EasyJet baggage allowance rules changed so only 'premium' passengers get to keep their bags

Airline scraps 'confusing' two-tier system for hand luggage

easyJet has no maximum weight limit for cabin baggage, at least (AFP/Getty)

EasyJet has overhauled its rules regarding hand luggage, meaning only customers paying for premium seats will be guaranteed to keep their bags with them in the cabin.

It means passengers who want to ensure avoiding the baggage carousel at their final destination now need to pay extra for tickets such as “easyJet Plus”, “FLEXI fare” or “Extra Legroom”, regardless of the size of their bags.

Only last month, British Airways became the latest airline to announce that it was reducing its hand baggage allowance in order to “save time whilst boarding” – changes which are being enforced from 11 August.

Under easyJet’s previous rules, all passengers with luggage measuring 50 x 40 x 20cm or less would be allowed to keep it in the cabin. Those who brought hand luggage up to the maximum size of 56cm x 45cm x 25cm risked having it put in the hold on busy flights, though at no extra cost.

The airline seems to have quietly scrapped this two-tier system, which some criticised as confusing, earlier this year. Additional perks have also been introduced for premium travellers, including permission to bring a second cabin bag of up to 45 x 36 x 20cm.

Customers on ordinary tickets will still be allowed to bring a single bag of duty free shopping. Any extra hand baggage, or bags which are larger than the size limits, will be subject to a hefty charge.

It means easyJet’s baggage allowance trails some way behind the likes of BA, which allows each passenger a cabin bag of up to 56x45x25cm as well as an additional “personal” bag, still a reasonable 40x30x15cm.

British Airways still has one of the most generous hand luggage allowances (Getty)

Even easyJet’s budget rival Ryanair says customers can carry one standard piece of hand baggage up to 55cm x 40cm x 20cm, plus a smaller handbag or laptop case.

In a statement, an easyJet spokesperson told the Telegraph that the changes had been in place since 19 March and said the airline had “one of the most generous cabin bag policies with no weight limit”. The airline declined to say why it had scrapped the old system.

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