The Traveller's Magazine
Low cost airlines seem to be hitting new lows as Wizz Air, a Hungarian low cost airline, considers the possibility of charging passengers for their carry-on luggage. They wouldn’t be the first in the world, but at least the first in Europe to do it.
Another fee, another reason not to travel with a low cost airline… Wizz Air isn’t winning any hearts with their latest news: additional fee for carry-on luggage. By now we’re used to (begrudgingly) dishing out for checked luggage, credit and debit card fees, airport and online check-in, among others. For now the airline will experiment with a one month trial, starting August 1st, 2012 on flights between London Luton and Katowice.
If all goes well (meaning, if Wizz Air makes a noticeable profit) it will be rolled out across the airline’s network in the near future.
Two classes of hand luggage
Carry-on luggage will now be put into two different categories as follows:
- Carry-on with maximum dimensions of 42 x 32 x 25cm, weighing up to 10kg
- Carry-on with maximum dimensions of 55 x 40 x 20cm, weighing up to 10kg
What’s the difference? A few square centimetres but if your bag is slightly on the larger side you will be expected to pay €10 per flight to bring it onboard. Armed with a tape measure and scale, the smaller carry-on luggage is hardly larger than a laptop bag or a small backpack. Is that enough space for budget-conscious travellers?
The fine print
If your carry-on bag weighs more than 10kg or is larger than 55 x 40 x 20cm, it must be checked into the hold which will cost €20 on flights shorter than 1 hour 50 minutes and €25 on flights longer than 1 hour 50 minutes. The airline hopes the move to charging passengers for large carry-ons will encourage passengers to pack less. And as if they’re trying to lessen the burn, Wizz Air will allow passengers who pay the €10 for their bulky bags to board first.
What do you think about Wizz Air charging for carry-on luggage?
So if I have a carry on 55 x 40 x 20cm as well as a check in luggage weighing about 23kg, how much will I need to pay in total?
Hi Jennifer,
There are a few different possibilities. You can save a lot of money on your checked luggage if you pay for it online when you book your flights, that’s £13 on flights less than 1:50 hours during low season, £17 on flights more than 1:50 hours in low season or £17 on flights less than 1:50 hours in high season, £21 on flights more than 1:50 hours in high season.
As for your carry-on, given the dimensions is considered a “large cabin bag” which will cost £9. It also cannot weigh more than 10kg. All of these prices are per flight, per passenger, per bag.
Hope that helps!