Airlines take advantage of hand luggage confusion

There doesn’t seem to be a day that goes by without a new affront to customer service dished out by a well known budget airline. This time it was an unfortunate trio of European classical musicians who experienced the airline’s money grabbing mentality. They were made to pay for additional seats for their priceless violins because they weren’t regulation shape even though they would have comfortably fitted in the overhead lockers.

Although, this is an extreme case and given the choice most travellers would avoid this particular airline, it does highlight the confusion over individual airline’s policy over hand baggage dimensions.

It’s not uncommon for travellers to find that a bag that was allowed as hand baggage by one carrier doesn’t fit the bill by other airlines. The problem is that each airline seems to have their own system, whether measured by a bucket by the gate or assessed manually by the check-in staff and according to which airline you use, are afforded a measure of compassion and common sense.

It’s tempting to lay the blame on the budget airlines, but most carriers are guilty of what could be viewed as profiteering when it comes to the difference in price when you pay in advance or when you arrive at the airport.

Unless you’re absolutely certain that you haven’t exceeded the permitted weight or size, it’s probably much easier to admit defeat and book your case into the hold from the get-go, saving yourself the hassle of packing a ‘capsule’ wardrobe and avoiding inflated baggage charges at the check-in desk.

If you have the knack for packing light and don’t fancy hanging around the carousel then check out http://wikitravel.org/en/List_Of_Airline_Baggage_Limits for a list of baggage dimensions for major airlines.

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