Hand luggage madness with low-cost airlines: Will the EU soon pull the plug on the rip-off model?

Flying at a bargain price - but only with an empty bag?

Anyone who travels with low-cost airlines such as Ryanair, Easyjet or Wizz Air knows the game: the flight feels like it costs less than the train ticket to the airport - but woe betide you if your hand luggage is a few centimetres too big. Then it gets expensive. And it is precisely against this that massive resistance is now forming. European consumer advocates, including the German Consumer Association, are submitting an official complaint to the EU Commission. Their accusation: this charging policy is a pure rip-off.

The European umbrella organization BEUC even speaks of "exploitation". The argument: according to a ruling by the European Court of Justice (ECJ) in 2014, no additional fee may be charged for hand luggage - as long as it is a piece of "reasonable size and weight". But here's the catch: what exactly is "reasonable"?

Airlines set their own rules - to the detriment of passengers

Currently, many low-cost airlines only allow you to take a tiny bag with you free of charge - it has to fit under the seat. For a normal cabin trolley, which many travelers have been using for years, you suddenly have to pay an extra 20 to 40 euros. No wonder some people put on three sweaters and two pairs of pants at the same time to save on fees.

The airlines argue that they are free to set their prices for "optional services" - including baggage. Ryanair even announced that it welcomed the complaint to the EU because it "will confirm that Ryanair's baggage policy is fully compliant with EU law".

But this is precisely what consumer advocates doubt. They accuse the airlines of deliberately concealing the actual price with "free baggage allowances" that are too small. What initially looks like a cheap ticket quickly becomes twice as expensive with additional costs for baggage, seat selection and food.

The EU's turn: clear rules instead of opaque tricks

Consumer advocates are therefore calling for the EU to take action. Specifically, the reform of the Air Passenger Rights Regulation should be used to finally create clarity. For example, through a standardized Europe-wide regulation on what is considered "reasonable hand baggage" - both in terms of size and weight.

If low-cost airlines - then please be honest!

It's time to put an end to this jungle of fees. Suddenly paying almost more for a mini suitcase on the plane than for the flight itself is neither fair nor transparent. A flight ticket should not come as a surprise - with hidden costs that only become apparent at the gate. The EU must draw clear lines here. And if Ryanair & Co. don't like it: Maybe it's time for airlines to stop taking their customers for fools.