Low cost airlines have revolutionized the art of flying light by implementing strict policies regarding cabin luggage and high prices to check bags. Travelers on a budget can keep costs down by following the rules to a tee, but could the one free piece of cabin luggage become a thing of the past? The US budget airline, Spirit Airlines, has already been charging for cabin luggage that does not fit underneath the seat and has recently announced that starting November 6th the price to check your carry-on at the gate will skyrocket from $45 to $100. Another US low cost carrier, Allegiant Air, also charges passengers a fee to store a bag in the overhead bins.
Until now these new rules were only seen in the United States, but last week Wizzair, the low cost airline that connects Western and Eastern Europe, announced that passengers that would like to bring a large cabin bag (up to 56 x 45 x 25 cm) on board will have to pay 10€ during the online check-in process. Passengers that do not check-in online will have to pay 20€ at the check-in counter, or 30€ at the boarding gate to be able to bring a larger carry-on. Wizzair states that this policy was implemented to make the flying process quicker and more efficient.
Will Wizzair be the only low cost airline in Europe to charge passengers for a spot for their luggage in the overhead bins or will the new policy become contagious?
