Ryanair’s victory over free luggage on planes

None larger baggage to be placed in the overhead bins to be included in the ticket fare by the airlines. The sentence becomes finalBrussels Business Courtof 28 January in favor of Ryanair onbaggage policyto be stored “under the seat”. The decision becomesdefinitive and bindingafterPurchasing Testchose not to appeal.

According to the judges, every passenger has the right to carryone piece of luggage on board for freeof reasonable size and weight to placeunder the seatsuitable for containing personal effects and compliant withsafety requirements. The ruling confirms that the policy of the Irish low-cost airline onhand luggageis fully compliant withEU law e alla Vueling jurisprudence della Court of Justice,rejecting the idea that airlines should include a larger baggage to be stored in the overhead bins.

Compliance with EU regulation and precedents

“You can’t argue thatRyanairdoes not comply with article 23 ofregulation 1008/2008“, we read in the sentence, which reiterates that neither the regulation nor jurisprudence imposes thefree luggage transportlarger than the dimensions set by the carrier. The decision brings Belgium into line with a number of rulings across the EU – including those of theItalian Council of Stateof the courts of Berlin and several Spanish cities (Barcelona, ​​Valencia, Valladolid, Seville and Madrid) – which confirmed thelegitimacy of the Ryanair policy e la freedom of companiesto set prices foroptional servicessuch as larger or hold luggage.

Other challenges rejected

La Court of Brusselsit also rejected the othersTest Achats disputes. The determination ofrates based on demandit was judged to comply with the regulations; the same goes for thechoice of seatwhich according to the judges does not significantly limit theconsumer freedom. Also the practices relating toplaces for familiesand upon presentation of the baggage they were deemed legitimate.

Ryanair’s statement

“We welcome the decision ofPurchasing Testnot to appeal this clear and complete ruling,” he saysDara Brady on Ryanairin a note. “Ourfree luggage to store under the seatsatisfies alllegal and safety requirementsand customers continue to benefitlowest rates in Europechoosing only ioptional serviceswho wish to purchase. – continues Brady – This sentence protects thelow rates e la freedom of choice for Belgian consumersjust as European governments recognize the importance of aaccessible air connectivity per la economic growth“.