Airlines Faced with Lawsuit Over Charges for Checked Luggage by Consumer Protection Agency - Airlines facing legal action by Consumer Protection Center over excessive hand luggage fees
In a move to protect consumers from hidden fees, the Consumer Protection Center (vzbv) in Europe has called for the European Union to establish clear standards and measurements for free carry-on baggage. The center believes that budget airlines Easyjet, Wizzair, and Vueling Airlines are charging unauthorized fees for carry-on baggage.
According to the 2014 ruling by the European Court of Justice, carrying carry-on baggage is an essential part of passenger transportation and not an extra service provided by the airline. Therefore, airline companies are obligated to transport reasonable carry-on baggage without additional costs, as long as it meets reasonable requirements for weight and dimensions and complies with safety regulations.
However, most European budget airlines, including EasyJet, Vueling, Wizz Air, and Ryanair, follow their own carry-on baggage policies. These airlines generally align with a maximum size of about 55 x 40 x 20 cm for the main bag, sometimes charging extra fees for carry-on luggage beyond a very small personal item.
The lawsuit against Easyjet Airline Company Limited was filed with the Berlin Regional Court, while the lawsuit against WizzAir Hungary Ltd. is with the Frankfurt Higher Regional Court. Proceedings regarding the lawsuits against Easyjet, Wizzair, and Vueling Airlines are ongoing.
The Consumer Protection Center (vzbv) has also issued warnings to seven airlines, including Ryanair. However, it's important to note that Ryanair is not involved in the lawsuits discussed in this article.
The current European Union standards and proposed regulations aim to guarantee passengers the right to bring two items onboard without extra fees: one personal item (e.g., handbag, laptop bag) plus one small carry-on bag weighing no more than 7 kg and measuring up to 100 cm (sum of length, width, and height). However, this rule is still a proposal approved by the European Parliament's transport committee but not yet law, pending approval by member states.
Ryanair, in a proactive move, recently announced adjusting its free personal item size allowance by increasing the allowed dimensions from 40 x 20 x 25 cm to 40 x 30 x 20 cm, a 20% increase slightly exceeding the EU proposal.
This ongoing pressure from consumer protection authorities is part of a broader EU push to overhaul passenger rights laws so that passengers can bring essential carry-on items free of charge across all EU carriers. The European Parliament proposal would require airlines to allow 1 personal item plus 1 carry-on bag (combined dimensions ≤ 100 cm, weight ≤ 7 kg) free of charge. However, precise application depends on forthcoming legislation and airline adoption.
In summary, while formal EU-wide standards for free carry-on baggage are imminent, precise application depends on forthcoming legislation and airline adoption, influenced by legal actions from consumer protection authorities. Passengers can expect more clarity and fee-free carry-on allowances in the near future as the European Union works towards standardizing carry-on baggage policies across all airlines.
- The European Court of Justice (ECSC) has previously ruled that carrying carry-on baggage is an essential part of passenger transportation, thereby obligating airlines to transport reasonable carry-on baggage free of charge under certain conditions.
- The ongoing lawsuits against Easyjet Airline Company Limited, WizzAir Hungary Ltd., and Vueling Airlines, along with warnings issued to seven airlines, including Ryanair, indicate the ECSC's efforts to enforce clear standards and measurements for free carry-on baggage in the industry, particularly within the finance sector of the aerospace industry.
