Latest news with #handluggage
Daily Mail
24-05-2025
- Daily Mail
I'm a travel editor - here's everything I ALWAYS pack in my hand luggage
A short-haul flight might be quick, but it can be tricky - not only because you have to lug your hand luggage around the airport with you from check in to landing. But it often means squeezing all of your must-haves into one bag and keeping your liquids to the 100ml rule. As deputy travel editor of MailOnline, I'm constantly jet-setting around the globe. I've recently come back from Basel, where I watched Eurovision, and am heading back to Switzerland in July for the EUFA Women's EURO. I'm also going to Croatia, Amsterdam, Italy and the Caribbean later this year. This globetrotting lifestyle has meant I've got a whole heap of travel essentials I pack in my hand luggage - to ensure make the journey easier and to make sure I'm keep to the latest rules and restrictions. My bag includes beauty buys that keep my skin hydrated, and Amazon products to ensure I stay restful on early morning flights. You're definitely going to want to take a leaf out of my luggage next time you holiday... MailOnline's deputy travel editor, Hayley Minn (pictured at the Basel Munster, Switzerland) reveals her hand luggage essentials ALPAKA Flow Satchel I always need a cross-body bag too when using my hand luggage in the airport - purely for easy access to my passport. This ALPAKA satchel is a great size, with loads of pockets - and a space for my water bottle. £59-75 Shop MyHalos 100% Blackout Sleep Mask I bought this blackout eye mask for a long-haul flight originally, and it's so good I use it in bed every night now, and my sleep has got so much better. Designed to prevent pressure on your eyes, this 3D sleep mask is perfect for sensitive eyes or those with lash extensions. Made from premium memory foam and soft, breathable material, it offers superior comfort and light-blocking ability. £9.99 Shop Universal Travel Adapter Worldwide, International Travel Plug Adapter With USB C A travel adapter is an absolute must if you're going abroad, and I always leave this one in my suitcase so I never forget to pack it. It fits any plug sockets around the world, and also has two USB ports, a slot for USB-C cables, and built-in USB-C cable, so you can charge five different devices at the same time. £23.99 Shop UGREEN Bluetooth Adapter The free headphones given out on planes are nearly always worse quality than the ones I bring with me. But with no Bluetooth capabilities, there's no way of using them to watch a movie on long-haul flights. This Bluetooth transmitter has fixed that and simply plugs into the AUX port. What's even better is it connects to two devices at the same time, so when my partner and I want to watch the same film together on a flight, we no longer have to do it by pressing play at exactly the same time! £12.99 Shop Tile Mate by Life360 Throughout my life I've been told I'd 'lose my head if it weren't screwed on', and have been known to leave my suitcase on the train, my passport on the plane and my purse on the bar. I really would be lost without tile Mates, which I've attached to my keys and added one to my suitcase. The Bluetooth trackers are the ideal solution for scatterbrains, and also for safety if you're solo travelling, so friends and family can know your whereabouts. £27.99 Shop trtl Travel Pillow I was so skeptical about trtl pillows for years, having seen the pictures of people looking a bit silly using them on planes. But I'm officially a convert - they're the comfiest thing, and, together with my eye mask, I can finally sleep on the plane and don't even need a window seat. £45.99 Shop Portable Foot Hammock At 5"1, I have very little legs, and struggle to reach the footrest on planes, let alone the floor. This portable foot hammock hangs from the tray table in front, and makes it so much easier to get comfy - even in economy. It also comes in a little bag, which fits easily into any suitcase or backpack. £4.99 Shop INSFIT 17-Pack Silicone Travel Bottles Set This travel bottle set has been an absolute gamechanger for me when it comes to travelling with hand luggage only. The TSA-approved clear case comes with 17 containers, ranging in size, that you can decant all your lotions and potions in to using the included funnel. It even comes with a brush for cleaning, as well as waterproof sticker labels so you don't mix up your shampoo with your moisturiser! £9.99 Shop Le Creuset Bottle I take a water bottle wherever I'm going, as it means I don't have to keep asking the crew for another tiny cup of water on a flight. This one from Le Creuset keeps my water cold all day - especially when I add some ice to it when I leave the house. £35-40 Shop MAC IN A SAC Synergy Jacket The problem with travelling from cold and miserable UK to hot and sunny destinations is needing to pack a bulky coat in your suitcase and never take it out once you're at the hotel. But Mac in a Sac has the answer - with insulated jackets that pack away into a tiny bag. I have this Synergy jacket in ivory, and it's so warm and so easy to pack into my hand luggage once I no longer need it. £59.99 Shop Klearlook 4 in 1 Adjustable Phone Stand The worst thing about short-haul flights is the lack of screen - and having to hold your phone for an entire movie can be frustrating. Thankfully, this phone stand - which works with all phones - can mount onto luggage handles or tray tables with a clamp. It also easily rotates 360 degrees, so I use it to make hands-free video calls too when I'm waiting for my flight in the airport. £9.99 Shop Loop Switch 2 Earplugs are a must to get some sleep on the plane - and Loop Switch 2 are perfect for wearing constantly, with three different volume modes. It means I can use them to nap on the flight, and also to wear in the clubs in Ibiza to stop myself getting tinnitus. The earplugs have just come out in a gorgeous new McClaren Papaya colour (pictured), having partnered with the racing brand. £59.95 Shop Anker Nano Power Bank Power banks are a must for long journeys, as there's not always an available plug socket nearby - although most long-haul flights now do have USB ports to charge your phone. I love Anker's Nano Power Bank, as it's so small, and doesn't have a need for wires. £19.98 Shop SOUNDPEATS PearlClip Pro Earbuds These Bluetooth earbuds have great sound quality, and provide six hours of playtime, with an additional 18 from the charging case - plenty for a long-haul journey. The ear-cuff design is so unusual - and really comfortable. £40 Shop INSTAX mini 41 camera I always bring my Instax camera with me on my travels, as the instant photos are such a cute way of marking each trip. The camera always goes down a treat with friends - and is so easy to use. £94.99 Shop Amazon Kindle I was always a paperback book purist until I got my Kindle. It really is a game-changer for reading, purely for the amount of space it saves in your bag, rather than having to carry around three heavy books, which often end up getting soggy and damaged. £94.99 Shop Curel Deep Moisture Spray Mini The air on planes can get so dry, so I always pack this moisture spray with me for the flight. You just need one spritz of it and your skin will feel so much more moisturised. It's so refreshing too to use when you're sat by the pool in the baking hot sun. £12.50 Shop Boots Berry Lip Sleep Mask Getting off a plane, my lips can end up feeling so dry and sore. But I put this sleep mask on it, and it sucks the moisture back in. £4.50 Shop
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Hand luggage fees could soon be banned. We have the Spanish to thank
Last week, a court in Spain's 31st biggest city issued Ryanair a €147 (£124) fine. Small fry, for a multi-billion euro business, I know. But the ruling could have wide-reaching ramifications for both airlines and passengers, and could even spell the beginning of the end for hand luggage fees. The court in Salamanca ordered Ryanair to reimburse a passenger for hand luggage charges paid over five flights between 2019 and 2024. The passenger travelled with a standard small suitcase that was larger than Ryanair's free hand luggage allowance, but small enough to take on board. According to Ryanair's rules, the passenger was correctly charged to bring the case on the flight. But according to the Salamanca judge, hand luggage is an essential and indispensable element of air transport and, therefore, the airline was ordered to issue a refund plus interest and costs. There are a number of different legal considerations in the mix here. In 2014, a European Union court said hand luggage 'must, in principle, be considered an indispensable element of passenger transport and that its carriage cannot, therefore, be subject to a price supplement.' This is supported by Article 97 of Spain's Air Navigation Law, which says airlines are 'obliged to transport not only the passenger, but also, and without charging anything for it, the objects and hand luggage that they carry' with them. But on the flip side, many airlines and Spain's Airline Association says that charging for hand luggage is legal under EU law. This €147 fine might seem quibbly and irrelevant to your summer holiday plans. But the Salamanca case sets a legal precedent that could spell more court cases for low-cost airlines, potentially even in the UK, and the ultimate end of hand luggage charges for passengers. The Salamanca case is the latest chapter in an emerging war between Spanish lawmakers and low-cost airlines. In October 2024, Spain's Ministry of Consumer Affairs fined five low-cost airlines a total of €179m (£149m) for hidden fees. Ryanair faced the biggest fine of €108m (£90m), while easyJet received a penalty of €29m (£24m). Vueling, Volotea and Norwegian were also fined. The Salamanca case was backed by the Spanish consumer rights group, Facua, and marked their fifth success in battling Ryanair and Vueling over hand luggage fees. In a similar 2025 case in San Sebastian, Vueling were ordered to refund a passenger €11. After the latest Salamanca case, lawyer Isaac Guijarro said it was a 'huge win for travellers everywhere. It shows Ryanair can't get away with treating passengers like walking ATMs.' The drip fees have, indeed, ramped up in recent years. In November 2018, Wizz and Ryanair began charging passengers to bring a large cabin bag on board. Only a laptop bag or small backpack, small enough to fit under a seat, could be carried on for free. EasyJet followed suit in December 2020. These days, low-cost airlines make the bulk of their profits from ancillary sales; in 2023, Ryanair made €4.2bn through things like luggage extras, seat selection and speedy boarding. Some legacy airlines are at it, too. At least seven – United, Air Canada, Finnair, Sas, KM Malta Airlines, Latam and Avianca – now offer only a limited cabin bag allowance at their cheapest rate. But is a reversal now on the cards? While the add-on fee structure feels relatively entrenched in aviation, lawyers say this could change after the Salamanca ruling. Daniel Scognamiglio of the law firm Blake Morgan told The Telegraph: 'This will have consequences for all airlines flying to and from Spain and possibly other EU destinations as well. 'It was a small claims process, so the authority of the judgment could be brought into question, but it does show how courts are likely to deal with this issue and the judgment is going to be persuasive.' 'The judgment is likely to cause further difficulties for an airline not being completely transparent in its charges. It is also likely that passengers in the UK and elsewhere may well challenge charges for taking hand luggage on board a flight,' Scognamiglio added. In the event that Ryanair and other low-cost airlines do end up scrapping their additional luggage fees, this would not necessarily be a 'huge win' for all travellers. A clampdown on cabin luggage fees would almost certainly lead to return to higher base-line fares as airlines look to make up for lost revenue. So a 'loss', in fact, for air passengers who travel light or who usually just pay for a bigger bag in the hold. This, on top of Ryanair's impending fare rises announced this week, could make low-cost airlines feel less low-cost than before. But that's all hypothetical for now, because Ryanair remains bullish. In response to the ruling, a spokesperson for Ryanair said: 'Ryanair allows each passenger to carry a generous (40 x 25 x 20 cm) personal bag on board as part of the basic air fare, with the option to add extra bags for an optional fee should they so wish. 'This policy promotes both low fares and consumer choice, and is fully compliant with EU law, as upheld by several recent Spanish court rulings, including in Coruña, Segovia, Ontinyent, Seville, and Madrid.' Ryanair may be unwavering, but I suspect that Spanish air passengers, Facua and, who knows, maybe even some disgruntled, litigiously minded British holidaymakers, will be emboldened by what happened in Salamanca this month. The battle for the wheelie bag has only just begun. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Telegraph
22-05-2025
- Business
- Telegraph
Hand luggage fees could soon be banned. We have the Spanish to thank
Last week, a court in Spain's 31st biggest city issued Ryanair a €147 (£124) fine. Small fry, for a multi-billion euro business, I know. But the ruling could have wide-reaching ramifications for both airlines and passengers, and could even spell the beginning of the end for hand luggage fees. The court in Salamanca ordered Ryanair to reimburse a passenger for hand luggage charges paid over five flights between 2019 and 2024. The passenger travelled with a standard small suitcase that was larger than Ryanair's free hand luggage allowance, but small enough to take on board. According to Ryanair's rules, the passenger was correctly charged to bring the case on the flight. But according to the Salamanca judge, hand luggage is an essential and indispensable element of air transport and, therefore, the airline was ordered to issue a refund plus interest and costs. There are a number of different legal considerations in the mix here. In 2014, a European Union court said hand luggage 'must, in principle, be considered an indispensable element of passenger transport and that its carriage cannot, therefore, be subject to a price supplement.' This is supported by Article 97 of Spain's Air Navigation Law, which says airlines are 'obliged to transport not only the passenger, but also, and without charging anything for it, the objects and hand luggage that they carry' with them. But on the flip side, many airlines and Spain's Airline Association says that charging for hand luggage is legal under EU law. This €147 fine might seem quibbly and irrelevant to your summer holiday plans. But the Salamanca case sets a legal precedent that could spell more court cases for low-cost airlines, potentially even in the UK, and the ultimate end of hand luggage charges for passengers. Spanish courts vs low-cost airlines The Salamanca case is the latest chapter in an emerging war between Spanish lawmakers and low-cost airlines. In October 2024, Spain's Ministry of Consumer Affairs fined five low-cost airlines a total of €179m (£149m) for hidden fees. Ryanair faced the biggest fine of €108m (£90m), while easyJet received a penalty of €29m (£24m). Vueling, Volotea and Norwegian were also fined. The Salamanca case was backed by the Spanish consumer rights group, Facua, and marked their fifth success in battling Ryanair and Vueling over hand luggage fees. In a similar 2025 case in San Sebastian, Vueling were ordered to refund a passenger €11. After the latest Salamanca case, lawyer Isaac Guijarro said it was a 'huge win for travellers everywhere. It shows Ryanair can't get away with treating passengers like walking ATMs.' The drip fees have, indeed, ramped up in recent years. In November 2018, Wizz and Ryanair began charging passengers to bring a large cabin bag on board. Only a laptop bag or small backpack, small enough to fit under a seat, could be carried on for free. EasyJet followed suit in December 2020. These days, low-cost airlines make the bulk of their profits from ancillary sales; in 2023, Ryanair made €4.2bn through things like luggage extras, seat selection and speedy boarding. Some legacy airlines are at it, too. At least seven – United, Air Canada, Finnair, Sas, KM Malta Airlines, Latam and Avianca – now offer only a limited cabin bag allowance at their cheapest rate. But is a reversal now on the cards? A legal precedent While the add-on fee structure feels relatively entrenched in aviation, lawyers say this could change after the Salamanca ruling. Daniel Scognamiglio of the law firm Blake Morgan told The Telegraph: 'This will have consequences for all airlines flying to and from Spain and possibly other EU destinations as well. 'It was a small claims process, so the authority of the judgment could be brought into question, but it does show how courts are likely to deal with this issue and the judgment is going to be persuasive.' 'The judgment is likely to cause further difficulties for an airline not being completely transparent in its charges. It is also likely that passengers in the UK and elsewhere may well challenge charges for taking hand luggage on board a flight,' Scognamiglio added. In the event that Ryanair and other low-cost airlines do end up scrapping their additional luggage fees, this would not necessarily be a 'huge win' for all travellers. A clampdown on cabin luggage fees would almost certainly lead to return to higher base-line fares as airlines look to make up for lost revenue. So a 'loss', in fact, for air passengers who travel light or who usually just pay for a bigger bag in the hold. This, on top of Ryanair's impending fare rises announced this week, could make low-cost airlines feel less low-cost than before. But that's all hypothetical for now, because Ryanair remains bullish. In response to the ruling, a spokesperson for Ryanair said: 'Ryanair allows each passenger to carry a generous (40 x 25 x 20 cm) personal bag on board as part of the basic air fare, with the option to add extra bags for an optional fee should they so wish. 'This policy promotes both low fares and consumer choice, and is fully compliant with EU law, as upheld by several recent Spanish court rulings, including in Coruña, Segovia, Ontinyent, Seville, and Madrid.' Ryanair may be unwavering, but I suspect that Spanish air passengers, Facua and, who knows, maybe even some disgruntled, litigiously minded British holidaymakers, will be emboldened by what happened in Salamanca this month. The battle for the wheelie bag has only just begun.
Daily Mail
19-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE What Ryanair hand luggage court ruling could mean for UK passengers, according to aviation legal expert... and will it lead to pricier air fares?
Ryanair being told to refund a passenger £124 over hand luggage charges could see budget airlines charge a pricier 'all inclusive' fare, an aviation legal expert warned today. A landmark court ruling in Salamanca, Spain, earlier this month decided that hand luggage is an essential part of air travel and should not be subject to extra fees. The passenger involved in the case will be reimbursed £124 (€147) for hand luggage costs charged on five flights between 2019 and 2024 following the judgment. Kevin Bodley, a consultant at Steele Raymond LLP Solicitors, which specialises in aviation law, said the decision has 'potentially significant implications' for English law and air travel policy. He added that the ruling raises the likelihood that airlines in Spain will be forced to change policies to allow all standard sized cabin bags within a standard fare. This could also lead to challenges on the legality of similar fees levied by other airlines, some of whom allow a free small personal bag but charge for larger bags. The Spanish judgment was based on a decision by the European Court of Justice in 2014 in which it was said hand luggage is 'an indispensable element of passenger transport and that its carriage cannot, therefore, be subject to a price supplement'. The passenger's claim was backed by Spanish consumer rights organisation Facua, in the latest case during a long-running battle against budget airlines. The group has now won five rulings in recent months relating to hand luggage, against Ryanair and Vueling. Facua has relied on article 97 of Spain's Air Navigation law which states that airlines are 'obliged to transport not only the passenger, but also, and without charging anything for it, the objects and hand luggage that they carry' with them. What is Ryanair's existing bag policy? All passenger fare types include a small personal bag, which must fit under the seat in front of you. This can be a handbag, laptop bag or backpack, and must measure 40x20x25cm. For those requiring additional baggage allowance, there are further options. You can buy a cabin baggage allowance, allowing you to take a case weighing up 10kg on board with you which must be stored in the overhead locker and measure 55x40x20cm. The price for this is £6 to £36 at the time of booking, or £20 to £60 post-booking or at the airport. You can also buy checked baggage with a maximum of 10kg or 20kg. This must be dropped at the airport check-in desk before security. The 10kg price is £9.49 to £44.99 at the time of booking, or £23.99 to £44.99 post-booking or at the airport. The 20kg bag cost is £18.99 to £59.99 at the time of booking, or £39.99 to£59.99 at the airport. Customers who bring an oversized bag (over 55x40x20cm) to the gate must check it in upon payment of a fee of £70-£75. Mr Bodley believes the rulings could now encourage passengers to challenge similar fees in English courts, potentially leading to a change in the law or airline policies and terms of carriage. He told MailOnline: 'The core issue is whether airlines can justify imposing extra charges for basic passenger entitlements in an attempt to lower headline fares which consumers argue are traditionally included in the ticket price. 'The emphasis in Spain at least appears to be protecting passengers from less transparent additional pricing structures that can lead to unexpected costs.' Mr Bodley said the implications of the rulings were 'not limited to individual refunds' and could 'force airlines to revise their entire pricing strategies, particularly when flying to or from Spain'. He added: 'For budget airlines, which often rely on unbundled pricing models where most service elements carry additional costs, this represents a significant regulatory challenge to carriers' practices. 'The issues are financially significant and crucial to their business and are unlikely to be surrendered without a fight.' Consumer groups believe airlines are trying to 'maximise revenue at the expense of clarity and fairness', Mr Bodley said, adding that the decisions 'could force budget airlines to become more transparent in their marketing and pricing'. He also said: 'As more passengers become aware of their rights and are willing to challenge questionable charges, airlines may need to reassess what services are considered 'optional' versus those that are part of the basic travel experience.' Mr Bodley said Spain's Ministry of Consumer Affairs has spent years ramping up oversight of airline pricing practices, particularly among budget operators. And he added: 'For passengers, these rulings help to create a clearer understanding of passenger rights and possibly a judicial trend. 'Those who have been historically paid similar extra charges may now be encouraged to demand reimbursements or take legal action. The jurisprudence of the Spanish courts suggest a willingness to look favourably on such claims. 'Airlines operating in or out of Spain may now be forced to adopt clearer charge structures and more consumer-friendly policies, or further legal repercussions and reputational damage.' Mr Bodley described the latest ruling as a 'pivotal moment in the ongoing battle between budget airlines and passenger rights advocates'. He concluded: 'By confirming that hand luggage is an essential component of air travel and should not incur extra charges, the court has delivered a clear message against hidden airline fees. 'This verdict not only benefits the individual passenger but also sets a legal precedent forcing airlines to alter pricing structures throughout Spain and potentially influence broader European air travel policies.' While the Spanish judgment does not directly apply in English law and is not binding in the UK, he believes it could 'influence legal reasoning and consumer rights discussions in the UK and may be regarded by the courts as being of 'persuasive authority' as justification for applying it'. Mr Bodley said: 'The consequences of the decision, and any future litigation or regulation, could result on changes in airline terms of carriage. 'If so, this may also lead to increasing passenger charges if a single 'all inclusive' fare price is mandated. Perhaps that might also create a 'fare wars' from which consumers might benefit.' However, the decision itself may also be open to challenge by the airlines. Although the ruling claims to be based on the 2014 decision of the European Court of Justice, there is a counter-argument claiming it actually breaches that decision and ignores the 'supremacy principle' of EU law. This principle is that when the domestic law of a member state conflicts with EU law, it is EU law that takes priority. If that was to be the case, the latest ruling would be unlawful and of no effect. As for Ryanair, the airline has insisted its policy is legal in Spain and has pointed to various different rulings at courts in the country that it says have confirmed this. A Ryanair spokesperson said: 'Ryanair allows each passenger to carry a generous (40x25x20cm) personal bag on board as part of the basic air fare, with the option to add extra bags for an optional fee should they so wish. 'This policy promotes both low fares and consumer choice, and is fully compliant with EU law, as upheld by several recent Spanish court rulings, including in Coruña, Segovia, Ontinyent, Seville, and Madrid.' Other airlines and Spain's Airline Association also believe that charging for hand luggage is legal under EU law. The law states that: 'Community air carriers and, on the basis of reciprocity, air carriers of third countries shall freely set air fares and air rates for intra-community air services.' Separately, Ryanair said today that it had seen annual earnings tumble 16 per cent after slashing air fares to help boost demand, but revealed prices are to rise as it seeks to return to growth. The budget carrier reported pre-tax profits of €1.78billion (£1.5billion) for the year to March 31, down from €2.13billion (£1.79billion) after average fares fell 7 per cent. Profits after tax were also 16 per cent lower at €1.61billion (£1.35billion). Passenger numbers grew 9 per cent to 200.2million in the year, but the group said it expects growth of just 3 per cent in 2025-26 due to delayed deliveries of Boeing aircraft.
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Yahoo
Ryanair ordered to make hand luggage change in 'huge win for passengers'
Ryanair has been ordered to refund a passenger £124 after a court ruled hand luggage is essential and should not incur extra fees. The passenger will be reimbursed for hand luggage costs charged on five flights between 2019 and 2024 following the judgement at a Salamanca court that their bags should not have incurred additional fees. The judge based her decision on a 2014 decision by a top European Union court which stated that hand luggage 'must, in principle, be considered an indispensable element of passenger transport and that its carriage cannot, therefore, be subject to a price supplement.' The passenger's claim was backed by Spanish consumer rights organisation Facua. Spanish lawyer Isaac Guijarro, who represented passengers, said of the ruling at the time that it was a 'huge win for travellers everywhere.' READ MORE: HMRC issues warning to 'everyone' in a UK household over five-minute form READ MORE: Aldi issues important statement over food safety concerns READ MORE Met Office warns drastic UK weather shift is coming 'if you were wondering' Guijarro said: "It shows Ryanair can't get away with treating passengers like walking ATMs." Article 97 of Spain's Air Navigation law explains airlines are "obliged to transport not only the passenger, but also, and without charging anything for it, the objects and hand luggage that they carry" with them. "They can only deny boarding of these items for security reasons, linked to the weight or size of the object, but in this case they were typical cabin suitcases' that did not exceed 55x35x25cm," he explained. One passenger reacted on social media: "Good. Ryanair destroyed UK local airline Flybe during Covid when our then government refused to support Flybe because Ryanair complained. Ryanair is a horrid airline in every sense. I will never fly with them." A second said: "I can never forgive Ryanair who abandoned its passengers in Gran canaria when the Icelandic volcano erupted 2010. No help, nothing just smirks from staff. It took a court case to get our money back." "Easy to get round the charge at check-in and then cancel the transaction at the lounge just before you about to board the flight., you might have to to phone your bank if you don't have an online account by the way," another said. Another typed: "That's exactly what I did, and they didn't have any bands for the bag and therefore couldn't give me a receipt, I politely said I'll wait, and the plane missed its take off window, and I know the costs of that, the juice in my case, wasn't worth the squeezing for them."
