One person was fined on both the outbound and return flights after falling foul of budget airline easyJet’s cabin bag policy – and they are not alone when it comes to making this error
Anyone who is flying with budget airlines such as Ryanair and easyjet this summer has been issued a stark warning to make sure they have the right size carry-on case – or risk being fined.
Manchester Evening News writer Rachel Pugh thought she’d hit the jackpot when she secured £50 return flights from Liverpool Airport to Barcelona with a carry-on case a few years back. After diligently checking the baggage dimension rules and packing her belongings, she was confident that everything was in order – unaware of the rookie mistake she’d made.
She said: “While my actual cabin case was within the correct dimensions, what I hadn’t realised, was that my wheels and handle were part of these. As such, I was fined to fly both there and back – and it’s fair to say it ate into the small holiday budget I’d allocated.
“I was upset, but knowing there was nothing I could do about it at the boarding gate, I was forced to cough up. Since then, I’ve never made the same mistake, and now I’m overly cautious about the bags I take on board budget airlines.”
READ MORE: UK tourists heading to Greece, France, Spain, Italy and Turkey this summer issued warning
Rachel’s cabin bag of choice now is the Antler Icon Stripe Cabin in Taupe, which isn’t cheap at £175, but it has saved her a considerable amount in hand luggage fines.
She wrote: “I’ve taken it on TUI, Ryanair and Jet2 flights, and have never had an issue. It also fits in plenty of outfits, shoes and accessories – and helps to satisfy my overpacking cravings.”
EasyJet’s standard baggage policy allows all passengers to bring one small under seat bag on board free of charge, according to Birmingham Live. There’s no weight limit, but the bag must fit under the seat in front of you and can’t be any bigger than 45x36x20cm, like this Chelsea Overnight Bag from luxury suitcase brand Antler.
A secondary rule states that this bag measurement must include any wheels and handles. EasyJet uses baggage sizers at its check-in desks and airport gates and passengers may be asked to place their bag inside to prove that it fits.
If the main body of the bag fits but handles, wheels or straps are poking out and cannot be tucked away, passengers may still be charged. EasyJet’s £48 Airport Bag Fee applies to any small hand luggage bag or large hand luggage bag that is found to be over that person’s paid-for allowance.
EasyJet urged its passengers to ‘please check the dimensions’ before leaving for the airport and added: “If you think your luggage might be bigger than your allowance, please measure it and don’t forget to include any handles and wheels, and check it against your allowed size here. If it’s too big you can add additional baggage in your account before you check in.
“If you’re told at the check-in or bag drop desk that your luggage is too big you’ll need to pay a £48 fee. If our ground crew tell you at the gate that your luggage is too big, you’ll have to pay the fee at the gate.”
EasyJet customers who choose to pay extra for a bigger cabin bag allowance can travel with luggage measuring up to 56x45x25cm. A suitable option would be the Clifton Cabin Bag by Antler, currently discounted by £42 in their ongoing sale.
Jet2 also recommends patrons who prefer a cabin bag with wheels or handles, ensure the total dimensions do not exceed 56x45x25cm. All passengers aboard Jet2 are allowed this cabin bag size as standard practice and according to Jet2’s policy they state: “You can take one piece of hand luggage onboard free of charge, as long as it weighs no more than 10kg and is no larger than 56cmx45cmx25cm including wheels and handles.”
Whilst over at Amazon, the highly-rated Lossga For Ryanair Cabin Bag 40x20x25 has been marked down to £16.89 from its original price of £19.98. Additionally, the Amazon Basics Underseat Travel Suitcase complete with a Telescopic Handle and two In-line Skate Wheels has been slashed to £59.92 from its earlier price of £79.98.
If you want ideas and inspiration to plan your next UK adventure plus selected offers and competitions, sign up for our 2Chill weekly newsletter here
