Million dollar lawsuit: Consumer advocates demand free hand luggage for everyone!

Million dollar lawsuit: Consumer advocates demand free hand luggage for everyone!

The dispute over hand luggage on planes is increasingly turning into a legal skirmish. The Federal Association of Consumer Organizations (vzbv) and European partner organizations are urgently calling for an increase in free hand luggage for passengers. But the airlines show little understanding and see the limited storage space as a lucrative source of income. There are currently no clear EU guidelines for defining “appropriate hand luggage”, which means the guidelines vary greatly depending on the airline. Ryanair, for example, only allows one small bag with a maximum dimension of 40 x 30 x 20 cm free of charge, while larger items of luggage charge hefty fees of between 6 and 75 euros. This practice is described by vzbv board member Ramona Pop as “cost traps” and has already led to legal action against various low-cost airlines, including EasyJet, Wizz Air and Vueling.

Overall, vzbv does not view hand luggage as an additional service. He points to a 2014 ruling by the European Court of Justice that states that no fees can be charged for hand luggage as long as its size and weight remain within reasonable limits. However, many airlines charge fees for carry-on luggage, which should normally be included in the price of the flight. This has now led to warnings from four other airlines, including Norwegian Air and Transavia.

The demands of consumer advocates

Consumer advocates are calling for a uniform European-wide regulation that stipulates that passengers can take one piece of hand luggage with them free of charge, weighing up to 10 kg and with a minimum edge dimension of 115 cm. In addition, a small personal item, such as a handbag or laptop backpack, should be included in the ticket price. This initiative is coordinated by the umbrella organization BEUC, which has also filed a complaint with the EU Commission against seven low-cost airlines. Flights from airlines such as Ryanair, Easyjet and Wizz Air often only allow you to take a small piece of hand luggage that can be stowed under the seat for free, while anything beyond that is subject to a charge.

There are currently several proceedings before various higher regional courts in Germany, including in Berlin, Frankfurt am Main and Hamm, in which the airlines' practices are being questioned. Consumer advocates criticize the unclear hand luggage regulations and call on the EU to introduce more precise regulations for the permitted dimensions and weights of hand luggage. This reform of air passenger rights is seen as an opportunity to create clearer guidelines and offer travelers more planning security. Airlines for Europe (A4E), however, reject additional regulations and argue that customers who book cheap fares must accept these conditions.

Impact on the market

However, airlines are faced with a dilemma when it comes to hand luggage and fees. While airlines such as Lufthansa and Condor already offer their passengers a piece of hand luggage and a small bag including the ticket price, others are sticking to their strict rules. Airbus has even developed larger overhead bins that promise a more efficient use of storage space and can shorten the boarding process by up to six minutes.

In the current debate about hand luggage fees and regulations, it is clear that consumer advocates are seeking far-reaching changes to improve travel comfort. The issue remains highly topical and the situation could also have an impact on future air passenger rights, which are being discussed in Brussels. However, passengers still have to expect different ways of dealing with airlines, which represents a clear challenge for all travelers.

Further information on the legal disputes and the airlines' positions can be found in the reports from Cosmo, Consumer advice center and daily news.