Industry expert says airlines will be cracking down – and people should get evidence bag is right size
Every air passenger thinking of travelling abroad this summer has been warned airlines could crack down on spotting oversized baggage. This week an internal easyJet letter was uncovered by the Times revealed that staff at Swissport, an aviation company that provides ground handling services, were told they were “eligible to receive £1.20 (£1 after tax) for every gate bag taken, effective immediately”.
The email was reportedly sent to Swissport employees working at seven airports across the UK in Belfast, Birmingham, Glasgow, Jersey, Liverpool and Newcastle. The cash bonuses were introduced to staff as the easyJet gate bag revenue incentive, which is “intended to reward agents doing the right thing” and would result in “payments made directly to employees”.
Employees of Swissport, which operates at seven airports in the UK and Channel Islands, were allegedly told they could receive a bonus of £1.20 (£1 after tax) for every oversized bag taken from an easyJet customer whilst boarding.
Any hand luggage that doesn’t meet the airline’s size requirements is stored in the hold instead, and customers will be charged £48 for the re-allocation.
Now expert Laura Evans-Fisk, head of digital & engagement at eurochange said that other airlines were likely to follow suit across the budget airline sector.
The warning came after EU lawmakers voted in favour of a proposal allowing passengers to bring a small carry-on bag weighing up to 7kg (15.4lbs) on board their flight free of charge, even on budget airlines.
Under the new rule, travellers would be allowed to bring one cabin bag measuring up to 100cm on board their flight, as well as an under-the-seat personal item with a maximum size of 40x30x15cm at no additional cost. The proposed law still requires approval from 55% of EU member states, but if adopted following negotiations starting in July 2025, the new rules would extend to all flights within the EU, as well as routes to and from the EU.
The move has not been greeted with joy by budget airlines. Laura Evans-Fisk, head of digital & engagement at eurochange comments: “Passengers will likely now face even more scrutiny of the size of their carry-on bags. “The traditional advice of ‘pack light and measure carefully’ is no longer enough.”
Laura said the policy is ‘likely’ to be introduced across the budget airline sector too: “Swissport operates at multiple airports and for various airlines, so it’s highly likely similar schemes will be introduced across the budget airline sector. Because of this, passengers across all budget airlines should remain vigilant, not just those travelling with easyJet.”
Top tips to avoid a problem:
Document everything
Laura said: “Before you board the plane, take photos of your bag in the sizing cage, even if you don’t get pulled up on the size of your bag.
“If you already have a photo of your bag inside the cage, you already have the evidence that your bag is the correct size.”
Pack significantly under the size limits
“If you can, packing as lightly as possible will leave no room for interpretation. Try vac-packing your clothes into plastic zipped-up bags inside your case to maximise the space as much as possible.
“It can also work out a lot cheaper to buy basic toiletries like shower gel, toothpaste and shampoo and conditioner when you actually arrive, rather than trying to fit these in your luggage.”
Know your rights
“If you believe you’re being unfairly charged, make sure you escalate your case immediately. Do not pay any fees if you believe you are within the size limit.
“However, it is very important to read up on the baggage measurements and ensure you have paid for the correct baggage limit according to the size of your bag.”
Previously, EU-based budget airlines like EasyJet, RyanAir, Wizz and others often charged substantial fees for hand luggage, depending on its size and weight. As a result, Spain’s Consumer Rights Ministry fined five budget airlines €179m (£149m) for what it deemed “abusive practices” in November 2024. The Spanish ruling, along with pressure from consumer rights associations and passengers, has paved the way for the EU to push for what it considers fairer and more consistent hand luggage rules.
The carry-on proposal is part of a larger effort by the European Parliament to increase protections and rights for travellers. To ensure that families can sit together without incurring additional costs, lawmakers also voted to prohibit airlines from imposing seat selection charges for children aged 12 and under.