The debate over the right to carry hand luggage on airplanes has reached a new dimension. Consumer protection associations from across Europe, led by the German Federal Association of Consumer Organizations (vzbv), are taking legal action to force airlines to give their passengers more free space for their hand luggage in the cabin.
However, the airlines, especially the low-cost carriers, insist on their restrictive regulations, arguing that they are efficient and have the freedom to set fares on a modular basis. At its core, the issue is the interpretation of EU regulations and the question of what constitutes "appropriate hand luggage." Airlines are increasingly using the space above the seats as a source of revenue, while consumer associations denounce it as a "cost trap" for unsuspecting travelers.
“Cost trap” hand luggage: The legal dispute
The German Consumer Protection Association (vzbv), together with European partners, has launched an offensive against airlines' hand luggage policies. The consumer advocates argue that the current regulations, which often only allow a small bag to be carried free of charge, do not meet the expectations and needs of travelers. Ramona Pop, board member of the vzbv, speaks of "cost traps" that particularly affect passengers who only realize at the boarding gate that their luggage is too large and then have to pay expensive surcharges.
EU legislation remains vague in its definition of "reasonable hand luggage," and airlines are exploiting this ambiguity. The German Federation of Consumer Organizations (vzbv) demands that, in addition to a small personal bag, a rolling suitcase with the recommended dimensions of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) (e.g., 55x40x20 cm, corresponding to an external length of 115 cm) should be allowed in the cabin free of charge. Rolling suitcases of this size have been sold as hand luggage for years, but on most direct flights, especially with so-called "low-cost carriers," they incur a considerable surcharge, which, according to a study by the European Consumer Organisation BEUC, can range from €6 to €75.
Consumer protection groups have issued warnings to a number of direct airlines in this context. These include Norwegian Air, Ryanair, Transavia, Volotea, Easyjet, Wizz Air, and Vueling . Lawsuits have already been filed against the latter three airlines in German courts. At the same time, a dispute is underway at the European level in Brussels between the European Parliament and the member states regarding future air passenger rights, indicating a broader debate in this area.
Airlines defend their business model: efficiency versus consumer interests
Airlines and their associations, such as the European association Airlines for Europe (A4E) and the German Aviation Association (BDL) , reject the demands of consumer protection groups. Their central argument is that millions of passengers consciously choose the inexpensive basic fares, which only include a small piece of hand luggage. Customers have the option of adding extras such as larger hand luggage or checked baggage. Changing the hand luggage rules to allow a suitcase free of charge would require distributing these costs among all passengers, thus increasing the price of basic fares.
A4E members recently announced their intention to implement a uniform minimum size of 40x30x15 cm after the summer season. More generous regulations that some airlines have had in the past will continue to apply at the airlines' discretion.
Internal documents and statements, such as those from EasyJet , also indicate that the strict hand luggage rules offer operational advantages. Less hand luggage in the cabin leads to more efficient boarding and improved punctuality, as aircraft can be prepared for takeoff more quickly. If too many large pieces of luggage are brought on board, delays often occur because the overhead compartments become full and the last remaining items have to be checked in.
Space in the cabin: A question of configuration
The debate is further fueled by the physical availability of space in aircraft cabins. Aircraft manufacturers like Airbus and Boeing offer airlines the option of installing larger overhead bins. Airbus even advertises with the slogan "There's enough room for everyone" and promises that the larger bins can shorten the boarding process by up to six minutes. For a standard Ryanair 737 MAX 8 aircraft with 197 seats, Boeing specifies a capacity of 174 pieces of luggage.
But this space doesn't necessarily have to be provided free of charge. Cabin configuration and pricing for additional services are entirely in the hands of the airlines. Airbus even promises airlines revenue of up to $500.000 per aircraft if they install larger compartments and sell the space for additional carry-on baggage.
Airlines like Lufthansa and Condor pursue a different policy on some routes. On short- and medium-haul flights that serve as feeder flights for long-haul flights, these network carriers typically include a small suitcase and a personal bag in the ticket price. This is because the numerous connecting passengers are not supposed to need a separate carry-on bag. However, even in the cheapest fares on tourist destinations or long-haul flights, the restriction to just one small piece of carry-on baggage often applies. The German Federation of Consumer Organizations' (vzbv) decision to take the matter to court could determine the future of carry-on baggage. The courts must now clarify whether the airlines' carry-on baggage policies are compatible with European regulations and whether the practices, denounced as "cost traps," are legal.