A traveller has taken to social media to criticise easyJet after being hit with what she describes as an “unfair” £96 fee at the airport, sparking a wider discussion about budget airline policies and in-flight service standards.
Emi, who uses the handle emilia.petcu on TikTok, recently flew from London Luton Airport to Paris and documented her grievances throughout the journey. According to her account, the problems began before she even boarded the plane, when easyJet allegedly charged her nearly a hundred pounds for a cabin bag she believed conformed to airline policy.
Sharing her story in a video posted on 24 July, Emi asserted that the bag in question was a standard backpack, small enough to fit under the seat. She labelled the hefty charge as both “last minute” and “unfair,” expressing frustration over what she perceived to be inconsistent or unclear enforcement of baggage rules. Although easyJet, like many airlines, regularly notifies passengers of baggage policies prior to departure, Emi maintains that her bag met the stipulated requirements and that the additional fee cast a shadow over her trip.
However, her disappointment did not end with the unexpected payment. Emi went on to criticise the cleanliness of the aircraft itself, saying, “The experience only got worse on board. The aeroplane was dirty, with poor hygiene and cleanliness conditions.” She posted footage purporting to show crumbs and rubbish on the floor near her seat, further intensifying her dissatisfaction with the airline.
The TikTok video, which quickly attracted a variety of responses, also highlighted that the flight was subject to delays, which Emi claimed were not accompanied by clear or timely updates from the airline. She said these cumulative issues detracted significantly from her anticipated Paris getaway.
Many viewers responded to Emi’s post by sharing their own negative experiences with both easyJet and other budget carriers, with one recalling, “This happened to me. I complained to easyJet and they gave me the amount in a voucher.” Others recounted facing similar unexpected charges at Luton, while some noted they had used the same style of backpack for years on different airlines without incident.
But the incident stirred a debate. Some commenters pointed out the complicated logistics faced by airline staff and offered explanations for the condition of the aircraft. One pointed out that cleaning crews typically have only “six to eight minutes” to prepare a plane between flights, and that delays are often a knock-on effect from earlier flights. Another suggested that the mess left on board reflects the behaviour of other passengers rather than negligence from staff, reinforcing that time pressures can make thorough cleaning challenging.
Some respondents argued that the most straightforward way to avoid such fees is to strictly adhere to the bag allowance rules, emphasising that the guidelines are made clear in advance and apply to all.
In response, easyJet did not comment on the specific details of Emi’s case. However, the airline issued a statement reiterating its baggage policy, stressing: “easyJet’s bag policy is well understood and all customers can bring one small under seat bag for free. We provide clear information on bag allowances including dimensions at time of booking, via email before travel and on boarding passes. Our ground handlers check bags to ensure fairness for all customers.”
This episode highlights the ongoing tension between budget airlines’ strict baggage rules and passengers’ expectations, particularly when it comes to interpreting what qualifies as an “under seat” bag. It also underscores the importance of clear communication from airlines and mutual respect between passengers and staff to ensure a smoother journey for all involved.