Latest news with #baggagefees
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Southwest Airlines Customers Creatively Avoid Bag Fees
Last month, Southwest Airlines officially began charging for checked baggage, ending its long-time trademarked "bags fly free" policy. The big change has led some passengers to make some major moves to avoid having to pay those new bag fees. The new Southwest Airlines bag fees will cost travelers $35 for their first checked bag and $45 for a second, which is in line with most other domestic airlines, but quite a significant change from the airline previously offering two free checked bags for each customer. While some customers have resigned to the fact that they must now pay for their baggage, others have taken more drastic measures to avoid those charges. Though Southwest Airlines has started charging for checked baggage, Southwest does still allow passengers to bring one carry-on item free of charge, like most other domestic airlines. Passengers are now doing everything they can to take full advantage of that policy. A recent Reddit post on the Southwest Airlines subreddit offered a look at what some customers are doing to ensure they can fit all of their belongings inside a carry-on bag to avoid having to pay for a checked bag. The original poster shared some photos of vacuum-sealed bags that they used to make their clothes as small as possible and fit as much in a carry-on bag as they could. While some questioned how the passenger would re-pack the bag for a return trip, the original poster replied that they packed their travel pump for the vacuum-sealed bags, with someone else adding that those pumps are actually very compact these days. "USB powered pump. It's really compact, smaller than your average smart phone. I used this for a trip to the London, Scotland, and Ireland last year," a Reddit user commented. Other commenters suggested using packing cubes to make things as compact as possible without using vacuum sealing. Some packing cubes, Reddit users pointed out, even have additional zippers to make them even more compact once they are packed. So if you're among those lamenting Southwest's change in policy, you might consider packing your carry-on bag a bit more efficiently. Southwest Airlines Customers Creatively Avoid Bag Fees first appeared on Men's Journal on Jun 28, 2025
Daily Mail
19-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
People praise 'genius' hack to avoid paying for extra luggage
A new travel hack for those looking to avoid splashing out on cabin baggage fees when flying is going viral online. And all that's needed is a common travel accessory. In a video on TikTok, Nina Edwine (@nina_edwine) shared her ingenious trick to stuff an empty neck pillow with items that would otherwise force her to pay for additional baggage. And despite the small size of the travel pillow, Nina was able to pack in 10 items of clothing, including a bra, tops and a dress. The video, captioned 'rat technique to avoid paying €50 for cabin baggage', has already been viewed 2.6 million times on TikTok. It's also attracted almost 2,000 comments. The tactic has been dubbed both 'genius' and 'legendary' by those users of the video-sharing app. However, some people are unsure whether this will actually work. 'I was traveling with Ryanair last Thursday and if you only have a small luggage you can't have nothing else,' wrote @kot_w_glowie1. 'The lady by the gate told EVERYONE to put the pillow in their bag or throw them away.' Another user, who claimed to work at an airport, said: 'As a gate agent, we still notice and we'll still charge you that.' Sharanjit Shokar said that they 'did this with a normal pillow and Ryanair staff at Marrakesh were not having it'. Others joked that Nina Edwine was giving away a secret that low-cost airlines will now clamp down on. 'You lot are exposing this and when we get to the gate about to hop on a Ryanair flight, they will want to check everything,' wrote @kima_ziora. Some users shared their own tips for avoiding airline fees. 'Buy any item at duty free get a bag to go and you can put your clothes etc in that bag,' read one comment, with another user replying that they've 'done this so many times, works every time'. Another tip was to use 'one of those Uniqlo cross body bags', and to 'wear it under your coat with a scarf round your neck to disguise the strap'. A landmark court ruling in Spain last 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) by Ryanair for hand luggage costs charged on five flights between 2019 and 2024 following the judgment. But an aviation legal expert warned that as a result of the case, budget airlines could charge higher 'all inclusive' fares.
The Sun
12-06-2025
- The Sun
Amazon's selling a £7 cabin bag that's Ryanair & easyJet approved – it fits 5 days' of clothes in & comes in 4 colours
IF you're planning a summer getaway, an affordable Amazon buy is perfect for avoiding those baggage fees at the airport. Opting for just a carry on may seem cheaper but fines at the gate can put a damper on the start of your holiday. With a quick click on Amazon, you can pick up a compact cabin bag, approved by Ryanair and easyJet. This bag measures 40 centimetres in length and 25 centimetres in height, making it perfect for under seat storage. The Estefanlo Cabin Bag is available for just £6.99 from Amazon. It comes in four colours: beige, black, grey, and pink. The measurements on this bag allow you to carry on the maximum amount of luggage into the cabin. It meets the guidelines for major airlines including Ryanair, easyJet, and British Airways. Made with water-resistent fabric, you don't need to worry about landing into wet weather conditions. This hand luggage bag even features an extra shoulder strap for your comfort. A pouch allows the duffel to fit over the handle of a wheeled suitcase. And if you haven't splurged for checked luggage, this bag is said to hold up to five days worth of clothes. Primark launches new range of cabin bags on wheels - they're approved by all budget airlines & there's matching carry-ons too And that's not all, it also features an exterior pocket for all your travel essentials. This includes items like your boarding pass, passport, and other documents you may need. These cabin bags can also be used to transport gym and sports gear. It can even be utilised as a hospital bag and for overnight camping trips. The smooth reliable zips and reinforced straps make this bag ideal for long haul travel. Advice for flying with Ryanair All Ryanair passengers can bring a small personal bag on board but this must fit under the seat in front of you, but it must be no bigger than 40cm x 20cm x 25cm Any over-sized cabin bags will be refused at the boarding gate and put in the hold for a fee Ryanair also charges passengers up to £55 check-in at the airport Anyone who loses their card at the airport will have to pay a £20 reissue fee Book to sit in the front five rows if you want to head off the plane first Extra legroom seats can be found in rows 1 A, B, C or 2 D, E, F as well as row 16 and 17 near the emergency exit The worst seat on Ryanair's Boeing 737-800 aircraft is also 11A because of its lack of window. Amazon shoppers heaped on the praise for the budget bag in the review section. "Flew Ryanair and fitted plenty of items inside which fitted perfectly under the seat on the flight," said one customer. "Highly recommend as I'm now using as a gym bag." "I love it, perfect size and the folding, I will recommend it to friends and family," wrote another buyer. A third person said the luggage is "the perfect size" and "holds loads". 2
Yahoo
08-06-2025
- Yahoo
'I burst into tears': How airline carry-on bag confusion triggered legal row
Determined to avoid baggage fees for his holiday to Pisa, Benjamin Till trawled several different shops armed with a tape measure in search of the right suitcase. Eventually, he found a case within the dimensions EasyJet allows for a free underseat bag - or so he thought. When Mr Till arrived at London Gatwick Airport in December 2023, he discovered those measurements included wheels, meaning his bag was deemed slightly too big. He protested, but eventually paid £48 to bring the bag on board. He says he was told to remove the wheels for the way back - which he did. But at the gate on his way home, he was told the suitcase was still too large, so he sat on the floor, unpacking his dirty underwear and souvenirs into a bin bag. "I don't mind admitting that I actually burst into tears because it was so humiliating," he says. An EasyJet spokesperson told the BBC its ground crew had to ensure non-checked bags were within maximum dimensions "to safely and securely fit", and that rules were made clear to customers when they booked. Stories of passengers caught out by baggage rules they feel are inconsistent or confusing are common, with many customers complaining or seeking clarity from budget airlines on social media. Different airlines have varying rules on the acceptable size and weight of an underseat personal item or an overhead cabin bag, with some charging customers to bring the latter. For people who fall foul of these rules, some airlines charge hefty fees to upgrade a bag from a free personal item to an overhead cabin bag at the airport gate, or to stow an oversized cabin bag in the hold. Passenger confusion has prompted the European Union's largest consumer group to push for fairer and more consistent hand luggage rules, and caused one government to start cracking down on airlines over bag charges. The EU is now looking at changing its laws - changes which would also affect UK passengers who are travelling to or from an EU destination using an EU-based airline. On Thursday, EU transport ministers proposed standardised sizing for free underseat baggage on EU airlines, among other air travel and passenger rights' changes - meaning this could become EU law if their position is accepted by the European Parliament. Budget airlines say their baggage policies comply with the law while keeping fares low, but they have been facing mounting pressure and calls for change. EU transport ministers proposed that passengers should be guaranteed one free personal item, measuring up to 40x30x15cm (including wheels and handles) - or which could reasonably fit under a plane seat. These rules would apply to EU-based airlines (such as Ryanair, Wizz Air and EasyJet), including when they are carrying passengers from a non-EU country like the UK to an EU country and vice-versa, but not third-party airlines. New rules would add clarity to an EU court ruling from 11 years ago, which stated hand baggage should not be subject to an extra fee, provided it met "reasonable" weight and dimensions, but did not say what reasonable was. Currently, Ryanair allows a free carry-on bag of 40x20x25cm, while EasyJet's dimensions for a free bag are a more generous 45x36x20 cm, including wheels and handles. The ministers' proposal was silent, however, on the issue of whether airlines could charge for overhead cabin bags – meaning that if their proposal was adopted into law, the current situation would not change and airlines could keep charging for that kind of hand baggage, which some in Europe have lobbied to stop. The European Consumer Organisation, BEUC, an umbrella group for 45 independent consumer organisations from 32 countries, believes Thursday's proposals do not go far enough, and legitimise "charging for reasonably sized hand luggage". In November, five airlines were fined a total of €179m (£150m) in Spain for "abusive" practices, including charging for hand luggage. Spain's Consumer Rights Ministry said at the time that it planned to ban charging extra for carry-on luggage and other policies. The airlines had said they would appeal the decision. Regarding charges for overheard cabin bags, Ryanair said it fully complied with EU law in its policy, which allows one small bag on board free of charge. "If airlines were forced to include additional carry-on bags as part of the basic fare, it would reduce choice and drive up air fares for all passengers, which would harm consumers," the airline said. Industry group Airlines For Europe said charging different amounts depending on baggage "allows passengers to choose the exact services that best suits their needs". Hand luggage dimensions should be universal, says Jane Hawkes, a consumer expert specialising in travel. "I don't really see why it can't be, and why they can't come to a voluntary agreement as to what those requirements should be for your baggage," she tells the BBC. "There have to be restrictions, obviously, but a one-size-fits-all kind of approach would make it a lot simpler for passengers," she says. BEUC said policymakers should define what "reasonable" size and weight was "to avoid surprises at the airport and ultimately reduce the number of disputes costing consumers and airlines time and money". Ms Hawkes suggests passengers make sure they measure their bag after it is packed, as it may expand when it is full and go over the limit. She adds that consumers should not just be swayed by the fare price, as "if you've got an airline that encompasses [baggage] without you having to pay extra costs to start with, then that might be more of a better option for you". Mr Till would welcome a one-size-fits-all approach to underseat bags. "It's just really, really unfair and ridiculous and there should be one size that goes across all of the airlines," he says. He also criticises the permitted size of underseat cabin bags, saying "it was such a tiny, tiny size of luggage that you were allowed that it had taken me so long to find something that was so small". Still, he was grateful for the inexpensive air fare, and the place he had to stay in Italy, because "otherwise I wouldn't be able to come to this beautiful country". Ryanair fine over 'potentially oversize' cabin bag Rip Off Britain: Why is my hand luggage allowance shrinking?
BBC News
07-06-2025
- BBC News
How budget airline baggage confusion triggered EU legal row
Determined to avoid baggage fees for his holiday to Pisa, Benjamin Till trawled several different shops armed with a tape measure in search of the right suitcase. Eventually, he found a case within the dimensions EasyJet allows for a free underseat bag - or so he thought. When Mr Till arrived at London Gatwick Airport in December 2023, he discovered those measurements included wheels, meaning his bag was deemed slightly too protested, but eventually paid £48 to bring the bag on board. He says he was told to remove the wheels for the way back - which he at the gate on his way home, he was told the suitcase was still too large, so he sat on the floor, unpacking his dirty underwear and souvenirs into a bin bag."I don't mind admitting that I actually burst into tears because it was so humiliating," he says. An EasyJet spokesperson told the BBC its ground crew had to ensure non-checked bags were within maximum dimensions "to safely and securely fit", and that rules were made clear to customers when they booked. Stories of passengers caught out by baggage rules they feel are inconsistent or confusing are common, with many customers complaining or seeking clarity from budget airlines on social media. Different airlines have varying rules on the acceptable size and weight of an underseat personal item or an overhead cabin bag, with some charging customers to bring the latter. For people who fall foul of these rules, some airlines charge hefty fees to upgrade a bag from a free personal item to an overhead cabin bag at the airport gate, or to stow an oversized cabin bag in the confusion has prompted the European Union's largest consumer group to push for fairer and more consistent hand luggage rules, and caused one government to start cracking down on airlines over bag EU is now looking at changing its laws - changes which would also affect UK passengers who are travelling to or from an EU destination using an EU-based airline. On Thursday, EU transport ministers proposed standardised sizing for free underseat baggage on EU airlines, among other air travel and passenger rights' changes - meaning this could become EU law if their position is accepted by the European airlines say their baggage policies comply with the law while keeping fares low, but they have been facing mounting pressure and calls for change. What could change, or not, for hand baggage? EU transport ministers proposed that passengers should be guaranteed one free personal item, measuring up to 40x30x15cm (including wheels and handles) - or which could reasonably fit under a plane rules would apply to EU-based airlines (such as Ryanair, Wizz Air and EasyJet), including when they are carrying passengers from a non-EU country like the UK to an EU country and vice-versa, but not third-party rules would add clarity to an EU court ruling from 11 years ago, which stated hand baggage should not be subject to an extra fee, provided it met "reasonable" weight and dimensions, but did not say what reasonable Ryanair allows a free carry-on bag of 40x20x25cm, while EasyJet's dimensions for a free bag are a more generous 45x36x20 cm, including wheels and ministers' proposal was silent, however, on the issue of whether airlines could charge for overhead cabin bags – meaning that if their proposal was adopted into law, the current situation would not change and airlines could keep charging for that kind of hand baggage, which some in Europe have lobbied to European Consumer Organisation, BEUC, an umbrella group for 45 independent consumer organisations from 32 countries, believes Thursday's proposals do not go far enough, and legitimise "charging for reasonably sized hand luggage".In November, five airlines were fined a total of €179m (£150m) in Spain for "abusive" practices, including charging for hand luggage. Spain's Consumer Rights Ministry said at the time that it planned to ban charging extra for carry-on luggage and other airlines had said they would appeal the decision. Regarding charges for overheard cabin bags, Ryanair said it fully complied with EU law in its policy, which allows one small bag on board free of charge."If airlines were forced to include additional carry-on bags as part of the basic fare, it would reduce choice and drive up air fares for all passengers, which would harm consumers," the airline group Airlines For Europe said charging different amounts depending on baggage "allows passengers to choose the exact services that best suits their needs". What do customers want? Hand luggage dimensions should be universal, says Jane Hawkes, a consumer expert specialising in travel."I don't really see why it can't be, and why they can't come to a voluntary agreement as to what those requirements should be for your baggage," she tells the BBC."There have to be restrictions, obviously, but a one-size-fits-all kind of approach would make it a lot simpler for passengers," she said policymakers should define what "reasonable" size and weight was "to avoid surprises at the airport and ultimately reduce the number of disputes costing consumers and airlines time and money".Ms Hawkes suggests passengers make sure they measure their bag after it is packed, as it may expand when it is full and go over the limit. She adds that consumers should not just be swayed by the fare price, as "if you've got an airline that encompasses [baggage] without you having to pay extra costs to start with, then that might be more of a better option for you". Mr Till would welcome a one-size-fits-all approach to underseat bags. "It's just really, really unfair and ridiculous and there should be one size that goes across all of the airlines," he also criticises the permitted size of underseat cabin bags, saying "it was such a tiny, tiny size of luggage that you were allowed that it had taken me so long to find something that was so small".Still, he was grateful for the inexpensive air fare, and the place he had to stay in Italy, because "otherwise I wouldn't be able to come to this beautiful country".
