THREE of the UK’s biggest budget airlines have cut their carry on baggage allowance by half.
The shrinkage comes as flyers are stung with whopping fees of up to £40, even if the bags are the same size as they were just years ago.
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Budget airlines RyanAir, easyJet and Wizz Air have all reduced the standard size of luggage they take, according to an investigation by the BBC‘s Rip Off Britain.
RyanAir had the largest shrink in luggage, down 55 per cent from 2018.
The changes mean that travellers flying with the Irish airline can now only carry on luggage up to 40 x 20 x 25cm.
RyanAir have dismissed the BBC’s claims, labelling them as “false”.
Similarly, Wizz Air will now only allow a maximum carry on bag size of 40 x 30 x 20cm, down from 50 x 40 x 23cm in September 2018.
Luton based easyJet have a more generous allowance of 45 x 36 x20cm with a maximum weight of 15kg, but this is down from 56 x 45 x25cm in 2021.
An easyJet spokesperson said the airline had one of the most generous allowances with a free small under seat bag for free.
The spokesperson said: “Like most European short haul airlines we also offer the option to bring a large cabin bag onboard from just £5.99.”
Each airline allows travellers to pay an additional fee to board with the bigger bag size, but in some instances this can almost double the overall cost of flying.
The consumer brand Which? found in a recent report that the additional fees charged by so-called “low cost” airlines can leave them being more expensive than their competitors who have not reduced their allowance.
For example TUI, Jet2 and British Airways have maintained their allowance since 2018.
Which? conducted several test flights with various airlines and found British Airways had the most generous baggage allowance, offering three times as much as the smallest, Ryanair.
Lucy and Graham Corgan went on their honeymoon to Crete in September 2022, but had it spoiled by a baggage fine.
Lucy was charged €29 to bring her luggage on board – the fee for a large cabin bag – despite it fitting in the measure.
Husband Graham said: “I turned around to hear Lucy being told that she’s in possession of a bag that is far too big for the overhead baggage, it was hold baggage and as such she would be charged to bring the cabin bag onto the flight.
“I was very angry. It’s not a lot of money but it’s the principle,” said Graham.
easyJet later refunded the €29.
Wizz Air has been contacted for comment.
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