Consumer group complains against baggage rules of budget airlines

BEUC has filed a formal complaint against seven low-cost airlines including RyanAir

The European Consumer Organisation (BEUC) has lodged a formal complaint against seven low-cost airlines, accusing them of unlawfully charging passengers for hand luggage. The complaint, submitted to the European Commission and Consumer Protection Cooperation Network, argues these fees violate EU law and a 2014 court ruling.

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European Consumer Organisation (BEUC), a coalition of European consumer organisations, has filed a formal complaint against seven low-cost airlines, including EasyJet, Norwegian Air Shuttle, Ryanair, Transavia, Volotea, Vueling and Wizz Air, claiming that their hand luggage fee policies violate EU consumer protection laws.

In its complaint lodged with European Commission and the Consumer Protection Cooperation Network (CPC), BEUC argues that these airlines impose unjustified charges on passengers for carrying hand luggage that meets reasonable size and weight requirements. This practice, they contend, contravenes a 2014 ruling by the European Court of Justice, which deemed that hand luggage, provided it complies with safety and size standards, should not incur additional fees.

In a statement, BEUC adds that the airlines’ ongoing fees disregard this legal obligation, leading to widespread confusion and inconsistent practices across the EU.

“Today we are taking action against seven airlines who are exploiting consumers and are ignoring the EU top court who ruled that charging reasonably sized hand baggage is illegal,” says Agustín Reyna, Director General, BEUC.

The statement adds that BEUC’s Spanish member, OCU (Organización de Consumidores y Usuarios), previously brought the issue to national authorities, triggering a significant response. In late 2024, the Spanish Ministry of Social Rights and Consumption fined five budget airlines a total of EUR 179 million for what it described as “abusive hand baggage practices.” Ryanair faced the steepest fine, EUR 107 million, followed by Vueling with EUR 39 million, and EasyJet at EUR 29 million.

Additionally, BEUC’s Belgian affiliate, Testachats/Test-Aankoop, filed a similar complaint in May 2024. It later escalated the case by launching a court action specifically against Ryanair.

In response to these complaints, RyanAir asserted that its baggage rules are clearly presented during booking and remain optional for consumers. However, BEUC argued that these add-ons are often misleading, presented late in the booking process or impossible to avoid without paying significantly more.