The prices of carry-on luggage on planes are skyrocketing, here's why

undefined 30 mai 2024 undefined 06h00

The Editor

©tong patong

It's starting to hurt the wallet as summer approaches... If flight prices seem significantly higher to you, it's completely normal, as many airlines are now charging extra for carry-on luggage.

You innocently tried to book some plane tickets as if nothing was wrong. Here you are, at the dreaded moment of payment, filled with all the excitement possible. But oh no: your small cabin suitcase is not included in the flight price at all. Even worse, you are being charged several tens of euros for it! Suddenly, the idyllic and initially affordable vacation tastes bitter. Since the beginning of 2024, many airlines have changed their baggage policies, especially regarding cabin baggage. Just a few days ago, a video of a traveler removing the wheels from his suitcase to avoid paying a 70€ supplement with Ryanair sparked reactions from millions of internet users. Smaller sizes, higher prices... What explains these new measures?


For Economic Reasons

It's a growing trend among low-cost airlines . EasyJet, Ryanair, Transavia, WizzAir…. They are gradually starting to charge extra for each bag, where previously carry-on baggage was included in the flight price. " Everyone is doing it because all the companies see that, with this method, Ryanair is even more successful at filling its planes ", explains Aymé, transport specialist at Sia Partners, in La Dépêche. The logic is mainly economic. A larger and heavier bag will require more.When it comes to boarding and disembarking time, a heavy and larger-sized baggage takes more time than a light and smaller one. Time spent on the ground is not time spent in the air to make another flight. And time is money. Additional fees range from 11€ to 70€ The prices for these "supplements" vary greatly from one company to another. With Ryanair, adding a cabin bag weighing a maximum of 10 kg can cost between 11.99€ and 29.99€. On the other hand, with Volotea, the cabin bag is free if you have selected the "priority boarding" option. Otherwise, the baggage will be charged 65€. With EasyJet, a small handbag is accepted for free, however, a cabin bag measuring 56x45x25 cm will cost between 20€ and 60€ depending on the date and destination.

This code will load the Instagram embed script onto the webpage. So get ready to share some awesome Insta posts! 😉📸