EU proposals for free extra cabin bags on planes 'lunatic idea', says easyJet

[Differ]

"Free Bag Bonanza: EU Proposals Sparks Outrage from EasyJet"

A recent proposal by European lawmakers to make extra cabin bags free for all passengers has been met with fierce resistance from low-cost carrier EasyJet. The airline's CEO Kenton Jarvis has described the plan as a "lunatic idea" that would lead to fare rises and flight delays, warning that it could have devastating consequences for consumers.

Under the proposed legislation, all passengers would be allowed to bring on board not one, but two personal items - including a handbag, backpack, or laptop. The combined weight of these items would also be capped at 7kg, with dimensions limited to 100cm. This means that even larger bags currently permitted by other airlines, such as Ryanair, would now be considered "personal items".

Jarvis argued that the extra space in the cabin would soon become a problem, necessitating bag checks and potentially causing delays. He claimed that this would lead to higher fares for all passengers, as easyJet currently makes around £2.5 billion annually from bag fees.

Critics of the plan argue that it could be financially crippling for airlines like EasyJet, which operate on thin margins. Jarvis pointed out that consumers can already bring smaller bags onboard at a lower cost than the advertised fare of bringing a checked-in item.

The airline's CEO also expressed skepticism about the proposed rule change, suggesting that politicians are "completely not understanding their subject" and should focus on providing better value for money to passengers. EasyJet plans to continue offering its existing service, with Jarvis stating that he wouldn't intentionally sell consumers an inferior product simply because it was cheaper.

While some may view the proposal as a boost for consumer rights, EasyJet's resistance highlights the potential financial implications of such drastic changes to airline regulations. With lawmakers set to review the proposals in the coming months, it remains to be seen whether the plan will become law and have far-reaching consequences for airlines and passengers alike.

 

[Dirty Cryst]

omg what a drama!!! easyjet is like "no wayyy" to this free bag deal lol i can see why tho, think about all those tiny bags ppl bring on board but seriously though, if its gonna affect their profits it's def worth looking into, maybe they should just start offering more affordable flights instead of all these extra fees

 

[Famous Fowl]

omg can u believe easyjet is so salty about this? they're trying to pass the buck on consumers who are already being scammed by their ridiculous bag fees. i mean who doesn't want free extra cabin bags? it's not like it's going to break the bank for airlines they're just trying to maintain their profit margins and keep those £2.5 billion in hand

the more i think about it, the more i'm convinced that this is all about lawmakers just trying to give consumers a bit of power back. we've been stuck with these ridiculous airline fees for far too long so maybe it's time someone shook things up. Easyjet can keep whining, but I'll be rooting for those lawmakers who want to give us free extra cabin bags!

 

[Rich Rabb]

I'm like totally baffled by this whole thing ! I mean, I get that consumers want more freedom to travel with their stuff, but come on, can't they just compromise a bit? EasyJet's not trying to ruin anyone's day, they're just trying to make a buck . And honestly, I think the airlines have a point about the extra space becoming an issue . I've been on flights where you had to gate-check your bag because it was too big and heavy...not fun . But at the same time, I feel like politicians are just trying to make a statement without thinking about how it'll actually affect people's lives . Like, is making extra cabin bags free really going to solve all our problems? It seems like a nice idea on paper, but in reality, I think airlines need to find ways to keep costs down without sacrificing their services . Can't we just find a happy medium or something?

 

[Bored Bat]

I feel like some of these politicians just don't think about how things would work out in real life . I mean, sure, a free bag sounds great, but it's not that simple to implement. EasyJet's concerns about delays and higher fares are valid - they operate on tight margins already . It's like they're trying to make up for something without actually understanding how the airline business works . And what's with the "lunatic idea" comment? That just comes across as condescending . I'm all for consumer rights, but not at the expense of the airlines' ability to operate sustainably . Maybe they could find a compromise, like reducing bag fees instead of making everything free . Just seems like a lot of people are jumping on this bandwagon without thinking about the consequences

 

[Tense Toucan]

omg this is like a scene from "the hangover" EU wants free bag bonanza but EasyJet is all like "nope, you can't come" they're basically saying that one of them has to lose ( EasyJet loses their £2.5b or we bring more bags) it's like trying to play a game of Tetris with airlines either way, it's gonna be a wild ride

 

[Ultimat]

Ugh, this is just what I needed - more reason to hate flying. Like, come on EasyJet, a little bit of extra space isn't gonna kill you, right? I mean, I've seen Ryanair fit like 3 people in those tiny seats and they're still charging us an arm and a leg for the privilege... . But seriously, this is just another example of governments thinking they can "help" consumers without actually understanding how business works. It's all well and good to want to give passengers more, but airlines have gotta make a living too, you know? I'm not saying it's ideal, but maybe instead of banning extra bags altogether, they could just start charging for them like normal... .

 

[Unholy Rollerbal]

omg, have you guys ever noticed how some restaurants have those weird signs where they put down the price of the food on the counter? like, who comes up with that? i mean, it's not like it's a secret or anything... anyway, i was reading this article about EasyJet and their bag fees, and i just started thinking about how much money you can save by just bringing your own snacks on a plane... i swear, it's like $5 for a pack of peanuts and some pretzels, and suddenly they're trying to charge you 10 bucks for a tiny bag of popcorn

 

[Annoying]

I gotta say, I'm a bit surprised by EasyJet's strong stance on this one... they're basically saying that customers won't mind paying more for checked bags? Like, come on! People already pay enough for those flights as it is... I think the EU should stick to their guns on this one, and let passengers have some freedom when it comes to luggage. EasyJet's all about profits, not people's needs

 

[Elegant Eland]

I mean, come on... You've got to feel for EasyJet, right? They're already struggling to stay afloat with all these new regulations piling up. I get it, consumer rights are important and all that jazz... But at what cost? If this plan goes through, it's gonna be a real game-changer for airlines like EasyJet. And honestly, I don't think they're being too harsh on the situation . They're just trying to protect their interests and make sure they can keep flying without going broke.

I remember back in the day when you could bring your bag onto the plane with no issues... Those were the days! Now, it's like, "Oh no, you want to bring that extra bag? That'll be £10 please!" It's all about supply and demand, folks. EasyJet's just trying to make sure they don't get caught in a financial squeeze .

It's interesting how politicians always think they can just swoop in and change the rules without considering the consequences . I guess that's why we've got airlines like EasyJet pushing back against it... They're not about to become some sort of bag-bagging behemoth without a fight .

 

[Fantastic]

omg i'm low-key loving this idea but easyjet's response is like totally understandable they're already making a killin from bag fees so adding more free bags would def cut into their profits what if it actually helps reduce stress on flights tho? not having to search for lost luggage or pay extra for each bag could make flying way more chill still gotta see how this all plays out but i'm keeping an eye

 

[The Sims: Were]

I think this proposal is a good idea . I mean, who doesn't love having free extra bag space on flights? It's like, you know when you're excited for your trip and then you realize you forgot something at home or need an extra coat... it'd be so nice to bring whatever you want without worrying about getting charged extra . Plus, airlines are already making a ton of money from bag fees, so I don't think it's like they're going to go bankrupt just because some passengers might take advantage of the free space . EasyJet is just trying to protect their business model, but I think it's worth considering the benefits for consumers too .

 

[Big]

omg u no i had a major meltdown at easyjet last yr because my laptop bag was 1kg over the limit & they charged me an arm & a leg anyway this free bag thing sounds like a great idea to me - i'm so tired of paying extra for every tiny item I wanna bring on board ️ i mean i get it that airlines r gonna be all bent outta shape but u can't put a price on convenience, right? plus think of all the ppl who struggle to afford checked-in bags due to disabilities or other probs

 

[The Cas]

im think easyjet has a point tho ... i mean, theyre already losing loads of money on those bag fees... if all passengers get 2 free bags, its gonna be a nightmare for them to keep up with the extra space... plus delays = bad vibes for customers

 

[Fancy Ferret]

I'm low-key surprised EasyJet is not on board with this idea , considering how much they rake in from bag fees. Like, they're basically bankrolling their own business model! The airline's CEO Kenton Jarvis has some solid points about the potential delays and increased fares, though. I get why he'd want to protect his bottom line – airlines operate on thin margins, after all . But at the same time, this proposal is all about giving consumers more value for their hard-earned cash . It'll be interesting to see how lawmakers weigh the pros and cons of this plan . Maybe it's a win-win: airlines get to keep flying without breaking the bank, and passengers get a bit more legroom (and free bag space) .

 

[Blue Bear]

I dont think its a good idea to make extra cabin bags free lol EasyJet is just trying to protect their profits you feel? They do make a lot of cash from those bag fees after all . But at the same time, I get why consumers would want that kind of freedom to bring on more stuff without getting charged an arm and a leg . Its like, whats the limit really? 7kg? That's still pretty hefty for some people's carryon bags

 

[NBA Bingo Fighte]

I dont get why easyjet is so upset about this ... I mean, isn't this just a matter of treating passengers fairly? They're already making so much from bag fees, it's only right that they give us the freedom to bring our own stuff on board without having to shell out extra cash . And let's be real, if it causes delays or something, that's not the airline's problem, the governments should step in and sort it out . I think its time for airlines like easyjet to get their priorities straight and start putting passengers first

 

[Distu]

[Image of a person trying to squeeze a massive bag into an airplane seat with a "NOPE" emoticon ]️
[Airline CEO Kenton Jarvis as a cartoon character with a " Lunatic Idea" speech bubble, surrounded by bags with a big red X through them ]
[Picture of EasyJet's annual profits with a giant bill on top, labeled "Bag Fees" ]
[A person trying to cram all their personal items into an airplane seat, with a big sign that says "Too Much Baggage" ]️

 

[Leisure Suit Mall 2K]

ugh this is just ridiculous who needs 2 extra bags on a flight anyway? i mean what's next? free food on every flight? it's just going to get passed down to us consumers in the form of higher fares... easyjet makes like £2.5 billion from bag fees so yeah no one wants to lose that they're not exactly in a position to complain about losing money

 

[Stupid S]

I'm not surprised EasyJet is all over this . Airlines are already struggling to make ends meet. This extra baggage policy could indeed put them in a tight spot . Kenton Jarvis has a point, consumers can already get smaller bags for less . It's all about efficiency and cost-cutting. I'm not sure I'd call it a "lunatic idea" but EasyJet's resistance is justified. The airline industry is a complex beast; changing regulations could have ripple effects ️.