The complexity of baggage policies at international airlines has become a significant burden for air travelers in recent years. A recent study by the passenger rights portal AirHelp illustrates the extent of this problem: around 83 percent of passengers in Germany find handling their baggage stressful, while 62 percent describe the existing regulations as confusing.
This lack of transparency has led to 42 percent of travelers already being confronted with unexpected additional fees at the airport because they misinterpreted their airline's specific regulations. An analysis of 25 leading airlines shows that the industry is far from standardized. While some traditional carriers continue to include carry-on baggage, low-cost carriers and increasingly network carriers have introduced fee structures that can significantly impact the final price of a trip. Furthermore, the study reveals a serious lack of information regarding consumer rights: almost 94 percent of respondents are unaware of their legal rights in the event of lost or damaged baggage.
Diverging standards for hand luggage
The days when a classic rolling suitcase was a standard feature on every ticket are over. Eleven of the 25 airlines surveyed now charge extra for a large piece of hand luggage that exceeds the dimensions of a small bag. This trend is particularly evident with airlines like Eurowings, which charges up to €40,13 for a cabin trolley on certain routes. Wizz Air (€28) and Norwegian (€18) also follow this monetary model. In contrast, renowned airlines such as the Lufthansa Group, Air France-KLM, British Airways, and Turkish Airlines continue to offer free hand luggage unless the fare explicitly excludes it.
Besides the costs, the permitted dimensions vary considerably, often posing physical challenges for travelers when packing. British Airways and easyJet are particularly generous in this regard, allowing a volume of up to 63.000 cubic centimeters. At the other end of the spectrum are carriers like Ryanair, Pegasus, and Condor, whose limit is only 44.000 cubic centimeters. This difference of almost 30 percent often determines whether a standard suitcase can be taken into the cabin or must be stowed in the hold at the gate for a hefty fee.
Cost traps with checked baggage
For many air passengers, checked baggage represents not only a financial but also an emotional risk. According to an AirHelp survey, 66 percent of Germans fear losing their suitcase, and one in three travelers has already experienced damage or delays. Financially, the greatest risks lie in weight restrictions and the associated excess baggage fees. The price range for the first checked bag, weighing between 20 and 23 kilograms, is enormous, with differences of up to €123 between the cheapest and most expensive providers.
Surprisingly, Turkish Airlines charges the highest amount for the first piece of luggage in its basic fare on short-haul flights, at €140, while low-cost airlines like Pegasus (€17) and Volotea (€19) are at the lower end of the price scale. The Lufthansa Group and SAS Group, at around €30, are in the middle of the price range. These figures illustrate that the base fare is often only a starting point, and the actual travel costs only become comparable after adding up the baggage options.
Regulations in case of weight exceedances
If a suitcase is heavier than permitted at check-in, two different billing models apply: flat rates per piece of luggage or fees per kilogram. With the flat rate, TAP Air Portugal leads the pack at €110 per suitcase, followed by ITA Airways at €80. Lufthansa's rate is a comparatively moderate €50. The system becomes even more confusing with the kilogram-based billing. Here, Jet2 charges a hefty €16 for every additional kilogram, while easyJet and Norwegian charge €15. Turkish carriers offer more affordable options: Turkish Airlines charges €7 and Pegasus only €5 per kilogram of excess baggage.
These costs escalate particularly on long-haul flights. With TAP Air Portugal, an additional piece of luggage on transatlantic routes can cost up to €235. On average, checked baggage fees rise from €42 on short-haul flights to around €76 on long-haul flights. These massive price increases explain why 54 percent of travelers cite additional fees as one of their biggest concerns when planning flights.
Information deficits and passenger rights
A key finding of the study is the lack of awareness regarding the legal situation in cases of irregularities. While the Montreal Convention and the EU Air Passenger Rights Regulation offer protection in cases of damaged or delayed baggage, 62 percent of Germans are unaware that they are covered by these laws. Even more critical is the lack of knowledge about reporting deadlines: 96 percent of those surveyed do not know the correct timeframe for reporting damage. Damaged baggage must be reported in writing within seven days, while delayed baggage must be reported within 21 days of receipt.
Travel experts therefore strongly advise passengers to file baggage claims immediately at the airport at the Lost and Found counter and to obtain written proof, the so-called Property Irregularity Report (PIR). Without this document, pursuing compensation claims later is virtually impossible. This lack of awareness means that many passengers are left with costs that the airlines are legally obligated to cover.
The analysis underscores the necessity of thorough research before booking any flight. The drastic differences in fee structures make direct price comparisons via flight search engines difficult, as baggage costs often only become transparent in the final booking step. Experts recommend booking baggage online as early as possible, since prices at the airport counter are often significantly higher. Given the high stress levels and widespread confusion among passengers, it remains to be seen whether future regulatory interventions at the EU level will lead to greater harmonization of size and weight limits, thereby increasing transparency in air travel. Until then, packing a suitcase remains a mathematical and financial challenge for millions of vacationers.