Really? Budget airline to charge passengers for hand luggage

PA

Being charged €50 for hand luggage that is deemed overweight can put a real sting in any journey (yes Ryanair, we're talking about you) - but now one low-cost airline is introducing a fee for all carry-on luggage over a certain size.

Hungarian carrier Wizz Air will charge travellers €10 (£7.90) for a bag that is over 42cm x 32cm x 25cm.

Bags measuring 55cm x 40cm x 20 cm or larger, or those which weigh over 10kg, will still have to be checked into the hold, for a fee of €20 (£17) on flights of under one hour and 50 minutes, and €25 (£21) on longer journeys.

But, according to the airline, it's al in the name of our comfort and convenience.

A spokesman for the airline told the Telegraph: "Wizz Air will now improve the least popular part of flying – the often stressful and inconvenient boarding process.

"We believe an online fee as low as €10 for large cabin baggage will encourage most passengers to bring only one small cabin bag that could easily fit under the seat."

But Bob Atkinson, from travel supermarket.com, described Wizz Air's maximum size for free hand luggage as "tiny".

He told the Daily Mail: "If you are trying to avoid paying to check in bags by using hand luggage, this is bad news.

"It forces people to travel with next to nothing if they don't want to pay extra."

He added: "Customers are unlikely to be happy at having to pay for something that they have previously taken for granted.

"I would be horrified if I saw other airlines following this idea - but I wouldn't be surprised to see other budget carriers looking at this.

"It's all about revenue."

According to the Telegraph, Easyjet said it had no plans to introduce a similar charge, while Ryanair declined to comment.

Trials will begin on routes between Luton and Katowice, Poland, from 1 August and, if successful, the policy will be rolled out to all of its 244 routes, which include Prague, Warsaw and Split.

See more annoying airport fees here:

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