Will Jetstar Follow Ryanair And Ban All Hold Luggage.
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Will Jetstar Follow Ryanair And Ban All Hold Luggage.
Ryanair is considering imposing a £50 surcharge for passengers checking in bags as a first step to banning hold luggage completely.
The no-frills carrier wants to lower airport costs by a third by limiting travellers to carry-on luggage, removing the need for baggage check-in facilities and handling and reducing security requirements.
The airline, which carries more than 12 million British passengers a year, has already cut its maximum hold baggage allowance to 15kg per passenger, the smallest in the aviation industry. Its charges for excess baggage, £4.50 per kilogram, are the highest.
Michael O'Leary, the chief executive, said yesterday that he was considering the abolition of the free hold baggage allowance within the next 12 months.
Instead, anyone with a suitcase or holdall would be charged per item, possibly £50.
"We want to get rid of hold baggage. It's one of the biggest costs we have," he went on. "The average stay of our passengers is less than two days so the overwhelming majority don't need big bags.
"If people feel they must take a lot of luggage, they can fly with our higher-fare competitors. If they want to fly round Europe with us for £5 or £10, they will have to do it Ryanair's way."
Passengers would buy their ticket online and print out their own boarding card. At the airport, they would go straight to their departure gate without the need for checking in by staff.
Mr O'Leary said the savings from becoming a hand luggage-only airline could be £5 a passenger. To accelerate the process, the operator might couple its penalties for hold baggage with £5 "rewards" for travellers with nothing to check in.
He accepted that the policy would dent Ryanair's appeal in the family holiday market but insisted that this was a small segment of the airline's business.
The measures are also likely to alienate people travelling on shopping trips or golf tours, or wanting to transport presents over Christmas.
The Air Users' Council said the proposals would have a varied impact.
A spokesman said: "If it led to lower fares, this could be good news for people on weekend breaks. But it would make life difficult for families or those on long holidays, who might be forced on to more expensive services."
According to Ryanair, "well over 50 per cent" of its passengers already travel without hold baggage, a proportion that is rising.
The company has just increased its cabin allowance from seven kilograms per person to 10. It maintains that its 189-seat aircraft have sufficient overhead locker space to cope if all passengers took up their full allowance.
Easyjet has responded to the move by removing weight restrictions on carry-on luggage from next Monday, while setting a size limit of 55 x 40 x 20 cm.
Mr O'Leary, who prides himself on a robust approach to customer service, professed a personal preference for travelling light.
"I could go away for a week and not need much more than a toiletries bag," he said. "Instead of packing a hair-drier, why not buy one when you get there?"
The no-frills carrier wants to lower airport costs by a third by limiting travellers to carry-on luggage, removing the need for baggage check-in facilities and handling and reducing security requirements.
The airline, which carries more than 12 million British passengers a year, has already cut its maximum hold baggage allowance to 15kg per passenger, the smallest in the aviation industry. Its charges for excess baggage, £4.50 per kilogram, are the highest.
Michael O'Leary, the chief executive, said yesterday that he was considering the abolition of the free hold baggage allowance within the next 12 months.
Instead, anyone with a suitcase or holdall would be charged per item, possibly £50.
"We want to get rid of hold baggage. It's one of the biggest costs we have," he went on. "The average stay of our passengers is less than two days so the overwhelming majority don't need big bags.
"If people feel they must take a lot of luggage, they can fly with our higher-fare competitors. If they want to fly round Europe with us for £5 or £10, they will have to do it Ryanair's way."
Passengers would buy their ticket online and print out their own boarding card. At the airport, they would go straight to their departure gate without the need for checking in by staff.
Mr O'Leary said the savings from becoming a hand luggage-only airline could be £5 a passenger. To accelerate the process, the operator might couple its penalties for hold baggage with £5 "rewards" for travellers with nothing to check in.
He accepted that the policy would dent Ryanair's appeal in the family holiday market but insisted that this was a small segment of the airline's business.
The measures are also likely to alienate people travelling on shopping trips or golf tours, or wanting to transport presents over Christmas.
The Air Users' Council said the proposals would have a varied impact.
A spokesman said: "If it led to lower fares, this could be good news for people on weekend breaks. But it would make life difficult for families or those on long holidays, who might be forced on to more expensive services."
According to Ryanair, "well over 50 per cent" of its passengers already travel without hold baggage, a proportion that is rising.
The company has just increased its cabin allowance from seven kilograms per person to 10. It maintains that its 189-seat aircraft have sufficient overhead locker space to cope if all passengers took up their full allowance.
Easyjet has responded to the move by removing weight restrictions on carry-on luggage from next Monday, while setting a size limit of 55 x 40 x 20 cm.
Mr O'Leary, who prides himself on a robust approach to customer service, professed a personal preference for travelling light.
"I could go away for a week and not need much more than a toiletries bag," he said. "Instead of packing a hair-drier, why not buy one when you get there?"
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I just wondered, as Jetstar seem to base a lot of their operation on Ryanair, if they may try this.
Certainly would be a novel idea, especially in Australia.
Certainly would be a novel idea, especially in Australia.
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Over here, Jetblue (A320 low cost) is the hugely successful. J* visited head office and liked what they saw. If they follow this company's lead, rather than Ryanair, they'd be better off .
He accepted that the policy would dent Ryanair's appeal in the family holiday market but insisted that this was a small segment of the airline's business.
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If that's the case they can kiss all package fares and families flying together goodbye.
I can imagine those doing a package deal to the gold coast just using carry-on baggage.........NOT!
Perhaps Ryanair need their heads read unless its a flight full of business people only with attache cases.
Besides, with the A320 they should be able to carry a bit of freight also on certain routes which I amagine has always been part of the plan.
I can imagine those doing a package deal to the gold coast just using carry-on baggage.........NOT!
Perhaps Ryanair need their heads read unless its a flight full of business people only with attache cases.
Besides, with the A320 they should be able to carry a bit of freight also on certain routes which I amagine has always been part of the plan.
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The "older" ones amongst us may recall that TWA domestic wanted speedier check in/ turn rounds and allowed passengers to take all their baggage (up to a specified weight) in the cabin. Baggage areas (safety assured) were designated in the cabin. I don't think that they do it now so it couldn't have been that successful.
Interesting. Wonder if there is also a load limit as well as dimensional limit. Last trip as SLF, some examples observed to be over what one would consider reasonable carry on luggage. Some would have even warranted "bend the knees" stickers
Maybe Mother Russia had the right idea, entry via walk through luggage bins. Drop off your bags and caged geese and continue upstairs to your seat.
Maybe Mother Russia had the right idea, entry via walk through luggage bins. Drop off your bags and caged geese and continue upstairs to your seat.
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Just found this about Easyjet, couldn't help wondering if it is leading to the same thing as Ryanair, that is in time not having hold luggage.
Also after the previous post here, it outlines their allowable dimensions for cabin luggage.
Airline bags big luggage allowance Jul 10 2004
By The Evening Chronicle
easyJet this week announced another pioneering development by introducing Europe's most generous hand baggage allowance. It will be better than that offered by any other airline in Europe.
From Monday easyJet is removing the weight restriction on hand baggage for all passengers. The only stipulation is that you must be able to lift your bag safely into the overhead lockers yourself without assistance (or giving yourself a hernia!), so the weight must be within reason.
In order to comply with safety regulations of the UK Civil Aviation Authority, and to reflect the limited space in the overhead storage bins, there will be a size limit, which means that your bag must not be bigger than 55x40x20 cm - but this is 40% bigger than the current allowance and will give passengers the freedom to carry more than they can on the Club Class of traditional airlines.
Also after the previous post here, it outlines their allowable dimensions for cabin luggage.
Airline bags big luggage allowance Jul 10 2004
By The Evening Chronicle
easyJet this week announced another pioneering development by introducing Europe's most generous hand baggage allowance. It will be better than that offered by any other airline in Europe.
From Monday easyJet is removing the weight restriction on hand baggage for all passengers. The only stipulation is that you must be able to lift your bag safely into the overhead lockers yourself without assistance (or giving yourself a hernia!), so the weight must be within reason.
In order to comply with safety regulations of the UK Civil Aviation Authority, and to reflect the limited space in the overhead storage bins, there will be a size limit, which means that your bag must not be bigger than 55x40x20 cm - but this is 40% bigger than the current allowance and will give passengers the freedom to carry more than they can on the Club Class of traditional airlines.
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RE Easyjet baggage allowances
Thats all well and good to advertise, but if you get an aircraft full of people ALL bringing on bags that size, where the hell do they intend on storing them? Its difficult enough on a syd-mel monday morning sector trying to find enough room for all the bags in the overhead lockers under australian regulations... God help the cabin crew!
Thats all well and good to advertise, but if you get an aircraft full of people ALL bringing on bags that size, where the hell do they intend on storing them? Its difficult enough on a syd-mel monday morning sector trying to find enough room for all the bags in the overhead lockers under australian regulations... God help the cabin crew!
You can see this will all end in tears.
Who is liable when someone puts a way too heavy in the overhead locker and injures another passenger when they drop it when getting it out of the locker when they arrive at the destination??
You can see the litigation lawyers circling ready for the kill!!!
Who is liable when someone puts a way too heavy in the overhead locker and injures another passenger when they drop it when getting it out of the locker when they arrive at the destination??
You can see the litigation lawyers circling ready for the kill!!!
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"I could go away for a week and not need much more than a toiletries bag," he said. "Instead of packing a hair-drier, why not buy one when you get there?"
Because you wouldn't be able to bring it back again
