Different airlines have different baggage standards, so it can be difficult to avoid hidden fees.
Carry-on baggage fees could soon become a thing of the past as the EU aims to simplify ticket prices for air travel.
The European Parliament’s Petitions Committee unanimously adopted a resolution calling on airlines to guarantee that passengers can take their cabin baggage free of charge.
It calls on countries to implement a 2014 European Court of Justice ruling on baggage.
A formal vote on whether to adopt the resolution will be held in the European Parliament in October.
What does a ban on carry-on baggage fees mean for passengers?
The EU wants to solve two big problems: lack of consistency among airlines baggage Policies that cause confusion for passengers. Additionally, unclear advertising where baggage fees may be hidden when purchasing tickets.
In 2014, the European Court of Justice ruled that carry-on baggage that meets “reasonable” size and weight requirements is essential for air travel. The court effectively ruled that passengers did not have to pay the extra fare, but this decision was never enforced.
A new resolution recommends implementing this ruling to eliminate carry-on baggage surcharges. They also want to make it clear to passengers what exactly a “proper” size and weight is.
Weight and size standards can vary widely between airlines. This is a particular problem for passengers who have connecting flights on multiple airlines with different standards and are more likely to have to pay additional fees at the boarding gate.
The EU is also calling on airlines to be more transparent with passengers when providing the following information: additional costseat assignments and flight time fees.
Airlines “cheating travelers by manipulating prices”
The potential ban on carry-on baggage fees is part of a broader effort to simplify ticketing and fees for air travel across the EU.
Earlier this year, Spain’s Consumer Affairs Ministry launched an investigation into several low-cost airlines over baggage fees. Decoupling these fees from the ticket price means airlines can offer competitive prices that do not reflect the total cost paid by passengers, the company said.
Therefore, consumers may be misled into thinking they are receiving a better deal than they actually are. There are also concerns that search engines may give an unfair advantage to airlines that advertise these. Super cheap fares.
Spain’s Jordi Cañas, a lawmaker, said: “Low-cost airlines do business on the price of a ticket by hiding the extra charge for carry-on baggage until the end of the purchase.”
“Europe has already spoken out on this issue, but member states continue to allow airlines to manipulate prices and deceive travelers. This must stop.”
