Three of the UK’s biggest budget airlines have halved the size of their hand luggage over the past six years.
RyanAir, easyJet and WizzAir have significantly reduced the size of baggage that passengers traveling on their flights can take on board for free.
An investigation by BBC One’s Rip Off Britain found that RyanAir was the worst culprit, reducing the size of their luggage by 55 per cent.
In 2018, the Dublin-based airline allowed passengers to carry luggage with a maximum volume of 55 x 40 x 20 cm.
Today, however, customers can only take a bag measuring 40 x 20 x 25 cm without charging. This is the smallest bag of any airline checked by the BBC investigation.
An investigation by BBC One’s Rip Off Britain, which airs on August 11, found that RyanAir was the worst culprit, reducing the size of their luggage by 55 per cent.
Next in line was WizzAir, whose baggage has shrunk by 52 percent since 2018.
Six years ago, customers could take a 55 x 40 x 23 cm bag on board for free. It has since shrunk to 40 x 30 x 20 cm.
Meanwhile, easyJet previously allowed passengers 56 x 45 x 25cm in free hand luggage, but the size allowance is now 45 x 36 x 20cm – still one of the largest for a budget airline.
All three airlines have been contacted for comment.
A Wizz Air spokesperson said: “Wizz Air’s baggage policy has been the same for the past six years. Wizz Air is committed to providing customers with the lowest possible fares while giving passengers the flexibility to customize their booking by adding only the services they want to pay for.
“Each basic fare ticket entitles passengers to one free carry-on bag, which must fit under the seat (maximum dimensions 40 x 30 x 20 cm). For passengers who need more hand luggage, WIZZ priority can be purchased, which includes a trolley bag (up to 55 x 40 x 23 cm).
“Passengers who bring additional baggage on board will be charged at the gate in accordance with Wizz Air policy, and baggage will be stored in the cargo hold if there is no available space on board.”
A spokesman for easyJet said: “easyJet has one of the most generous hand baggage allowances, where all customers can bring a small seat bag into the cabin for free and they have always had this option, and like most European short-haul airlines we also offer the option to take a large cabin baggage from just £5.99, giving customers as much choice and flexibility as possible and ensuring they don’t pay for things they don’t need.’
BA was found to be cheaper in the end when additional charges were added than Ryanair and Wizz Air on two of the three routes
Those who would like more baggage on board will have to pay – with a sliding scale of costs depending on when the additional baggage was purchased.
Wizz Air passengers would have to buy a more expensive priority ticket to get a bigger bag. RyanAir offers the same option, as well as a £36 airport fee.
easyJet charges between £6 and £40 depending on when the bag is booked.
A Wizz Air spokesperson told the programme: “Wizz Air updated its baggage policy at the end of 2018 to ensure a smooth boarding process for passengers and to minimize delays related to hand luggage. Wizz Air is committed to providing customers with the lowest possible fares while giving passengers the flexibility to customize their booking by adding only the services they want to pay for.
“Each basic fare ticket entitles passengers to one free carry-on bag, which must fit under the seat (maximum dimensions 40 x 30 x 20 cm). For passengers who need more hand luggage, WIZZ priority can be purchased, which includes a trolley bag (up to 55 x 40 x 23 cm). Passengers who bring additional baggage on board will be charged at the gate in accordance with Wizz Air policy, and baggage will be stored in the cargo hold if there is no available space on board.”
British Airways is better value for money than its budget rivals when extras such as baggage and seat selection are taken into account. the study found
It comes after the experts at Which? found that British Airways often beats its low-cost competitors when factoring in add-ons.
The experts at Which? found that the low prices advertised by companies such as Ryanair and Wizz Air are not what they seem.
Once the “sneaky fees” covering things like baggage and seat selection are factored in, they have BA as BA.
The findings will dent Ryanair’s claim to be the “low-cost airline” for flights between the UK and holiday hotspots in Europe.
Who? carried out a quick price analysis of three April 2024 routes for return flights from London airports to Malaga, Athens and Naples – returning a week later.
It assessed the fares charged by BA, easyJet, Jet2, RyanAir and Wizz Air based on the headline figure and what people are likely to pay once hand luggage and seat selection fees are added.
British Airways compared to other airlines for a return trip from London to Naples in October this year
Based on this scenario, BA ended up being cheaper than Ryanair and Wizz Air on two of the three routes.
Who? found that baggage and seat selection fees account for 49 percent of the total ticket price on WizzAir when averaged across all three routes.
These fees made up 27 per cent of final costs for easyJet and 20 per cent for Ryanair.
Editor Who? Travel, Rory Boland, said: “It’s easy to assume that budget airlines are always the cheapest option – but if you want to sit next to your kids or take more than a few items of clothing, you’ll increasingly find better prices elsewhere. ‘
Ryanair described the research as “fake news”. EasyJet said: “Our customers only pay for the extras they choose.”