**Airline Passengers Urged to Photocapture Luggage as Baggage Crackdown Intensifies**
Travellers departing from UK airports this summer are being cautioned to document their hand luggage thoroughly, as reports emerge of increased scrutiny and potential new rules around cabin baggage size. The move follows a leaked internal communication revealing that ground staff for Swissport—a company handling operations for several carriers including easyJet—are being incentivised to spot and flag bags that exceed strict airline requirements.
The email, which has caused a stir across the travel sector, detailed that Swissport employees could receive a modest reward of £1.20 for each oversized bag they identify belonging to easyJet customers as they board. When a passenger’s bag is deemed too large for the cabin, it is relocated to the aircraft hold, often accompanied by a £48 fee for the individual concerned.
According to Laura Evans-Fisk, head of digital and engagement at currency provider eurochange, the public can now expect airport checks to become even more stringent. “The established advice to pack light and be meticulous in measuring your bags simply doesn’t suffice anymore,” Evans-Fisk commented. She warned that this tougher approach could soon be mirrored not just by easyJet, but by airlines across the budget sector, given Swissport’s wide-reaching presence at airports nationwide.
Adding to the advice, Evans-Fisk recommended that passengers take proactive steps, including photographing their luggage inside official measuring cages at the terminal—regardless of whether staff challenge its suitability. “If a photograph exists showing your bag fits within the permitted dimensions, it could serve as valuable evidence should any dispute arise,” she explained. Travellers are further encouraged to streamline their packing, perhaps by using compression bags for clothing, or purchasing standard toiletries upon arrival rather than squeezing them into their bags pre-flight.
In cases where customers believe they have been wrongly charged for oversized luggage, Evans-Fisk advised swift escalation: “Don’t accept automatic charges if you believe your bag meets requirements—stand your ground but, crucially, stay well-informed of the airline’s policies to avoid unnecessary conflict.”
It has also come to light that ground crews employed by DHL Supply Chain at Gatwick, Bristol, and Manchester airports may receive similar bonuses for identifying non-compliant hand luggage on easyJet flights. The prevalence of such schemes underscores mounting pressure on staff, with one anonymous Swissport worker telling The Times that confronting passengers over baggage rules is often challenging and can be met with hostility.
Swissport responded by clarifying its operational position: “Our role is to uphold airline policies as agreed under contract. Our teams deliver professional, safe, and efficient services across millions of flights each year,” a spokesperson stated. easyJet, in turn, stressed its commitment to fairness, reiterating that all policies are made clear during booking and on boarding passes, aiming to ensure only a “small minority” of customers who exceed limits are subject to charges.
As holiday plans ramp up for the peak summer getaway period, Alvaro Iturmendi, a travel insurance specialist at Confused.com, highlighted both the confusion and extra costs that often catch holidaymakers unaware. “News of stricter enforcement puts added responsibility on travellers to check the specific baggage rules of their airline before even setting off for the airport,” he explained. Recent research shows that nearly a third of British passengers have faced surcharges for overweight luggage, paying an average of £55 beyond their anticipated costs.
With varying policies across different airlines and airports, the process of verifying baggage allowances can be bewildering. Travellers are strongly urged to thoroughly read their tickets, check official airline communications, and if uncertain, reach out directly for clarification.
While these measures may be frustrating for many, they form part of a broader trend towards heightened enforcement in the name of operational efficiency and fairness. In the meantime, vigilant holidaymakers equipped with information and evidence will be best placed to avoid unexpected fees before taking to the skies.