Airlines are hiking baggage prices and it's causing 'luggage rage' - how to avoid being caught out
There's a new flashpoint in air travel, at least on low-cost carriers.
It's to do with hand luggage.
Airlines are cracking down on how much you're allowed to take onboard - and it's causing what is being dubbed as "luggage rage".
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There's a new flashpoint in air travel, at least on low cost carriers.It's to do with hand luggage. Getty Images/iStockphoto
"If you've ever struggled to squeeze your carry-on luggage into a ridiculously tiny overhead bin, or had to repack your bag because it was too heavy, or just lost your luggage, then you may already know luggage rage," consumer site the Elliot Report says.
One traveller, Kelly Hayes-Raitt, told the site she was charged €60 ($97) for a bag which she'd been allowed to take for free on an earlier leg of her journey in Europe.
But she said one woman on the same flight who was also told to stump up the cash, refused.
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"She had clearly chosen the low-fare airline to save a little money, and the 60 euro fee would be a hardship. She was frantically, and angrily unpacking her bag and indiscriminately tossing her personal belongings into the trash," she told the website.
The site advises travellers to pack light, know the rules, and if you're likely to be caught out, consider paying more for your flight and not using a low-cost carrier.
It might be worth it in the long run.
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Airlines are cracking down on how much you're allowed to take onboard. Getty
The carry on rules on Australian airlines are:
Jetstar carry on allowance
It depends which fare you book, but the cheapest fares include 7kg across two items as hand luggage.
That includes one item for the overhead locker which must be a max 56cm (height) x 36cm (width) x 23cm (depth) including wheels and handles. The second item should be 'small' such as a handbag and fit under the seat in front of you. Duty free you've bought at the airport is also counted in this - so beware.
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Virgin Australia carry on size
The rules for the lowest fares are: one piece weighing up to 7kg which can be 56cm x 36cm x 23cm. You can also bring a personal item such as a handbag or laptop. Or you can bring two small pieces weighing 7kg total. Or, if you are carrying a delicate outfit, you can bring one piece of hand luggage and one suit bag, weighing 7kg total.
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Check the hand luggage rules before you get to the airport. AAP Image/Darren England
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Qantas carry on rules
For domestic economy flights, Qantas hand-luggage rules are a little more generous.
For domestic flights it's one piece weighing up to 10kg and no bigger than 56cm long x 36cm wide x 23cm deep. That's a small suitcase.
Or you can have two small pieces, weighing 14kg total. The bag size can be 48cm long x 34cm wide x 23cm deep. One should fit under in the seat in front of you. Once piece can be up to 10kg.
Or you can have one small piece and garment bag, totalling up to 14kg.
You can also bring a small personal item such as a handbag, laptop, or bag of duty free, too.
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