Brussels Airlines to charge extra for hand luggage
Brussels Airlines and its sister carriers within the Lufthansa Group are set to end the era of free hand luggage on short- and medium-haul flights. A new basic fare will include only one personal item, such as a laptop bag or small rucksack, with passengers who wish to bring a standard carry-on bag required to pay extra.
Until now, the cheapest ticket with Brussels Airlines included both a personal item (up to 40 x 30 x 15 centimetres) and a piece of hand luggage (up to 55 x 40 x 23 centimetres). The airline argues that, since not every passenger travels with hand luggage, the new Economy Basic fare gives day trippers and light travellers "an additional option at an attractive entry-level price." Additional hand or hold luggage can be added from 15 euros.
Pilot scheme on twenty routes
The new fare will be introduced on a trial basis from 28 April on a selection of routes. For Brussels Airlines, this covers around twenty routes, including services to and from Budapest, Hamburg, Krakow, Prague and Stockholm, departing on 19 May or later. The airline intends to roll the fare out across its entire continental network in due course, spokesperson Nico Cardone said.
Once the new tier is in place, travellers will be able to choose from four fare options in Economy Class and three in Business Class. "The enhanced fare structure thus enables a clear, transparent selection tailored to individual needs," the airline said.
Next to Brussels Airlines, the new basic fare will also be introduced across all other airlines in the Lufthansa Group as well, including Lufthansa, Swiss, Austrian Airlines, Discover Airlines, Lufthansa City Airlines and Air Dolomiti. The change brings the Lufhansa airlines in line with many other carriers that have long charged separately for cabin baggage.
PHOTO © APA PICTURE DESK
Related news
