An internal email has revealed that ground staff at seven UK airports, including Birmingham, Glasgow, and Newcastle, are receiving rewards for detecting oversized hand luggage from EasyJet passengers. They receive a reward of £1,20 for each bag identified and checked in.
This bonus system, aimed at more consistently enforcing the airline's strict carry-on baggage policy, is part of a broader strategy by low-cost airlines to generate additional revenue. At the same time, the European Union is planning to introduce uniform rules for free carry-on baggage, which could fundamentally change the business model of low-cost airlines and has already resulted in significant fines in Spain.
The reward model: An incentive for strict baggage checks
Air travel with European low-cost airlines is often associated with strict hand luggage regulations. Passengers must adhere to strict size restrictions, and using the overhead compartments often incurs an additional charge. Anything that doesn't fit under the seat in front of them is usually intercepted at the gate and must be checked in at a cost. It has now been revealed that ground staff at seven airports in the United Kingdom and the Channel Islands are explicitly rewarded for identifying such oversized items of baggage from EasyJet passengers before boarding.
A leaked email sent to staff in November 2023 by Swissport employee Dean Martin confirms this bonus scheme. According to the email, employees participating in the program are "entitled to £1,20 (£1 after tax) for each bag checked in at the gate." The memo describes the initiative as a way to "reward agents who are doing the right thing" and clarifies that internal tracking would be used for support and training as needed. The system is in use at airports including Birmingham International, Glasgow, Jersey, and Newcastle.
This practice is not limited to Easyjet and Swissport. DHL Supply Chain, another ground handling service provider, also pays its employees at airports such as London Gatwick, Bristol, and Manchester bonuses for identifying non-compliant cabin baggage on certain flights. While the exact amounts were not disclosed, they were described as "nominal." Such incentive schemes send a clear signal to staff to strictly enforce airline baggage policies and help maximize revenue from ancillary services.
The baggage policy of low-cost airlines: source of income and annoyance
The hand luggage policy of airlines like EasyJet is a recurring source of frustration for many travelers, yet also a lucrative source of revenue for the airlines. According to EasyJet's website, passengers are currently allowed to bring one small piece of hand luggage on board free of charge, provided it fits under the seat in front. The maximum permitted dimensions are 45 x 36 x 20 cm , including handles and wheels. For those wishing to bring a larger piece of hand luggage (up to 56 x 45 x 25 cm), it is possible to add this to their booking for a fee. This fee starts at approximately US$8,14 (£5,99) and varies depending on the route.
The problem arises when passengers arrive at the gate with an oversized piece of hand luggage that wasn't pre-booked . In this case, a significantly higher fee is charged to stow the bag in the aircraft's hold – this can amount to as much as US$65,25 (£48). This stands in stark contrast to the original "low-cost" promises and often leads to frustration and resentment among passengers. EasyJet has stated that the ground handling companies manage staff compensation directly, without direct oversight from the airline. The airline merely emphasized that its focus is on ensuring that the policies are applied "correctly and consistently in the best interests of all our customers." However, this stance is often questioned by passengers who feel blindsided by the unexpected additional charges.
At most airport gates, airlines set up measuring boxes where passengers are asked to check whether their hand luggage meets the specified dimensions. Those who do not comply with these regulations often have to pay extra. This leads to frequent complaints from passengers who claim to have been unaware of the restrictions or to have taken the same piece of luggage without any problems on previous flights.
Legal disputes and the European reaction
Strict hand luggage policies and the associated fees have repeatedly led to legal disputes in recent years. Several airlines, including EasyJet, have been involved in such conflicts. In 2024, the Spanish Ministry of Consumer Protection fined five low-cost carriers nearly US$203 million (£150 million) . Spanish authorities deemed their practices, such as charging for hand luggage and allowing children to select their seats, to be abusive. EasyJet was ordered to pay approximately US$33 million (£24 million) as part of this measure. This illustrates that the practices of low-cost carriers are increasingly being scrutinized and that regulators are prepared to take firm action.
Opposition to baggage fees has reached European legislation. In June 2025, the European Parliament's Committee on Transport and Tourism supported a proposal that would grant passengers the right to bring one additional piece of hand luggage on board free of charge . Lawmakers justified this move by citing widespread dissatisfaction with airline practices that require extra payment for basic cabin access.
The proposed regulation would allow passengers to carry one piece of hand luggage weighing up to 7 kilograms (15,43 pounds) with combined dimensions of no more than 100 cm, along with one personal item. This regulation would apply to all airlines operating within the EU and would effectively standardize hand luggage rules, regardless of the airline's fare structure. This would have far-reaching consequences for low-cost carriers, as it would fundamentally change their business model, which relies heavily on ancillary charges. According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), ancillary charges, particularly for baggage, are a significant component of low-cost carriers' revenue. Such an EU-wide regulation would considerably reduce this source of income.
The challenge for low-cost airlines: adapting to new rules
However, the proposed EU measure still needs to be approved by at least 55 percent of EU member states before it can enter into force. If passed, it would apply to all flights within the EU, as well as routes between the EU and non-member countries. This would force low-cost airlines, including EasyJet, to revise their current fee-based baggage models.
For airlines like EasyJet, which was founded in 1995 and has established itself as a low-cost carrier, the impact would be significant. With hubs at major airports such as Amsterdam Schiphol, Berlin Brandenburg, Geneva, London Gatwick, London Luton, and Milan Malpensa, EasyJet has developed a business model based on low base fares and generating ancillary revenue through baggage fees, seat reservations, and other services. Standardizing free carry-on baggage rights would undermine this strategy and force airlines to reassess their pricing structures and service offerings. This could lead to an increase in base fares to compensate for the lost revenue from baggage fees or to greater differentiation in the fares offered. At first glance, this might appear positive for consumers, as they can expect greater transparency and uniform rules. In the long term, it remains to be seen how the competitive landscape in European air transport will develop under such conditions.
A change in European air transport is imminent
The revelations about bonus payments for detecting oversized hand luggage shine a spotlight on the aggressive revenue strategies of low-cost airlines. While airlines like EasyJet emphasize that they simply want to apply their policies correctly and consistently, many passengers perceive the resulting additional charges as arbitrary and unfair.
The increasing legal action against these practices, such as the heavy fines in Spain, and the initiatives at the European legislative level demonstrate that the pressure on low-cost airlines is growing. EU-wide standardization of hand baggage rights could significantly change these airlines' business models and reshape competition in European air transport. For travelers, this could mean more clarity and fewer hidden costs, while forcing airlines to adapt their strategies to remain profitable.