The latest on cabin baggage fees on low-cost European airlines.
With summer approaching and travel returning to near pre-pandemic levels, you may be thinking about traveling to Europe. A popular ticketing choice is flying to a main destination, such as Paris or Madrid or Frankfort, then catching a low-cost European carrier to your final destination.
By now, travelers are used to paying extra fees to check luggage. Recently, some low-cost carriers have also started charging for the right to bring on board a cabin-sized rollaboard (“trolley” on the other side of the ocean). So a flight on EasyJet that looks to be a bargain on Google Flights when compared to a trip on a full-service airline such as British Airlines may actually be more pricey after carry-on baggage fees are added.
The evolution of baggage fees
There are two types of baggage: carry-on and checked (or hold) luggage. The latter almost always incurs a fee, unless you’re flying on a full-service carrier in a premium cabin or have elevated frequent flier status.
When checked baggage fees began to be imposed, carry-on luggage remained free, leading many people to cram their things in a carry-on size bag, which led to overcrowding of the overhead cabin bins. In response, low-cost airlines began charging for the right to bring on a carry-on bag, with the only thing you’re allowed to bring on for free a smaller bag or backpack that fits under the seat in front of you.
Baggage fees on low-cost European carriers
While the charge for checked luggage is fairly uniform among Europe’s low-cost carriers, there can be big differences when it comes to carry-on rollaboards; some charge, others, don’t. Here are the current carry-on luggage charges for the major European low-cost carriers.
EasyJet
Carry-on rollaboard: €10-€70 (free if Up Front or Extra Legroom seats are pruchased)
Flybe
Carry-on rollaboard: Free
Jet2.com
Carry-on rollaboard: Free
Ryanair
Carry-on rollaboard: €6-€14 (free if Priority service is purchased)
TUI Airways
Carry-on rollaboard: Free
WizzAir
Carry-on rollaboard: €5-€35 (must purchase Wizz Priority)
Baggage fees on full-service European carriers
On most full-service carriers, carry-on luggage is still free. When booking, you pick either an Economy fare with baggage or an Economy fare without. If you choose the fare without baggage, you can add a bag for a fee later.
Twist’s Take: Be sure to include cabin baggage fees when comparing prices among low-cost European carriers.