Benjamin Till’s attempt to avoid baggage fees for his trip to Pisa led him on a determined search for a suitcase that would meet EasyJet’s free underseat bag size limit. After careful measuring with a tape measure and visiting several stores, he found a case he believed fit within the airline’s requirements. However, at London Gatwick Airport in December 2023, Till was told the bag was too large due to the inclusion of its wheels.
Although he protested, he ended up paying a £48 fee to bring it onboard and was advised to remove the wheels for the return trip. Despite doing so, the bag was again deemed oversized on the way back, leading to a humiliating situation where he had to repack his belongings into a bin bag at the gate.
EasyJet responded to the incident by stating that baggage rules are made clear at booking and that ground crew must enforce size limits for safety reasons. Still, Till’s experience is not isolated. Many passengers have voiced similar frustrations on social media, calling out what they see as confusing or inconsistent baggage policies.
The issue lies in the fact that budget airlines have varying definitions of acceptable personal and cabin bag sizes. When passengers misjudge these limits, they often face steep fees to upgrade or check their bags, adding to the confusion and financial burden.
EU Proposes Standard Baggage Sizes but Omits Overhead Bag Charges in New Rules
In response to growing public outcry, the European Union has taken steps toward addressing these concerns. The EU’s largest consumer group is advocating for more consistent and fair hand luggage rules. In June 2025, EU transport ministers proposed standardised measurements for free underseat baggage across EU-based airlines—specifically, 40x30x15cm, including wheels and handles.
If approved by the European Parliament, this could become law, affecting travel within and between EU nations, as well as flights involving non-EU countries on EU carriers like EasyJet, Ryanair, and Wizz Air.
Man Forced to Use Bin Bag After Airline Rejects Approved Suitcase Despite Meeting Size LimitsAlthough the EU’s proposed changes could bring some clarity, they fall short in certain areas. Notably, the proposals do not address overhead cabin bags, meaning airlines would still be permitted to charge extra for larger carry-on luggage.
This omission has drawn criticism from consumer groups like BEUC, which argue that the proposals don’t go far enough and, in some ways, legitimize existing “abusive” practices. For example, Spain recently fined five airlines €179 million for charging passengers extra for hand luggage, a decision the airlines plan to appeal.
Calls Grow for Fairer, Simpler, and Consistent Baggage Rules Across All Airlines
Budget airlines defend their current policies by arguing that unbundled services, including baggage charges, help keep fares low and allow customers to pay only for what they use. Ryanair, for instance, asserts that including additional carry-on bags in base fares would drive up prices for all passengers.
Meanwhile, Airlines For Europe, an industry group, maintains that flexible pricing benefits consumers. However, consumer experts argue for a more unified and transparent approach, stating that inconsistent rules are leading to unnecessary stress, unexpected fees, and disputes at airports.
Consumer advocates and travelers alike are calling for a universal baggage standard. Jane Hawkes, a travel expert, believes that a one-size-fits-all rule would simplify travel and reduce confusion. She advises passengers to measure their bags after packing, as full bags can exceed limits.
Mr. Till, who experienced firsthand how restrictive and confusing current rules can be, supports this idea strongly. While he acknowledges the affordability of his flight and stay in Italy, he insists that consistent rules across all airlines would create a fairer, more transparent flying experience for everyone.
