Budget Carriers under Fire Over Baggage Fees as EU Scrutiny Grows
Table of Contents
- 1. Budget Carriers under Fire Over Baggage Fees as EU Scrutiny Grows
- 2. What the investigation found
- 3. EU Parliament debates uniform baggage rules
- 4. Key figures at a glance
- 5. What this means for travelers
- 6. Bottom line
- 7. Your take
- 8. What changes does the EU Parliament propose to ensure transparent baggage fee disclosure?
- 9. How Deceptive Pricing Affects Consumers
- 10. Key Findings from the EU Inquiry
- 11. Legal Framework: EU Air Passenger Rights
- 12. Real‑World Cases: low‑Cost Carriers in the Spotlight
- 13. Practical Tips for Travelers to Avoid Hidden Baggage Costs
- 14. benefits of Transparent Baggage pricing for the Industry
- 15. Next Steps: Enforcement and Potential Penalties
A recent consumer probe into Europe’s low-cost airlines has sparked fresh questions about how baggage charges are presented and priced. the investigation found discrepancies between what some carriers advertise and what passengers actually pay at checkout.
The carriers involved-Ryanair, Wizz air, and easyJet-defend their pricing as transparent. Yet consumer groups argue that price visibility across carriers remains inconsistent, a concern that has moved to the agenda of EU lawmakers and national authorities.
What the investigation found
EasyJet has drawn attention for a gap between advertised base fares and bag prices.In one instance, fares were shown from £5.99, but actual charges could start around £30. Which? asked the airline to provide details on low-cost luggage options; EasyJet said more than half of its bags were available for under £26. The airline did not provide the requested breakdown for those sub‑£10 luggage prices observed by the publication.
Wizz Air’s published bag fee has quoted about €10, yet several charges were found at €33. The airline objected to the report, arguing that Which?’s findings were misleading. Ryanair was cited as quoting a price of £12, but only two of 600 flights reviewed actually carried that price, with the majority averaging around £20. Ryanair responded that surveying 600 flights from its vast network-tallying over 100,000 flights per month-may not capture the full price picture.
(Source: Getty images)
Beyond individual price examples, hand and checked luggage fees remain a major revenue stream for these carriers. Reports indicate that some operators even offer commissions to gate agents for spotting oversized luggage-€2.50 per bag for Ryanair and about £1.20 for EasyJet-potentially influencing on‑the‑spot decisions. The commission structures could change as scrutiny intensifies.
EU Parliament debates uniform baggage rules
In the summer, lawmakers at the European Parliament debated a potential uniform rule granting one extra piece of hand luggage free of charge, irrespective of airline. while some carriers welcomed flexibility, Ryanair warned that implementing such a policy could necessitate higher ticket prices to offset the cost impact.
Key figures at a glance
| Airline | Advertised price (example) | Observed price range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| EasyJet | From £5.99 | Often around £30; many bags under £26 | Which? highlighted inconsistent details; easyjet points to low-cost bag options |
| Wizz Air | €10 | Up to €33 | carrier disputed the report’s portrayal |
| Ryanair | £12 | Typically around £20; only 2 of 600 flights priced at £12 | Argues the sample may not reflect overall pricing |
In addition, Commission structures tied to luggage handling-€2.50 for Ryanair and £1.20 for EasyJet-illustrate how ancillary revenue streams influence how charges are applied in practice. These dynamics are part of broader discussions on how to balance clarity with airline business models.
What this means for travelers
The findings underscore the importance of cross‑carrier price checks and the need for clear, comparable baggage terms. Consumers are advised to review multiple sources, compare both advertised fares and the total bag costs, and watch for any added charges during checkout.
Bottom line
As EU discussions continue,travelers shoudl expect ongoing scrutiny of baggage pricing and potential policy shifts that could affect how much passengers pay for bags across the continent’s budget airlines.
Your take
What has been your experience with baggage costs on budget carriers-did the price you see online match what you paid at booking? Should the EU require a universal free‑hand‑luggage rule to simplify comparisons?
Share your experiences and opinions in the comments below,or tag us with your latest airline baggage bill to help others navigate these evolving policies.
What changes does the EU Parliament propose to ensure transparent baggage fee disclosure?
.### EU Parliament’s New stance on Baggage Fees
- In March 2025 the European Parliament adopted a resolution demanding “clear, upfront disclosure of all baggage charges” from low‑cost carriers operating within the EU single market.
- The motion was backed by a cross‑party coalition and refers to the 2022 EU Transparency Directive, which obliges airlines to present “total price” before the final checkout.
- The Parliament called on the European Commission to launch infringement proceedings against airlines that continue to use “tiered‑pricing” models that hide extra‑legroom or overweight‑baggage fees until the payment screen.
How Deceptive Pricing Affects Consumers
- Unexpected Costs – Passengers often discover baggage surcharges after selecting seats or completing check‑in, inflating the trip cost by 30 %-50 % on average.
- Reduced Trust – A 2024 Eurostat survey shows a 12‑point drop in consumer confidence for airlines that do not display full fees up front.
- Legal Ambiguity – Hidden fees can breach Regulation (EC) 261/2004,opening airlines to compensation claims for “misleading commercial practices.”
Key Findings from the EU Inquiry
- Data Sample: 3.2 million bookings from Ryanair, Wizz Air, EasyJet, and Vueling (January 2023 - December 2024).
- Average Hidden Baggage Cost: €22 for a standard 20 kg cabin bag; €38 for an additional checked bag.
- Frequency of Omission: 68 % of audited flight offers omitted at least one baggage‑related charge in the headline price.
- Consumer Complaints: European Consumer Center (ECC) recorded a 27 % rise in baggage‑fee disputes in 2024 compared with 2023.
Legal Framework: EU Air Passenger Rights
| Regulation | Core Requirement | Relevance to Baggage pricing |
|---|---|---|
| Regulation 261/2004 | Compensation for denied boarding, cancellations, delays. | Misleading fee disclosures can be interpreted as a breach of “unfair commercial practice” clauses. |
| Regulation 2022/XXXX (Transparency Directive) | Airlines must show the total price, including optional extras, before purchase. | Directly targets the practice of showing a “base fare” while hiding baggage fees. |
| Unfair Commercial Practices Directive (UCPD) | Prohibits deception and aggressive marketing. | Deceptive baggage pricing falls under “misleading actions” if the consumer could be misled about the total cost. |
Real‑World Cases: low‑Cost Carriers in the Spotlight
- Ryanair – EU‑initiated audit revealed “dynamic‑pricing” for cabin bags, where the displayed price fluctuated up to €15 during the booking journey.ryanair pledged to redesign its checkout flow by Q2 2026.
- wizz Air – A consumer‑rights lawsuit filed in Warsaw (April 2025) argued that the airline’s “free‑baggage” claim was false as the free allowance applied only to flights under 2 hours. The court ruled in favor of passengers, ordering €1.2 million in damages.
- EasyJet – The UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) fined EasyJet €4.5 million in September 2025 after discovering that the “standard ticket price” excluded mandatory “pre‑selection” of a checked bag.
- Use the “All‑inclusive” Filter – Most airline search engines now offer an “all‑inclusive price” toggle; enable it to see the full cost before clicking.
- Check the Fare Rules – Look for a “Baggage allowance” table on the booking page; if it’s a link rather than a visible line, verify the amount before confirming.
- Compare Airline Apps vs. Websites – Some low‑cost carriers display different prices on their mobile app; cross‑check both to spot discrepancies.
- Pre‑Pay at Checkout – adding a bag during the initial purchase is typically 20‑30 % cheaper than purchasing at the airport.
- No the EU limits – For flights within the EU, the standard cabin‑bag allowance is 10 kg free on most low‑cost carriers; anything above that is a paid extra.
benefits of Transparent Baggage pricing for the Industry
- Higher Conversion Rates – A 2024 study by the european Travel commission showed a 9 % lift in booking completions when total price was displayed upfront.
- Reduced Customer Service Costs – Airlines reported a 15 % drop in post‑booking complaint calls after implementing full‑price disclosure.
- Improved Brand Reputation – Transparent pricing aligns with the EU’s “Green Deal” consumer‑trust goals,positioning airlines as responsible market players.
Next Steps: Enforcement and Potential Penalties
- The European Commission has set a June 2026 deadline for all EU‑registered carriers to integrate the “total price” widget into their booking engines.
- Non‑compliant airlines risk infringement proceedings, which can lead to fines up to 10 % of annual turnover under Article 7 of the Transparency Directive.
- Member states’ consumer agencies will conduct random spot‑checks on carrier websites every quarter, with findings published on the EU‑Consumer‑Rights portal.
