Passengers flying with budget airlines Ryanair, EasyJet and Wizz Air have been issued a warning after a change to baggage rules which could lead to a £40 fine.
An investigation by the BBC’s Rip Off Britain found that the three airlines have slashed their carry-on baggage allowance sizes by as much as 55 percent in just six years.
Ryanair was the largest reduction reported, cutting the maximum suitcase size by 55 percent from 55x40x20cm to just 40x20x25cm, although the Irish airline dismissed the claim as ‘false’.
Wizz Air has also cut its allowance for luggage from 55x40x23cm to just 40x30x25cm, a 52 percent reduction. As of July 20, Wizz Air’s website lists the maximum size as 40x30x20cm, even smaller.
EasyJet cut its baggage limits by exactly half, from 45x56x25cm down to 36x45x20cm, according to the BBC’s investigation.
EasyJet told the BBC: “Like most European short haul airlines we also offer the option to bring a large cabin bag onboard from just £5.99.”
Passengers going over luggage allowance limits have to pay extra fees. Ryanair’s excess baggage fee is currently £12, but extra check in bags are £23.99 to £35.99 for a 10kg bag if added at the airport, or up to £59.99 for a 20kg bag.
Easyjet lists its fee as £12 for an excess bag weight, or £48 for an oversized cabin bag discovered at the airport. It describes the fee as “Fee for any non-purchased bag (per item) brought to the departure gate that is over a customer’s small cabin bag allowance which is a maximum size of 45 x 36 x 20 cm or any bags outside of standard entitlements. The bag will be placed in the hold.”