Consumer groups are calling on the European Union to take action against budget airlines that continue to charge passengers for hand luggage, despite a top EU court ruling that such fees are illegal.
The European Consumer Organisation (BEUC), which represents 44 consumer groups across Europe, has urged Brussels to investigate the baggage fee policies of seven carriers, including Ryanair, easyJet, and Wizz Air.
Agustín Reyna, BEUC’s Director General, accused airlines of exploiting passengers and ignoring legal precedent. “Haven’t we all experienced the fear of our hand baggage not fitting in the airline’s sizers and being charged extra fees?” he said.
Charges for hand luggage have become commonplace, with most low-cost carriers now offering only a small under-seat bag for free.
Additional carry-on items often incur extra costs, and penalties apply if bags are deemed too large at the gate.
For instance, Ryanair allows a small personal item onboard at no cost, but oversized bags detected at the gate result in a £60 fee. Pre-booked larger cabin bags range from £6 to £36, while last-minute stowage can cost up to £75.
Spain has emerged as a flashpoint in the growing backlash.
The country’s Consumer Rights Ministry fined five airlines, including Ryanair, €179m (£150m) last year for charging passengers for hand luggage and seat selection.
Earlier this month, a Spanish judge ordered Ryanair to refund a passenger €147 for hand luggage fees applied over five flights. The judge ruled that carry-on bags were an “essential element of passenger transportation” and should not incur a separate fee.
The case was supported by Spanish consumer group Facua, which has been campaigning against what it calls “illegal surcharges” since 2018.
easyJet’s CEO Kenton Jarvis defended the airline’s policy, saying many customers prefer not to pay for extras. “A third of our customers take no ancillaries and are happy with the smaller free cabin bag,” he said.
Jarvis added that allowing everyone to bring larger bags previously caused logistical issues and delays. “It’s better to ask travellers to pay for what they want,” he said.
Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary was more combative, rejecting the Spanish rulings and describing the country’s consumer minister as “mad”.
He argued Spain was invoking outdated laws predating its EU membership, and accused the government of breaching European regulations.
“It’s a clear breach of European regulations,” O’Leary said, insisting Ryanair would not change its policy and that the matter would ultimately be resolved in the European courts.
O’Leary said passengers were not demanding change and claimed that recent court decisions were isolated local rulings driven by consumer groups.
However, BEUC argues that a revision of EU air passenger rights offers the opportunity to clarify what basic ticket prices should include. “Our data shows that consumers expect to see a small item and a piece of hand luggage when buying basic tickets,” Reyna said.
He called for clear rules on the acceptable size and weight of hand luggage to avoid confusion at airports and reduce disputes.
Aviation law expert Kevin Bodley said the Spanish court’s decision sends a strong signal against hidden fees. Although not binding in the UK, the ruling could influence broader legal and consumer debates.
Bodley noted that stronger protections may ultimately lead to higher base fares. “The end result suggests an increasing level of protection for passengers, but airlines may respond by raising overall ticket prices,” he said.