The European Consumer Organisation accused Ryanair and other airlines of engaging in unfair and illegal practices by charging extra fees for hand luggage.
The consumer organisation argued the new fees violated a 2014 EU court ruling which said charging for reasonably sized hand baggage was illegal.
“Imposing fees on consumers for hand luggage that ‘meets reasonable requirements in terms of its weight and dimensions and complies with applicable security requirements’ as per European Court of Justice case law constitutes a prohibited unfair commercial practice,” the consumer group said May 21.
They claim “airlines take advantage of consumers by charging additional fees to passengers whose hand baggage does not match their guidelines, which has already been declared illegal”, arguing these airline companies are “infringing consumer rights.”
As well as Ryanair, in its complaint the consumer association especially mentions EasyJet, Norwegian Airlines, Volotea, Vueling, Transavia, and Wizz Air.
The most effective solution is for the EU to introduce standardised dimensions for carry-on luggage, to eliminate the confusion and inconsistency passengers currently face at boarding gates, said the group.
In response to an inquiry from Brussels Signal, Ryanair said its hand luggage policy is fully compliant with EU law.
The airline warned “forcing carriers to include additional carry-on baggage in the basic fare would reduce consumer choice and lead to higher airfares for all passengers, ultimately harming consumers.”
Ryanair currently allows each passenger to bring a personal bag on board free of charge (measuring up to 40 x 25 x 20 cm) as part of its standard fare, and offers the option to purchase additional baggage allowance.
The airline argues this approach supports both low fares and consumer flexibility.
On May 21, the industry group Airlines for Europe issued a statement reinforcing Ryanair’s position.
In 2024, the Spanish member of the consumer umbrella group, Organización de Consumidores y Usuarios, launched a formal complaint to the Spanish Ministry of Social Rights and Consumption.
This complaint resulted in a €179 million fine for five airlines for abusive hand baggage practices.
Airlines for Europe said in their statement the fine is “currently under appeal, and the European Commission is looking into whether it complies with EU law”.
“Making cabin bags mandatory would force up to 50 million passengers in Spain alone to pay for something they do not want,” they added.
In April 2025, Ryanair released a video on X explaining its luggage policy.
One user argued in response, the business model of Ryanair depends on people making mistakes and paying additional fees.”
BAGS… explained pic.twitter.com/ImMl16RM9H
— Ryanair (@Ryanair) April 10, 2025
