easyJet increases hand luggage costs – here's how much you'll pay

Passengers on budget airline easyJet could have to pay hand luggage fees of up to £32.99.

If you’re looking to fly somewhere on a budget, then there are few more obvious options than easyJet.

The airline has carved out an important role with British tourists looking to save a few quid on their trips abroad by doing away with some of the additional luxuries that you might associate with a flight.

And given the travel restrictions of the last couple of years, large numbers of people are likely dreaming longingly of heading off somewhere exotic soon.

However, if you’re looking forward to jetting off somewhere sunny on an easyJet flight, there is a sting in the tail in the fact that hand luggage costs are being increased for most passengers.

What will I pay for hand luggage?

easyJet is changing the prices it charges travellers for taking hand luggage onto a flight, with the changes taking effect for anyone who booked after 3rd November.

What you pay will vary depending on the size of the bag you want to take on board.

There is no charge for taking a small bag into the cabin, which has a maximum size of 45 x 36 x 20 and can fit under the seat in front.

There’s a big change though if you want to take a larger cabin bag on as hand luggage though. 

Passengers with a standard ticket can take one bag, of a maximum size of 56 x 45 x 25 cm, which can fit into the overhead locker.

They will then pay a fee of between £5.99 and £32.99, with the price depending on demand and when you book. EasyJet told MoneySavingExpert that on average travellers will have to pay a £15 fee.

Previously passengers had to pay £7 in order to check bags of this size into the hold. 

Passengers with premium tickets could always take bags of this size on with no additional charge, and that isn’t changing.

Prices are the same whether you book this luggage online or in person. However, there may be an additional charge for making changes to your flight like this through the customer services team, rather than doing it yourself through the app or website.

Meanwhile, the fees to put luggage in the hold remain unchanged, with prices ranging from £6.99 to £42.49 based on the weight.

Why is this happening?

easyJet has said that the luggage price changes are designed to “simplify” its luggage policy, and therefore make it easier for passengers to work out exactly what they are going to pay for taking luggage on board.

Ultimately though it’s difficult to ignore that this is going to be a decent earner for easyJet.

If you want to take a larger cabin bag on with you, while you can now actually have it to hand rather than sticking it in the whole, on average you will be paying more than twice the previous fee for that added convenience. 

It will come down to individual passengers how worthwhile that particular trade-off is, and whether it’s worthwhile to spend a few extra pounds on each trip for having that bag closer to hand throughout the journey.

It’s also absolutely crucial that if you do want to take a larger bag into the cabin with you that you book that package online in advance. It’s not worthwhile to give easyJet the option of adding further fees to the cost of your trip.