After carrying out an analysis on hand luggage policies in 19 airlines operating in Spain, the consumer organization Facua has found that, in addition to the four airlines that have already been sanctioned by the Government, there are three others that also contradict the law in this matter. These are: Eurowings, Transavia and Wizz Air, which Facua has reported to the Ministry of Social Rights, Consumption and Agenda 2030.
If the Government approves Facua’s complaint, these three airlines would face a million-dollar fine, while the four airlines already fined; Ryanair, Easyjet, Vueling and Volotea have been fined a total of 150 million euros, making this the largest sanction imposed by the General Secretariat of Consumer Affairs and Gaming for grievances against consumers.
As Facua has detected, Transavia, Eurowings and Wizz Air apply extra costs to their rates for being able to carry hand luggage, or charge it as an extra at the airport if it had not been hired. This contradicts the European regulations in force since October 2023, which allow one piece of hand luggage to be transported free of charge.
They imposed exaggerated limitations
As reported by the organization, the three airlines forced the user to contract a higher rate due to the great limitations they imposed on free bags. If they did not comply with the measures allowed by these airlines, passengers had to pay an extra on each journey, even for packages weighing less than 8 kilos. Wizz Air and Transavia only allowed one free bag of 40x30x20 centimeters, while Eurowings allowed one of 40x30x25 centimeters, that is, practically the same.
To be able to board with carry-on luggage larger than these measurements, Wizz customers had to choose between the Wizz Smart, Go or Plus rate, which do allow a suitcase or backpack of up to 10 kilos. Transavia required contracting its Plus or Max rates to be able to carry a package of up to 10 kilos, while at Eurowings you had to contract the Smart or BIZclass rates to be able to carry a package weighing up to 8 kilos.
They face a similar fine
In this way, the three airlines mentioned above face fines for very similar reasons, since, as happened to the four airlines already sanctioned, more reasons could be added in addition to the charge for hand luggage. In their case, they were also punished for charging for seat selection when traveling with dependent people, such as people with disabilities or minors, for prohibiting payment in cash when purchasing tickets at airports, for omission of information and for lack of clarity in published prices.
In addition to the corresponding financial penalty, if the Government finally accepts the accusation, it will also require them to modify their luggage policy so that it adapts to the current standard, constituting an improvement in the conditions that travelers will enjoy. Those who do not believe that this represents an improvement are the employers. TO THEwhich brings together companies in the airline sector and which criticized at the time the decision to sanction four airlines for this reason, alleging that it would make Spanish destinations less attractive internationally.
As Facua recalls, the Navigation Law states that “the carrier will be obliged to transport free of charge in the cabin, as hand luggage, the objects and packages that the traveler carries with him”, as long as this luggage does not pose risks. of safety in context of the characteristics of the aircraft.
