Airline passengers are being hit with £48 fines for hand luggage that ‘fits’ due to confusing restriction
HOLIDAYMAKERS jetting off with budget airlines this summer have been warned to check two things before heading to the airport.
Plenty of travellers fall victim to carriers’ strict luggage size policies, with fines handed out to those whose bags are over the limits.
The problem a lot of passengers encounter is that their handles or wheels end up catching them out, with a lot of people not realising they’re included in the airline’s maximum bag size.
Both must be taken into account when measuring bags and suitcases, in order for them to be accepted onto the aircraft, without any fines.
That means anyone whose bags don’t fit into the size checkers at the airport, or if the handles or wheels are poking out of the top, will end up having to fork out for the mistake.
With schools now broken up for the summer, airlines have reminded passengers that they need to follow these rules.
That includes easyJet, which has told its customers to check before they travel.
It said: “If you think your luggage might be bigger than your allowance, please measure it.
“Don’t forget to include any handles and wheels, and check it against your allowed size.
“If it’s too big you can add additional baggage in your account before you check in.”
Currently, the easyJet rules state that each customer is entitled to a small cabin bag, 45cm x 36cm x 20cm, with the airline’s website reminding passengers that wheels and handles are included in that.
It cannot exceed 15kg in weight and has to fit under the seat in front.
The easyJet website also states that the fine for any non-purchased bag brought to the departure gate that is over a customer’s small cabin bag allowance is £48.
Therefore it’s always worth measuring all cases, including wheels and handles to make sure they’re compliant with the sizing regulations.
EasyJet isn’t the only airline to warn holidaymakers about what is and isn’t included in their hand luggage allowances.
Jet2‘s website also clearly warns its passengers that wheels and handles are included in its size limit of 10kg in weight and is no larger than 56cm x 45cm x 25cm.
Hand luggage rules for UK airlines
We’ve rounded up how much hand luggage you can take on UK airlines when booking their most basic fare.
Ryanair
One personal bag measuring no more than 40cm x 20cm x 25cm
EasyJet
One personal bag measuring no larger than 45cm x 36cm x 20cm
Jet2
One personal item that fits underneath the seat in front and one cabin bag no larger than 56cm x 45cm x 25cm weighing up to 10kg
TUI
One personal item that its underneath the seat in front and one cabin bag no larger than 55cm x 40cm x 20cm weighing up to 10kg
British Airways
One personal bag no larger than 40cm x 30cm x 15cm and one cabin bag no larger than 56cm x 45cm 25cm weighing up to 23kg
Virgin Atlantic
One personal item that fits underneath the seat in front and one cabin bag no larger than 56cm x 36cm x 23cm weighing up to 10kg
The website clearly states that this is “including wheels and handles”.
Jet2 passengers are also permitted to bring on a small personal bag that fits under the seat in front of them.
Anyone whose bags exceed these limits will need to check them into the aircraft hold, and may have to pay an additional charge.
That fee is £45 per item that has to be added to the hold on the day of flying.
Meanwhile, Sun Travel tested this viral hand luggage bag that prevents passengers from having to pay excess baggage fees.
And this other hand luggage only option is cheap and fits within airlines’ restrictions.
