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The Independent
2 days ago
- The Independent
‘Cabin baggage wars' set for another major battle – here's what it means for airline passengers
Taking two pieces of cabin baggage on board a flight is 'a fundamental right to avoid unjustified extra costs', according to the European Parliament. The legislators believe some budget airlines are penalising passengers by permitting only one 'small personal item' with the cheapest tickets. MEPs want to force carriers to allow two pieces of hand luggage. The move is the latest strike in the ' cabin baggage wars ' that broke out two decades ago. Up to and including 2005, almost every airline allowed around 20kg of checked luggage as part of the ticket price. So there was no big squeeze: passengers naturally packed voluminous and heavy stuff in their free checked allowance. Then a now-defunct airline, Flybe, started charging extra for checked-in luggage. Quickly Ryanair, easyJet and others followed suit in charging for checked luggage. Inevitably, travellers switched en masse to cabin baggage. Initially passengers were allowed chunky cabin baggage – typically one roll-along case and a smaller backpack or laptop case. That is still the policy of British Airways, Jet2 and many other airlines. But the giant budget airlines have shrunk the amount they allow and charge a ludicrously large sum for taking larger cabin baggage. On many cheap flights on easyJet, Ryanair and Wizz Air, taking a 'large cabin bag' can roughly double the cost of the trip. To make matters worse, the three budget giants have different dimensions for the 'small personal item'. Now the European Parliament is demanding that all airlines should allow second piece of luggage as well. What could this mean for travellers? These are the key questions and answers. What has been agreed? The transport and tourism committee of the European Parliament has voted overwhelmingly that: 'Passengers should have a right to carry on board one personal item, such as a handbag, backpack or laptop (maximum dimensions of 40 x 30 x 15cm), and one small hand luggage (maximum dimensions of 100cm and 7kg) without an additional fee.' The crucial points are that the 'small hand luggage' will be in addition to the current free 'personal item'. It has been reported as allowing passengers to bring a roll-along or trolley case on board. But looking at the policy voted upon, it would be tiny. To comply with 'maximum dimensions of 100cm' the second bag would need to be something like 45 x 35 x 20cm, which adds up to 100cm. Yet oddly that is actually smaller than easyJet's existing free personal bag. The maximum volume of something with dimensions of 100cm is about 37 litres, far less than the current allowance for a paid trolley bag on any airline. What is the European Parliament saying? 'Today's vote marks an important step toward fairer and more transparent travel,' says Matteo Ricci, the rapporteur on enforcement of passenger rights. 'The clear definition of free hand luggage up to a maximum size of 100cm [is] a fundamental right to avoid unjustified extra costs.' Earlier this year 16 consumer groups from across the EU, under the main European Consumer Organisation (BEUC) umbrella, demanded 'a small item and a piece of hand luggage' to be included with every air fare. Already courts in Italy and Spain have come down on the side of the passenger wanting to bring two pieces of cabin baggage, with fines imposed on various budget airlines, particularly Ryanair. Appeals are currently in progress. What happens next? Later this year the committee's proposal will be voted on by the European Parliament. The plan is likely to be rubber-stamped. But that is still a long way from anything of this nature coming into effect. Once the parliament in Brussels (or Strasbourg, depending on the week) votes in favour, the issue goes to a 'trilogue'. What's a trilogue? 'An informal inter-institutional negotiation bringing together representatives of the European Parliament, the Council of the European Union and the European Commission,' says the EU. 'The aim of a trilogue is to reach a provisional agreement on a legislative proposal that is acceptable to both the Parliament and the Council, the co-legislators. This provisional agreement must then be adopted by each of those institutions' formal procedures.' In other words, a talking shop where individual member states make their views heard. It is likely that Italy and Spain – where ministers have lobbied in favour of extra free cabin bags – will want to push through the new rules. But they are likely to face opposition from countries such as Ireland and Hungary, which are homes of Ryanair and Wizz Air respectively, seeking to protect these big companies from new legislation. The UK, having chosen the many glorious benefits of Brexit in favour of any influence in Europe, will not be at the party – though easyJet Europe, based in Austria, could have its views heard. Who could possibly argue against consumers getting a better deal? Budget airlines say these proposals are both unworkable and anti-consumer – reducing choice and increasing cost. Britain's biggest budget airline, easyJet, says that 39 per cent of its passengers currently travel only with the small personal item. A spokesperson for Wizz Air said the plan would 'make flying more expensive for millions of travellers ... forcing passengers to pay for services they may not use'. The carrier says increasing the free allowance would slow down the boarding process and 'undermine the operational efficiency and low-cost model that make affordable air travel possible in Europe'. Michael O'Leary of Ryanair told The Independent: 'We can only allow about half the passengers to bring a wheelie bag on board. There isn't space on board the aircraft for any more bags. 'So we don't think there's going to be any legislation that will impose a right, impose on all airlines, 'You must take all these wheelie bags' – because the aircraft won't fit the bags.' MEPs will no doubt say that's the airline's problem, and if necessary the carrier could allow people to check baggage free of charge. But it all adds complexity and cost. When the last UK government started looking into the issue in November 2023, a senior aviation figure compared the idea of bundling in an automatic right to take more cabin baggage to making everyone who orders a pizza pay for extra toppings they may not want. But this is EU legislation – surely the UK could ignore any such law? On domestic flights and links from the UK to non-EU destinations such as Morocco and Montenegro, British carriers would not have to comply. But many links from the UK to European Union destinations are operated by EU airlines – including Ryanair, Wizz Air and easyJet Europe. Were a new 'two cabin bags' law to come in, it is likely that the big airlines would have a uniform policy to avoid even more confusion. Of course, British Airways and Jet2 would comply anyway with their current cabin bag allowances. Why do British Airways and Jet2 have different policies to the others? Because of their specific business models. BA carries many intercontinental passengers, who are accustomed to taking two pieces of cabin baggage – which are easily accommodated in wide-bodied aircraft. It would not be reasonable to have a different European policy. On a typical Jet2 flight, half the passengers are on Jet2 Holidays packages and get a 22kg checked baggage allowance. So in my experience there is never any overcrowding in the overhead bins on Jet2 flights. The Leeds-based firm can market its more generous cabin baggage limit as a customer benefit. What do you think will happen? European airlines will coalesce on common limits for the 'small personal item' that is currently free for everyone. That would enable to them to comply with a separate European Parliament resolution in 2024 calling for 'EU-wide harmonisation' of baggage rules. To align, Ryanair would need to increase one of its dimensions by 5cm. Michael O'Leary has indicated that would be possible. It might be enough for the airlines to dodge the EU bullet on a second bag.
The Irish Sun
28-04-2025
- The Irish Sun
The world's shortest flight is less than two miles and takes just 53 seconds… and it's in the UK
THE shortest scheduled passenger flight in the world takes place between two Scottish islands. From take off to landing, this entire journey takes just 90 seconds. Advertisement 6 Residents and visitors of two Orkney Islands off the coast of Scotland can experience the world's shortest passenger flight Credit: Alamy 6 Loganair and Flybe operate the 90-seconf route between Westray and Papa Westray in the Orkney Islands Credit: Alamy Connecting Westray and Papa Westray in the Orkney Islands of Scotland, this unique route has proved the most efficient for residents and tourists alike. From take off to landing, the flight covers a total of 1.7 miles, and only spends 53 seconds in the air. The speedy flights run every day and are less frivolous than they might seem. For the residents of the two isles, there is no cheaper or easier alternative available. Advertisement Read More On Travel A ferry making the same journey between the two islands takes 25 minutes. Despite their close proximity no bridges exist to connect the two islands. And since the entire population of Papa Westray clocks in at just 90 people, it's unlikely any funding will go towards such a project. The flight journey is mainly used by teachers and students studying archeological sites. Advertisement Most read in News Travel However, health professionals are also known to frequent the service, attending to patients on both islands. The plane itself is a Britten-Norman BN2B-26 Islander is operated by Operated by Flybe or Loganair. The European city with cheap UK flights, famous lagoon spas and summers where the sun never sets This aircraft is small, with just eight seats, along with the pilot and co-pilot chairs. With a record time of just 47 seconds on days where the wind cooperates, the route has been measured as the shortest scheduled passenger flight by the Guinness World Records. Advertisement It was first flown in 1967 and welcomed the one millionth passenger in 2016. A pilot from one of the islands revealed in a YouTube video that despite flying the route around 5,000 times, he has only accumulated approximately 50 hours in the air. And while the flight time may seem laughable, the alternative is not an ideal option. 6 The 1.7 mile journey is 90 seconds in total, with just 53 of those airborne Advertisement According to "The boat rocked so violently from side to side I was sure we were going to capsize," he explained. "Spending 20 minutes on that boat on a 'calm day' was enough to make me never want to set foot on another boat again." To try the flight out for yourself, however, is a bit more difficult of a venture. Advertisement 6 The aircraft includes eight passenger seats and a pilot and co-pilot seat, with all baggage stored in a cargo hold due to lack of cabin space Credit: Alamy The get to Papa Westray from London, you will have to make your way to Aberdeen, and then on to Kirkwall, and finally from Kirkwall to Westray. But at least you don't need to arrive at the airport too far in advance, with the recommended time being just 10 minutes before departure. And don't expect to take on your hand luggage, as even small carry on bags are put into the cargo compartment due to the lack of space. Advertisement Flights between the two islands 6 The islands include lots of scenic areas includig the bay and village of Pierowall on Westray Credit: Alamy 6 There is a small airport located on the island of Papa Westray in Orkney, Scotland Credit: Alamy
Yahoo
28-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Airline retains patient transfer service contract
Loganair will continue provide the Isle of Man's patient transfer services for non-urgent hospital appointments in the UK for next three years, Manx Care has confirmed. The regional airline already has the current contract for the service, which sees the Manx government arrange air transport to Liverpool for those receiving treatment in the UK. The health care body's chief executive Teresa Cope said the air links offered "vital connectivity" for residents who need treatment that cannot be given on island. Loganair chief executive Luke Farajallah said those travelling for health reasons "expect the very best care from their airline and the team was "determined" to deliver it. The operator took over the service following the collapse of Flybe in 2020, with about 15,000 patient transfer journeys taken each year. The government has contracts with several hospitals, predominantly in the North West of England, which deliver specialist treatment not available on the island, such as transplants, burn care and specialised cancer treatment. The contract, which was awarded after a tender process, involves a minimum daily return service from Monday to Friday, providing flights mainly to and from Liverpool John Lennon Airport. Ms Cope said the flights were important "lifeline flights" for the Manx community allowing "access vital UK services for specialist medical appointments that cannot be delivered locally on-island". Mr Farajallah said the airline was "deeply committed to the Isle of Man, its people, and their wellbeing". It aimed to ensure that "reliable and dependable flight options" were "always available to those who need it most", he added. Read more stories from the Isle of Man on the BBC, watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer and follow BBC Isle of Man on Facebook and X. Airlines asked to bid for patient transfer service Patient transfer team moves to Noble's site Patient transfer services to be reviewed - Ashford Manx Care Loganair
BBC News
28-02-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Airline retains Isle of Man's patient transfer service contract
Loganair will continue provide the Isle of Man's patient transfer services for non-urgent hospital appointments in the UK for next three years, Manx Care has regional airline already has the current contract for the service, which sees the Manx government arrange air transport to Liverpool for those receiving treatment in the health care body's chief executive Teresa Cope said the air links offered "vital connectivity" for residents who need treatment that cannot be given on chief executive Luke Farajallah said those travelling for health reasons "expect the very best care from their airline and the team was "determined" to deliver it. The operator took over the service following the collapse of Flybe in 2020, with about 15,000 patient transfer journeys taken each government has contracts with several hospitals, predominantly in the North West of England, which deliver specialist treatment not available on the island, such as transplants, burn care and specialised cancer contract, which was awarded after a tender process, involves a minimum daily return service from Monday to Friday, providing flights mainly to and from Liverpool John Lennon Airport. 'Deeply committed' Ms Cope said the flights were important "lifeline flights" for the Manx community allowing "access vital UK services for specialist medical appointments that cannot be delivered locally on-island".Mr Farajallah said the airline was "deeply committed to the Isle of Man, its people, and their wellbeing". It aimed to ensure that "reliable and dependable flight options" were "always available to those who need it most", he added. Read more stories from the Isle of Man on the BBC, watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer and follow BBC Isle of Man on Facebook and X.
