Carry-on baggage and paid seat choice: 150 million fine arrives for four low-cost airlines
The fine makes headlines, although it is unlikely to have practical consequences for travelers. It is the one that the Ministry of Consumer [...]
Vueling
Volotea
Ryanair
easyJet
La fine makes headlines, although it is unlikely to have practical consequences for travelers. It is the one that the Spain's Ministry of Consumer Affairs has fined four low-cost airlines., holding them 'guilty' of having Violated regulations on transparency to consumers with some business practices that include the Payment for boarding carry-on baggage and choice of seat on board Or for printing the boarding pass at the airport.
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Ryanair, Easyjet, Vueling and Volotea (which together control the 85% of Spanish air traffic) will have to Pay a total penalty of 150 million euros, assuming the appeal (which they have already announced) sees them defeated.
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The bulk of that amount is being charged to Ryanair (which in 2018 was the first to introduce the practice of pay-as-you-go cabin baggage), followed by Easyjet, while Vueling and Volotea will have to pay lower figures.
But the total amount of the penalty, 150 million, is in itself insignificant compared to How much low-cost airlines collect each year from so-called 'ancillaries' to suggest that even if they lose the appeal, the practices defined as 'opaque' will still go forward.
The data collected in the 'CarTrawler Yearbook of Ancillary Revenue' related to 2022 they say that the only Ryanair grossed from 'ancillaries' to the tune of $4 billion, while Easyjet came in at $2 billion $350 million. Figures that in the case of Ryanair had grown over 2021 by 57% and in the case of its British rival by as much as 273%, reflecting the fact that low-cost airlines continue to cash in more and more from everything other than the ticket price for transporting a passenger from airport 'A' to airport 'B'.
So much so that, again in 2022, 'ancillaries' accounted for 35.7% and 33.9% of the two carriers' total annual sales, respectively. It is difficult, given the numbers involved, for a 150 million euro 'levy' to induce these companies, if not to turn around, at least to revise their business policies.
Obviously, the time of year when low-cost airlines collect the most in the form of ancillary revenues is the summer vacations which runs from June to September, when people don't leave for a quick business trip or a weekend getaway, but for one, two or even three weeks. And they necessarily take with them, at the very least, a trolley bag, when not also some larger luggage to put in the hold.
The vacation one is also the time when families with children travel the most That, more easily than in the case of singles or couples, Pre-select seats on board so they can travel together. Pay this and pay that, the ticket price swells out of all proportion, compared to what appears on these companies' websites after selecting departure and arrival locations and departure and return dates.
In what proportions this happens can be seen Simulating a booking for three people to an Italian tourist destination at the height of the summer season.
Wanting to book with Ryanair a flight from Milan Malpensa to Bari for July 16 at 10:30 a.m., the 'Basic' fare shown on the website is (for one-way) of 50.99 per person. The total is. 152.97 euros, which, however, become 225,57 if you want to reserve your seat and want to put one 10 kg carry-on bag per person in the overhead compartment. If, on the other hand, you want to ship the luggage in the hold, the price for the three people rises to 258.57 euros. And if, on the other hand, the checked baggage goes up to 20kg in weight, it goes up to almost 270 euro.
By doing the same thing, again for July 16, again for three people, but with Easyjet, the departure price of the 7 a.m. Malpensa-Bari flight is. 36.49 euros per person, for a total of 109.47 euros. At that point, you can choose to upgrade from the standard fare to the Plus fare (which includes 'large' carry-on baggage, Up Front seat and Speedy Boarding, for 54.18 euros per person, which brings the total to 272.01 euros, or to the Essentials fare that includes a 23kg checked baggage (but not carry-on baggage in the overhead compartment) for 46.48 euros extra, which brings the total to 248.91 euros.
Or, you can proceed with the Standard rate and gradually add 'pieces': 7.99 euros per person for a Standard seat, which raises the rate to 133.44 euros; 32.19 euros each for a hatbox trolley, bringing the total to 230.01 euros or a 23kg checked baggage allowance for 33.99 euros each, which brings the total to 235.41 euros.
Soldiers for real. What do you want a fine for? It would be different if a ban on certain practices came from the European Union. That, however, would go against the principle of freedom of enterprise, as, moreover, I support the airlines. And indeed, the resolution of october 2023 by which the Strasbourg Parliament spoke out against charging passengers for carry-on baggage and choice of seat had no binding character, but only that of a recommendation. That is, words to the wind.
