An easyJet traveler shared her experience of challenging the airline’s fine for an oversized bag.
Louise Machin expressed surprise and confusion when easyJet charged her €58 (£51) upon her return from Chania Airport in Crete, claiming her suitcase exceeded size limits despite her prior measurements. After contacting the bag manufacturer, easyJet refunded her.
Unfortunately, Machin’s case is not unique, as Which? reported similar incidents due to inaccurate bag sizers at some airports. Travelers flying budget airlines have learned to double-check baggage dimensions to avoid penalties, even though airports provide sizers at check-in and boarding areas.
Machin, a freelance film and TV sales director from Crystal Palace, encountered the issue on a trip to Crete, where she paid for cabin bags. Despite her compliance with size regulations, ground staff at Chania Airport wrongly fined her, creating a confrontational situation. She eventually paid to avoid travel disruptions.
Upon proving her bag’s compliance with easyJet’s standards through the bag manufacturer, Cabin Max, Machin received a refund. Which? highlighted instances where airlines incorrectly penalized passengers for slight deviations in bag size, emphasizing the importance of appealing such fines.
While easyJet insisted no faults were found with the sizers at Chania Airport during subsequent checks, they refunded Machin and acknowledged her concerns. The airline assured standardized bag sizers across all airports and promised to address customer feedback individually.
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