Eight years ago, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) decided to introduce uniform rules for hand luggage. But the attempt failed. Although the standard was adopted by most airlines, others continued to rely on their own rules and saw the standard more as a guideline.
Instead of uniform regulations, there is still a jungle of tariffs. And it could get worse.
That’s why airlines charge money for hand luggage
Many airlines are taking an even stricter approach. In many cases, travelers are no longer allowed to use the luggage rack. You should only take one piece of luggage with you that fits under the front seat.
The aim is to reduce the time spent in the cabins while stowing luggage.
From 2024 onwards, security checks will also be a little quicker for hand luggage.
Because the airline industry is lacking staff. The situation is dramatic because many training positions remain unfilled. At the travel congress of the German Travel Association (DRV), DRV Vice President Ulrike Katz, Managing Director of Just Zarges, said: “47 percent of the companies were recently unable to fill their training positions and 30 percent received no applications at all.”
This is another reason why travelers probably have to be prepared for changes. Things should move more quickly at the airports, even if there are staff shortages. The idea behind the hand luggage fee when flying: take less with you, but get to your vacation faster.
In these airlines you have to pay extra for the luggage rack
“If you want to take a small trolley with you that goes into the overhead compartment above the seats, you can pay a little extra or book a different category,” Norwegian’s press office told travel services.
Low-cost airline Ryanair introduced this rule in 2018, and more and more airlines are now following this example.
At Eurowings, hand luggage trolleys have cost ten euros extra for a few years now. The small carry-on bag should fit under the seat and be no larger than a small backpack in which a laptop can be stored.
The Spanish low-cost airline Vueling Airlines is also eliminating luggage for free luggage storage. Travelers can only use this space if they pay for it.
With Easyjet, the trolley is also only included for an additional charge. Travelers must either book a seat with more legroom for around eight euros or a ticket with a flexi fare (from 11 euros each way).
WizzAir charges 25 euros at the counter for the small suitcase. Otherwise the same applies here: Only bags and luggage that fit under the front seat are allowed into the cabin.
For a few days now, SunExpress has also been following the example with “lighter luggage”, the low-cost subsidiary of the joint venture between Lufthansa and Turkish Airlines, and is now only offering one piece of hand luggage in the “Sun Light” tariff weighs four kilos and is smaller– and therefore fits under the seat.
Bulky luggage or larger hand luggage can be checked in for an additional charge.
Before departure, pay attention to the fare you have booked
Due to persistently high inflation, kerosene prices, infrastructure costs and increased supplier costs, travelers must also expect higher flight prices this summer. The airlines could therefore increasingly advertise light and basic tariffs in order to attract customers.
These tariffs appear again and again for most airlines, especially on the Internet. But you should take a closer look here.
Most Economy Light or Economy Basic are usually the cheapest fares. In many cases, only a limited amount of hand luggage is included. Checked baggage, larger bags for the cabin and seat reservations cost extra. Rebooking and cancellation of tickets are generally not possible. Anyone who chooses a light ticket will receive a range of services that are similar to the conditions of a low-cost airline. Extras cost extra.
Travelers should take a close look at flight portals and airline websites to see which economy fare they are booking and which included services. “Not everything is cheap,” says the Brandenburg Consumer Center. An expert advises: “In the end, you may end up paying additional costs.”