Airlines serving France to face legal action over hand luggage fees
It is a right for passengers and should not be subject to charges, state associations
The fees can sometimes reach over €40
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Several low-cost airlines that travel to and from France are being criticised by European consumer associations over hand luggage fees.
More than a dozen consumer associations, including French UFC-Que Choisir and CLCV have denounced the practice, which sees airlines charge for hand luggage.
These associations belong to the European bureau of consumer rights (Bureau européen des unions de consommateurs, BEUC) and are calling on the European Commission to tighten rules on the matter.
The seven airlines highlighted by the BEUC – Ryanair, easyJet, WizzAir, Volotea, Vueling, Norwegian, and Transavia – are all ‘low-cost’ operators, following a business model of low base fees with optional extras that require additional payment.
Alongside fees for options such as early boarding, hold luggage, and printing physical tickets, this can include charging for hand luggage – something that European rules state is a right - not an option - for passengers.
In addition, associations say the different measurements and charges for this – ranging from between €20 and €43 – make it difficult for passengers to know the true cost of a ticket when booking, or if their current bags fit within the rules.
They are also taking aim at penalties for oversized luggage, which can reach €280 with some airlines.
Hefty fines issued over practice
The BEUC points to a 2014 ruling from the European Court of Justice that states hand luggage is a “necessary part of passenger transport” and should be included in the base price of a ticket, provided it is of a reasonable size.
It wants an investigation in the matter to be set up against the airlines, and for rules to be reinforced over the size dimensions.
In November 2024, Spain fined several low-cost airlines – including some of those listed by the BEUC – €179 million over hand luggage fees.
There was fierce backlash in the industry, including from Ryanair, with the budget carrier calling the fines ‘illegal’.
While the BEUC is mostly looking for a standardisation and reinforcing of the rules, it has not ruled out fines following an investigation.
