easyJet Executive Defends Wheeled Bag Fee Policy
An easyJet executive has mounted a robust defense of the airline’s policy to charge passengers for bringing wheeled suitcases into the cabin, arguing that it benefits travelers and improves on‑time performance. At the Routes Europe 2025 conference in Seville, Javier Gándara, easyJet’s director general for southern Europe, responded to a €29 million fine imposed by Spanish authorities for what regulators called an “abusive practice.” This sanction is part of a broader €179 million penalty levied against five European low‑cost carriers—easyJet, Ryanair, Norwegian, Vueling and Volotea—for charging for onboard roll‑aboard luggage.
Gándara emphasized that Airbus A320‑family and Boeing 737‑family jets, which form the backbone of most low‑cost carrier fleets, have limited overhead bin capacity. “With around 180 seats but space for only 90 roll‑ons, last‑minute attempts to stow wheeled bags often cause passenger frustration and boarding delays,” he said. By introducing a fee for wheeled suitcases, easyJet enables customers to choose alternatives—such as a small backpack carried free of charge—while giving the airline advance notice of luggage volumes and reducing gate holds.
Contrary to the Spanish regulator’s stance that a “reasonable” carry‑on size should be accommodated without a fee, Gándara noted that regulators failed to define what qualifies as reasonable. He argued that easyJet’s transparent pricing model allows more than 30 percent of its passengers, who travel with just a personal item, to avoid additional charges. “It has become a premium to take a wheeled bag onboard, and so we started charging for that. It’s about choice,” he explained, adding that the structured fee helps the airline plan staffing and aircraft loading more efficiently, leading to fewer delays and a smoother boarding process.
Gándara stressed that easyJet will vigorously contest the Spanish fine, which also represents an apparent divergence from broader European Union policy on ancillary revenues. EU regulations permit airlines to set fees for checked baggage, seat selection and priority boarding, practices widely adopted across the industry. He warned that penalizing carriers for charging for cabin luggage risks hindering the ability of low‑cost and full‑service airlines alike to offer varied fare options. “We strongly defend this policy as being good for consumers,” he said, pointing to easyJet’s record of raising on‑time performance and maintaining competitive base fares.
The dispute follows similar actions by Spanish authorities against other carriers. Ryanair has appealed its €50 million penalty, while Vueling, Norwegian and Volotea face fines of up to €29 million combined. All five airlines argue that ancillary fees fund operational improvements and allow for fare unbundling, giving price‑sensitive passengers the freedom to pay only for the services they require.
As the holiday travel season approaches, the controversy has highlighted a growing tension between regulators seeking to protect passenger rights and airlines striving to optimize limited aircraft cabin space. Gándara concluded by reiterating easyJet’s focus on customer choice and efficiency. “When passengers pay in advance for their wheeled bag, we can better allocate resources, reduce flight delays and deliver a more reliable service,” he said, underscoring the airline’s commitment to both punctuality and affordable travel.
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