If you’ve been following news here over the past year, you’re probably aware that there are cases, claims, changes and confusion going on over what can and can’t be carried onto a plane for free. And now, a move to make it simpler is in danger of adding to the confusion.
The most recent broad-scale move is an agreement among European airlines, represented by their lobbying group Airlines for Europe (A4E) on a common size for under-seat bags, which they say they will allow free for every traveler. That’s mostly part of their hope to stave off legislation approved by the European Parliament and now awaiting action by the European Council that would guarantee that and an overhead-sized carry-on.
But the devil is in the details: The size agreed upon, 40 x 30 x 15 cm may be larger than some airlines have allowed, but it is smaller than others. Ryanair, for instance, currently allows 40 x 25 x 20, a bit smaller than the standard, but will now increase that to 40 x 30 x 20, which is both a little bigger than the ‘common’ size, and different in shape. EasyJet, British Airways and a number of other already have larger allowances. So, not really clear yet on a guarantee that what fits one airline will fit all.
Meanwhile, the legislation would require airlines to allow that under-seat bag plus a rollaboard type carry-on, formalizing what the European Court of Justice ruled several years ago, that the right to bring ‘reasonable’ luggage at no additional charge is intrinsically part of flying. Spain has used that ruling to fine a number of airlines millions of euros for violations.
For the airlines, the math is simple: If everyone can bring a free carry-on, they will lose what they have been charging. And, since few planes have enough overhead space for everyone’s bags, they will end up with either a time-sucking mass of gate-checked bags, or will have to restore an ancient practice: free checked bags.
