“Pay for the air?”: Poland checks WizzAir and Ryanair baggage rules after passenger complaints
20 June 2025 14:24
The Polish Agency for the Protection of Competition and Consumer Rights (UOKiK) has initiated an investigation against low-cost airlines WizzAir and Ryanair due to numerous complaints about their baggage practices. This was reported by Yevropeiska Pravda, according to "Komersant Ukrainian".
These are new methods of checking hand luggage before boarding a flight and the requirement to pay additional fees without proper explanation or the possibility of checking the size.
Passengers’ complaints point to a recurring situation: even before boarding, airline staff force travelers to insert their bags into metal frames, which are often smaller than the stated allowable dimensions. Many backpacks that used to be allowed as free carry-on luggage suddenly became “ineligible” and were required to pay an additional several hundred zlotys – often by card only, without alternatives.
Passengers also reported that they were unable to check the parameters of their belongings on their own, for example, to check the dimensions with a tape measure. Attempts to express disagreement or appeal the decision resulted in denial of boarding.
UOKiK stated that it aimed to check several aspects:
- whether the new rules are consistent with the terms of the transportation contract,
- what exactly the passenger sees when buying a ticket,
- how the luggage is measured in practice,
- how legitimate are the consequences for those who cannot or do not agree to pay extra,
- how airlines handle complaints if passengers believe the surcharge is unreasonable.
“According to the precedents of the European Court of Justice, if hand luggage does not exceed reasonable limits and does not interfere with safety, it should be considered an integral part of the transportation service. Therefore, it should not be charged extra,” said Tomasz Khrustny, the head of the agency.
The inspection could have serious consequences for the two most popular low-cost airlines in Europe if it is found that their actions violate consumer rights.
Typical parameters of hand luggage:
Wizz Air (basic fare):
- 1 piece free ofcharge (small hand luggage)
- Dimensions: 40 × 30 × 20 cm
- Must fit under the seat
Additional large hand baggage (in the cabin) is only possible with Wizz Priority:
- 55 × 40 × 23 cm, up to 10 kg
Ryanair (basic fare):
- 1 small bag free of charge
- Dimensions: 40 × 20 × 25 cm
- Must also fit under the seat
With Priority & 2 Cabin Bags service:
- 1 small bag (as above)
- 1 large hand bag: 55 × 40 × 20 cm, up to 10 kg
If your carry-on baggage does not meet the size requirements, the airline may charge you an excess baggage fee or force you to check it in.
Low-cost airlines often check the dimensions at the gate before boarding in a metal frame.
Ryanair and Wizz Air have the strictest rules and frequent surcharges.
