Court rules on legality of airline luggage fees
Airlines can continue to charge customers to check in their luggage, a European court has ruled.
The European Court of Justice said it was acceptable for airlines to charge a supplement as they incurred extra costs storing and processing checked-in luggage.
But it added that hand baggage was necessary for passengers so they should not be charged for carry-on bags.
The decision will come as a relief to low-cost carriers that rely on ancillary fees to bulk out their earnings.
The court upheld a challenge by Spanish budget carrier Vueling Airlines against a Spanish law that prohibits airlines from charging for checking in baggage.
The airline was given a 3,000 euro (£2,362) fine for adding €40 to the basic price of four tickets bought by one passenger for return flights between La Coruna in Spain to Amsterdam.
A Spanish court referred the case to Luxembourg to see if it complied with EU law on pricing freedom.
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
TAP Air Portugal to operate 29 flights due to strike on December 11
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Strike action set to cause travel chaos at Brussels airports
Digital Travel Reporter of the Mirror totally seduced by HotelPlanner AI Travel Agent