An investigation by BBC's Rip Off Britain has revealed that three major UK airlines—Ryanair, easyJet, and Wizz Air—have reduced the size of free cabin baggage allowance by up to 55% since 2018. Ryanair saw the biggest cut, with its maximum bag volume shrinking from 55 x 40 x 20cm to 40 x 20 x 25cm, making it the smallest free allowance among airlines checked.
easyJet's free hand luggage size dropped from 56 x 45 x 25cm to 45 x 36 x 20cm, while Wizz Air's allowance went from 55 x 40 x 23cm to 40 x 30 x 20cm. Passengers wishing to bring larger bags must now purchase more expensive tickets or pay for luggage add-ons, with fees ranging from £6 to £40 depending on the airline.
The programme highlighted the case of Lucy and Graham Corgan, who were incorrectly charged €29 on their return flight from Crete in September 2022. Despite their bag fitting easilyJet's sizer at Luton, Lucy was told her bag was too big at Heraklion airport. easyJet later refunded the charge, attributing it to an isolated misunderstanding by ground handling staff.
Travel expert Rob Staines called for standardised luggage sizes across the industry, noting that passengers often get confused by varying rules. He advised checking bag dimensions at home with a tape measure, including wheels, as it remains the passenger's responsibility to comply.
In contrast, TUI, Jet2, and British Airways have maintained the same free hand luggage sizes since 2018. easyJet defended its policy, stating it offers generous bag size limits and allows customers to pay only for what they need. Wizz Air said its 2018 policy update aimed to improve boarding efficiency.
