Portuguese Court Ruling Could End Cabin Bag Fees Across Budget Airlines

The saying “you get what you pay for” rings especially true when it comes to budget airlines. Those low fares may seem appealing at first, but they often come with hidden costs. Checked baggage fees, charges for better seats, and even extra fees for what used to be standard service are common. If you don’t want to be stuck in the last row or sandwiched between two armrest hogs, you’ll have to shell out more money for a better seat. It’s a pay-to-play system that can quickly turn a cheap ticket into something much pricier.

From my experience, one of the worst offenders is Australia’s Jetstar. Their Starter fares may look great, but they have strict baggage limits—7 kg for carry-on, including your laptop bag. They even walk around the gate area with scales to weigh your bags. It’s an instant $70 fee if you’re over the limit. They claim it’s for health and safety reasons, but it’s rare to see other airlines enforce it so strictly. Most budget carriers worldwide don’t even bother weighing cabin luggage. However, with a recent court case, it’s becoming clear that more airlines may be getting a slap on the wrist for these excessive practices, potentially signaling a shift away from such strict policies.

Portuguese Court Slams the Brakes on Cabin Bag Fees in Landmark Ruling

Image Source: Michael Oldfield, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

According to Reuters, a recent landmark decision by a Portuguese court has ruled that charging passengers for cabin baggage is illegal, setting a new precedent for airlines like easyJet and Ryanair in Europe. This ruling follows a 2014 European Court of Justice decision that declared hand luggage an essential item for passengers, meaning airlines cannot impose additional fees on bags that meet reasonable weight and size requirements. The Portuguese court’s decision marks the first of its kind in the country but echoes previous European rulings aimed at protecting consumer rights.

This ruling comes amid mounting pressure from European Parliament members to establish standardized rules across the EU for cabin baggage, especially in light of recent fines. In May, Spanish authorities fined several airlines, including Ryanair and easyJet, €150 million for charging customers for larger carry-on luggage and other fees like seat selection and boarding pass printing. The fines and court rulings highlight a growing crackdown on airlines that impose unfair costs on travelers, a practice that has long frustrated budget airline passengers. With more cases under review, airlines may soon face even more legal challenges as consumer protection groups push for greater accountability in the industry.