Wed, 04 Jun 2025

Wed, 04 Jun 2025 How airline fees have turned baggage into billions

The amount carriers now charge for luggage is raising the ire of politicians and consumer groups.
Airlines such as Air Canada and Southwest have started charging passengers for checking in luggage, sparking outrage among politicians and consumer groups. The rising cost of "junk fees" has led to an increase in demand for small suitcases that meet airline dimension limits for carry-on luggage. Many travelers are now opting to bring only hand luggage to avoid the extra charges, which can range from $15 to £200 per suitcase. Some airlines have even started charging for hand luggage, with Ryanair and Easyjet among those imposing fees of up to £6. The global cost of airline extra fees is expected to reach $145bn this year, accounting for 14% of the industry's total revenues. This has caught the attention of politicians in Washington, who are calling for a review of such costs and potential fines on airlines. In contrast, some airlines like IndiGo have chosen not to charge for check-in luggage, instead focusing on streamlining their boarding process to save time and reduce stress for passengers. The growing trend of charging for hand luggage has been met with resistance from consumer groups, who argue that it is unreasonable for airlines to impose additional fees on top of the cost of tickets.
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