Ryanair welcomed the filing of a complaint by the European Consumer Organization to the European Commission against several airlines this week with the Irish no-frills carrier saying that the Commission would confirm that Ryanair’s bags policy fully complies with European Union law, which grants all European Union airlines the freedom to set prices, including prices of optional services.
The airline said in a statement: "Ryanair allows each passenger to carry a generous (40 x 25 x 20 cm) personal bag on board free as part of its basic air fare, with the option to add extra bags for an optional fee should they so wish. This policy promotes both low fares and consumer choice. If airlines were forced to include additional carry-on bags as part of the basic fare, it would reduce choice and drive-up air fares for all passengers, which would harm consumers."
The communique from Ryanair continued: "the 2014 precedent ruling of the EU Court of Justice (ECJ) in the “Vueling” case has confirmed that airlines are entitled to charge passengers for carrying extra bags, as long as the carriage of passengers’ precious and indispensable items (i.e., a small personal bag) is included in the price of the ticket.
"This ruling was issued in the context of unlawful attempts by Xunta (the government) de Galicia to force Vueling to carry all bags free of charge. Numerous courts across Europe (and the EU Commission) all agree that this ECJ precedent in the “Vueling” case conclusively establishes that airlines are entitled to charge fees for the carriage of checked bags and extra cabin baggage on top of the free personal cabin baggage which is included in basic fares.
"If the European Consumer Organization is genuinely concerned about consumers being “exploited”, then why does it continue to ignore the rampant consumer harm being caused by overcharging OTAs, who continue to induce unsuspecting consumers into paying unjustified hidden mark-ups for flights and ancillary products that cost much less when booked directly on airlines’ websites? Outlawing these harmful OTA overcharges and enforcing transparency in OTA pricing would be a much better use of BEUC and its members’ resources."
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Charles Dalrymple-Chumleythat's because it's a budget airline....the space under your seat can accordance that size and your legs. what do people expect for cheap flight prices? you want more...you will pay more!
RichieBrilliant letter, Love it. Fascinating Aida also do a great song, Cheap Flights about this topic.
40 x 25 x 20 cm is not what I would describe as being "generous." It's a very small bag and much smaller than other airlines' cabin bag allowances.
Ryanair's Micheal O'Leary arrives in a hotel in Dublin, he goes to the bar and asks for a pint of draught Guinness. The barman nodded and said, "That will be one Euro please, Mr. O'Leary." Somewhat taken aback, O'Leary replied, "That's very cheap," and handed over his money. “Well, we try to stay ahead of the competition", said the barman. "And we are serving free pints every Wednesday evening from 6 until 8. We have the cheapest beer in Ireland" “That is remarkable value" Michael comments. "I see you don't seem to have a glass, so you'll probably need one of ours. That will be 3 euro please. O'Leary scowled, but paid up. He took his drink and walked towards a seat. “Ah, you want to sit down?" said the barman. "That'll be an extra 2 euro. - You could have pre-booked the seat, and it would have only cost you a Euro." “I think you may to be too big for the seat sir, can I ask you to sit in this frame please" Michael attempts to sit down but the frame is too small and when he can't squeeze in he complains "Nobody would fit in that little frame". “I'm afraid if you can't fit in the frame you'll have to pay an extra surcharge of €4.00 for your seat sir". O'Leary swore to himself, but paid up. "I see that you have brought your laptop with you" added the barman. "And since that wasn't pre-booked either, that will be another 3 euro." O'Leary was so annoyed that he walked back to the bar, slammed his drink on the counter, and yelled, "This is ridiculous, I want to speak to the manager". “Ah, I see you want to use the counter," says the barman, "that will be 2 euro please." O'Leary's face was red with rage. “Do you know who I am?" “Of course I do Mr. O'Leary," “I've had enough, What sort of Hotel is this? I come in for a quiet drink and you treat me like this. I insist on speaking to a manager!" “Here is his E mail address, or if you wish, you can contact him between 9 and 9.10 every morning, Monday to Tuesday at this free phone number. Calls are free, until they are answered, then there is a talking charge of only 10 cents per second" “I will never use this bar again". “OK sir, but remember, we are the only hotel in Ireland selling pints for one Euro"!
I know costs have gone up, and prices have been also gone up, but what you get has gone down. OK, shareholders want a dividend, but that is where sensibilities end. 25 years ago Easyjet offered an all in price, this included 20kg hold luggage and whatever would go in the overhead locker without causing a hernia. The prices have remained within bounds, what was a £30 flight now is £45, BUT, that does not include hold baggage of 20kg, nor a large cabin bag. Is this greed or manipulation of the true facts.