EasyJet cuts routes and shrinks carry-on baggage (free)
Easyjet cuts its fleet in Italy and beyond. From February, the "right to use hatboxes" disappears. The emergency [...]
Easyjet cuts its fleet in Italy and beyond. From February, the "right to use hatboxes" disappears.
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The coronavirus emergency has hibernated flights in Europe leading to an incredibly high number of booking cancellations.
Added to this is a general fear of going back inside a booth, side by side with perfect strangers. Thus, the accumulated losses may increase in the near future, at least until the long-awaited vaccines become available.
Looking at the Italian market alone, Easyjet ended the 2020 financial year with a red about 106 million euros. A real collapse, considering how the previous year's budget had brought in 95 million euros in profits (data provided by Rdc Aviation).
What's changing in Italy
The closing of its budget in the red has prompted Easyjet to make a drastic decision. An official note states that the airline plans to reduce its fleet operating in Italy by nine. The plan is to To go from a total of 36 aircraft to 27.
There are three airports involved in our territory. Here, then, is how Easyjet's decision will change, to a small extent, the habits of those who are used to travel lowcost. A Milan Malpensa, which is the main base in our country, will be reduced from 22 to 21 aircraft. Instead, the impact of the Covid-19 crisis on the other two airports will be greater. Venice will decrease from 7 to 2 aircraft, while Naples 7 to 4 aircraft.
Easyjet, new luggage rules
The decrease in the number of planes made available by EasyJet may make it more difficult to find a flight for one's travels, with a possible slight increase in fares. However, this is not the only news announced by the famous lowcost airline.
From February 2021 In fact, the new luggage rules. Changes that will be made well in advance of the summer period. Those who are used to booking only one trip a year, in the warmer months, will therefore have time to make arrangements or, perhaps, book early and avoid additional costs.
What does the new regulation consist of? EasyJet will push its customers to spend a few extra euros in order to get specific seats on the plane, which from February will have an attached bonus: luggage in the overhead compartment.
These are. Up front seats and Extra Legroom. A guaranteed plus until there is no more space available for suitcases. In the event that there is no space for luggage from 56x45x25 cm, but a seat has been purchased that provides for its boarding, the staff will arrange for it to be placed in the hold, at no additional cost.
Most passengers will have to make do with a small bag to fit under the seat.
In fact, seats with cheaper fares will not guarantee the right to the overhead compartment. The company follows closely on Ryanair's announcement, albeit with a modification to the competing line's plan.
In fact, it will not be possible to pay extra to obtain baggage entitlement. You will be required to purchase a particular seat, costing more than the average, in order to have a chance to carry a larger suitcase, not to be shipped in the hold.
And the holders of EasyJet cards? Placement of two pieces of luggage in the overhead compartment is provided for them. Same privilege also offered to those who pay "flexi" tariffs.
All others will have three choices before them: first is to pay a higher fare for a certain type of cabin seat; second is to load their extra baggage into the hold, for a fee; third is to resign themselves to just the bag to be placed under the seat, with measures 45x36x20 cm and a volume of 32.4 liters (far less than the current 63-liter luggage, measuring 56x45x25 cm).
Of course, the excuse is that then there will be less queuing and chaos when boarding and planes will leave on time, as in...just believe it.