The airlines charging for carry-on in the name of ‘more choice’ for passengers

Could charging for carry-on solve the problem of passengers taking too much luggage into airline cabins?

Airlines have begun charging travellers for the privilege of using overhead lockers.

In a trend that could spell the end of excessive amounts of carry-on luggage being carted onto flights, airlines have begun charging travellers for the privilege of using overhead lockers.

Although low cost carriers such as Frontier and Spirit have been asking passengers to pay extra for carry-on for years, full service airlines including United and Air Canada have recently got in on the act, in response to overwhelming demand for overhead locker space.

Late last year United introduced a $55 fee for every item of carry-on such as a wheelie bag, backpack or laptop bag, with domestic travellers permitted only a small personal item capable of fitting under the seat in front.

Now Air Canada has followed suit, slapping a $39 fee on carry-on such as small suitcases and weekenders, with passengers restricted to a belt bag, satchel or handbag.

The fee applies on flights within North and Central America and the Caribbean.

Airlines have justified the charge by suggesting it gives passengers who don’t wish to carry on bags the option of a lower fare, at the same time as reducing boarding delays caused by travellers searching for locker space.

But Ian Jarratt from the Queensland Consumers Association said it could make it harder to compare fares within and between airlines.

“If airlines adopt this approach to pricing it still needs to be easy for consumers to compare total prices,” said Mr Jarratt.

“And importantly the separate price for the carry on or checked in bag needs to be fair and to reflect actual costs.”

Qantas has no plans to charge extra for carry-on but other airlines such as United and Air Canada are imposing fees for using the overhead lockers. Picture: iStock

International Air Transport Association director general Willie Walsh said carrying on bags did have a cost associated with it, adding an extra 10 to 15 minutes to boarding time which quickly reduced the number of flights an aircraft could do each day.

His comments followed moves by the Spanish government to outlaw cabin baggage fees for passengers, and fine airlines who imposed them a total of $300m.

“Prohibiting all airlines from charging for cabin bags means that the cost will be automatically priced into tickets,” said Mr Walsh.

“What’s next? Forcing all hotel guests to pay for breakfast? Or charging everyone to pay for the coat check when they buy a concert ticket?”

For now at least, no Australian domestic carriers had plans to introduce a more basic economy fare that did not include carry-on luggage.

Imposing extra fees for carry-on could see an end to travellers taking multiple bags into the cabin.

Jetstar permitted each passenger a maximum of two carry-on items, providing their combined weight did not exceed 7kg. Up to 7kg in additional weight could be purchased when booking flights, at a cost of around $30 depending on the route.

Qantas economy fares included provision for up to 14kg of carry-on, with no single piece weighing more than 10kg.

The more generous allowance meant overhead locker space often filled up quickly on full flights, resulting in some items having to be checked in after boarding.

Virgin Australia permitted 7kg of carry-on across two pieces plus a small personal item such as handbag, laptop or umbrella.

The allowance was included in Virgin’s “lite” economy fare with the more expensive “choice” fares incorporating up to 23kg of checked baggage.

Baggage was already a major source of ancillary revenue for airlines, with fees for checked and extra carry-on amounting to an estimated $47bn worldwide in 2023.

Data collated by the IdeaWorks Company showed seat selection charges were the next biggest source of ancillary revenue for airlines, followed by on-board sales of food and beverage.

Originally published as The airlines charging for carry-on in the name of ‘more choice’ for passengers