While Americans grapple with ever-rising checked baggage fees and new charges for everything from water to purse space on many low cost carriers, Europeans are saying they have had enough.
Recent acts by MEPS or members of European Parliament call for airlines to scrap fees for “reasonable” sized carry-on luggage.
"You cannot commoditize a right, nor have a business model that inflates profits by dint of trampling on consumer rights,” said Spanish Renew MEP Jordi Ca?as as reported by Politico in early October. Ca?as pushed for “free-of-charge” wording to be included in the resolution adding a certain anger tone at airlines for "repeatedly carrying out abusive practices against European citizens' rights."
In a notable 2014 ruling from the Court of Justice of the EU, cabin bags of “reasonable” size and weight were deemed a right and a “necessary” part of air travel and, therefore, passengers should not be charged for these items.
Baggage “that is not checked in, namely hand baggage must be considered, in principle, as a necessary item for the carriage of passengers. Consequently, the carriage of hand baggage cannot be made subject to a price supplement, provided that it meets reasonable requirements in terms of its weight and dimensions and complies with applicable security requirements,” the EU court wrote.
And while the details of this resolution continue to be hammered out and require the further support from the European Commission and EU countries, the end result may get some blowback from flyers in the end. That is because, so far, sizing dimensions have not been standardized and enforcement across carriers has been willy-nilly.
Currently, most European airlines limit carry-on luggage to a maximum size 21.6 x 15.7 x 7.8 inches, while some airlines accept bags as wide as 9.84 inches (but may not accept a height above 13.7 inches), according to luggage manufacturer Travelpro.
PHOTO: Ryanair Boeing 737-800. (photo via rebius / iStock Editorial / Getty Images Plus)
The controversy brings to light hidden fees and some of the ways airlines are keeping those fees hidden until the big airport surprise.
It is not hidden wisdom these days to watch low cost carriers reel in customers with rock-bottom fares knowing they can make up the difference by charging for everything else but the seat. Ryanair at one point proposed measures such as saddles for seats and bathroom charging systems as profiteering possibilities. New and enhanced rulings on carry-on bags will likely affect pricing models at Wizz Air and easyJet, among others.
In the U.S., Spirit, Frontier and other low coast carriers are frequent purveyors of these not-always-transparent à la carte charging practices. The Biden administration has repeatedly come out against hidden fees, whether charged by airlines or hotels or other services.
Most recently, the White House joined up with the Federal Trade Commission, the Department of Transportation and Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to trash “junk fees’ in favor or transparency. Wording includes “require fees to be disclosed up-front for checking a bag.”
U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, is supporting these measures with proposed legislation to crack down on consumer-burdening junk fees and require all-in pricing across industries.
“Whether it’s buying a ticket to the game or renting a car for a weekend, consumers should know the total price up front when they’re shopping for goods and services,” Sen. Cantwell said in a statement.
And while this action may not stop airlines from charging passengers for their carry-on luggage, it will at least prevent the “airport surprise.” The Cantwell-led proposal that emerged earlier this month awaits passage in the Senate but action in the House may be another matter entirely.
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