In the past six years, three of the UK’s major budget airlines have slashed their cabin baggage allowances by as much as 50%.
Ryanair, easyJet, and WizzAir have all tightened their rules on free cabin baggage, making it significantly smaller than it used to be.
According to a BBC One Rip Off Britain investigation, Ryanair has been the most aggressive in reducing cabin bag sizes. Back in 2018, Ryanair passengers could bring a bag measuring up to 55 x 40 x 20 cm without additional charges.
Fast forward to today, and the maximum allowable size has been cut to 40 x 20 x 25 cm, the smallest of any airline reviewed by the BBC.
WizzAir also reduced its baggage allowance, though not as drastically.
In 2018, passengers could carry a bag up to 55 x 40 x 23 cm for free. Now, the limit is 40 x 30 x 20 cm.
EasyJet has similarly scaled back its allowance. Previously, passengers could take a 56 x 45 x 25 cm bag, but now the limit is 45 x 36 x 20 cm, which is still relatively generous compared to other budget airlines.
Airline Responses and Extra Charges
When contacted, a Wizz Air spokesperson defended their policy, saying it has remained unchanged for six years.
They offer a basic fare that includes one small piece of hand luggage (40 x 30 x 20 cm) and an option to upgrade to WIZZ Priority for a larger bag. Passengers bringing extra bags will face fees at the gate.
EasyJet, on the other hand, advertises that they offer some of the most generous baggage limits in the industry.
They allow a small under-seat bag for free and offer larger cabin bags with Extra Legroom or Upfront seats or as a standalone option, giving passengers flexibility in how they pay for additional baggage.
Comparing Costs with British Airways
Recent findings from Which? reveal that British Airways can often be cheaper than budget airlines when all additional fees are considered.
Budget airlines like Ryanair and Wizz Air might advertise low fares, but add-on costs for baggage and seat selection can make them more expensive overall. Which? found that British Airways offered better value on two out of three routes analyzed when compared to Ryanair and Wizz Air.
Consumer Insights
Which? also noted that fees for baggage and seat selection can make up a significant portion of the total ticket price.
For instance, Wizz Air’s additional charges accounted for 49% of the ticket price on average, while easyJet and Ryanair had fees making up 27% and 20%, respectively.
Rory Boland from Which? Travel pointed out that while budget airlines might seem cheap at first glance, added costs can make other options more cost-effective if you need extra services.
In response to the findings, Ryanair labeled the research as “fake news,” while EasyJet maintained that their customers only pay for the extras they choose.
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