low-cost carrier, we allow passengers to choose which services they wish to purchase so that we can offer the most affordable travel opportunities. "These optional add-ons are not required to fly, and we believe that customers should be offered the choice and flexibility to choose the right products for them.' Wizz Air also requested Tradingpedia update its data to more accurately represent the airline's policies and some of the optional add-ons offered, which have now been reflected in this article. Ryanair ranks second, charging its passengers £219.74 (€258) on top of the air fare for the same services. It also charges €25 for hand luggage. Vueling has the third-highest fees at £211.77 (€248) - as well as the highest checked baggage fee in the ranking at €76 - followed by easyJet with £207.26 (€243). In response to a request for comment, a spokesperson at the airline said, "easyJet does not have hidden fees. Our pricing is transparent and easyJet customers only pay for what they want, with a third choosing to pay only for the fare and nothing more." Euronews has also reached out to Ryanair about their ancillary costs. British Airways appears to have the lowest additional fees at only £61.50 (€72). Jet2 has the second-lowest fees at £69.50 (€181) on average, while Norwegian charges £92.26 (€108) in total. Rescue fees, infant charges and group bookings While some of the extra fees and surcharges are avoidable, such as seat selection, in some cases, passengers have no choice but to purchase these 'optional' services. One of these is the group administration fee – it is €10.50 if you fly with Wizz Air, but with easyJet, group bookings are charged €25 per person. Ryanair also has a card payment fee, so you may be charged a percentage of the total transaction if you pay via a credit or debit card. When you fly with an infant (under the age of 2 at the time of the flight), you do not need to purchase a ticket, but there is a mandatory fee. With Wizz Air, it is €32, while with easyJet it is €31, and Jet2 charges you only €23.50. Norwegian, on the other hand, offers infant tickets, which cost 10 per cent of the adult fare plus any airport taxes. Related Is it always cheaper to buy a low-cost airfare? Here are the hidden charges to watch out for Inflation, jet fuel costs and decarbonisation: Here's why airfares are going to continue going up Another fee that seems questionably optional is the so-called rescue fee charged by all airlines when the passenger misses the flight. If you arrive at the airport right before or shortly after takeoff, you can pay the rescue fee, and you will be given a seat on the next flight. Ryanair charges €100 per person, Wizz Air €125, and easyJet €130. Vueling has a rescue fee starting from €105 for international flights, while Jet2's rescue fee is the cheapest at €32. The other airlines also charge a fee, but do not clearly state how much it is on their websites. In some cases, the passenger is required to cancel the booking and rebook another flight at current prices. When all these undisclosed fees are added to the airfare, it often makes low-cost airlines as expensive as full-service carriers (as companies that include ancillary service fees in their ticket prices are known). As the team at Tradingpedia concludes, 'the findings shed light on whether budget airlines are genuinely cost-effective or merely perceived as such.' This article has been updated to reflect revised data from Tradingpedia as requested by Wizz Air. 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Yahoo
17-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
EU to ban airlines from charging extra for hand luggage: What does this mean for passengers?
European Union lawmakers have voted to adopt a proposal that will allow air passengers to bring a personal item into the cabin and a piece of hand luggage of up to seven kilogrammes free of charge. 'Today's vote marks an important step toward fairer and more transparent travel,' Matteo Ricci, vice-president of the EU Committee on Transport and Tourism and the bill's lead sponsor, said in a press release. He added that clearly defined rules for free hand luggage were 'a fundamental right to avoid unjustified extra costs', ensuring a 'fairer and more efficient system'. The measure comes in addition to wider reforms proposed by the European Commission in 2023 on passenger rights. It would require airlines to disclose total flight costs earlier in the booking process and affect compensation rights. Here's how the ruling will affect air passengers and when the changes could come into effect. Air passengers should have right to free carry on luggage Under the new rules, travellers taking a flight in the EU will have the right to carry a personal bag, such as a handbag or rucksack, and a small hand luggage item on board at no extra cost. Personal bags can have maximum dimensions of 40x30x15 centimetres, and hand luggage items will be allowed maximum dimensions of 100cm and a weight of 7kg. Airlines will not be allowed to charge passengers any additional fees for carrying these items. It follows a ruling from more than a decade ago by the European Court of Justice that decreed that the carriage of hand luggage cannot be subject to a surcharge, provided that it meets reasonable requirements in terms of weight and dimensions and complies with the applicable safety requirements. Recently, a group of consumer organisations asked national consumer watchdogs and the European Commission to conduct an inquiry into what they allege are unfair hand luggage charges imposed by budget airlines. The low-cost carriers levy extra charges for luggage they claim is 'oversized' but which should come under the size and weight measurements considered 'reasonable' by the EU, the consumer groups say. Will new hand luggage rules make air fares more expensive? While the vote seems a win for air passengers, a spokesperson for industry association Airlines for Europe (A4E) warned that it could mean paying higher air fares overall, especially those who want to travel light. 'Today's vote on enforcing passenger rights and multimodal passenger rights has seen the Transport Committee (TRAN) finally take action against online freeriding by spelling out the duties and liabilities of every business that sells travel,' the spokesperson said. 'Unfortunately, this is overshadowed by the Committee using this vote to add air travel specific amendments by the backdoor that remove choice from passengers and their ability to decide what services they want to pay for and, most importantly, what service they don't.' More support for vulnerable travellers The vote for hand luggage regulations has been added to the European Commission's 2023 proposal to bolster passenger rights. As part of the proposal, MEPs want to ensure children under 12 years old are seated next to their accompanying passenger free of charge. They also want more protections for passengers with reduced mobility by making sure an accompanying person can travel with them free of charge, and adding a compensation right in case of loss or damage to mobility equipment or injury to an assistance animal. Lawmakers push for clarity around compensation The 2023 draft rules also clarify the role of intermediaries (ticket vendors or retailers) in reimbursing air passengers for cancellations, long delays or denied boarding. MEPs want these companies to inform passengers at the time of booking about the full cost of an air ticket, intermediation or service fees, and the reimbursement process, which should not take longer than 14 days. Should an intermediary fail to respect this deadline, it would be up to the air carrier to process the reimbursement within seven days. Related Are flights to Dubai and Qatar still cancelled? US strikes on Iran add to global travel disruption Flight cancelled to the Middle East? Here are your passenger rights and travel insurance advice Lawmakers also supported the proposal to introduce a common EU-wide form for compensation and reimbursement requests. They want to add a provision tasking air carriers with sending passengers the pre-filled form, or activate alternative automatic communication channels, within 48 hours following a disruption. To get the green light, the various proposals will now go to a vote by the full parliament. This might see modifications made to the rulings as they will need to be negotiated and approved by member states before they can come into force. Solve the daily Crossword
