EasyJet has been instructed to discontinue advertising carry-on baggage fees starting from £5.99 due to the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) determining it as misleading to passengers. The ASA stated that there was inadequate proof that this price was accessible across various flight routes and dates, leading to the ban on easyJet’s usage of the phrase.
In addition, easyJet must ensure that the “from” price for large cabin bags represents the lowest price across a substantial portion of flights moving forward. Despite easyJet arguing that their advertised price was valid and applicable to different routes, they acknowledged that prices could fluctuate based on factors like availability, demand, and operational expenses. The airline emphasized that the actual price for a specific booking was transparently displayed before purchase.
The ASA’s decision follows an investigation by consumer group Which?, which disclosed that the cost of adding a large cabin bag exceeded £5.99 on all 520 analyzed easyJet flights. The lowest price identified was £23.49, with an average of £30.
Rory Boland, editor of Which? Travel magazine, expressed astonishment at airlines circumventing regulations and deceiving customers with unattainable prices. He commended the ASA’s ruling against easyJet, citing a prevalent practice of airlines offering low headline fares then imposing high additional charges for standard cabin bags. Boland advised customers to consider airlines without cabin bag add-ons for potentially more cost-effective travel options.
In response, easyJet issued a statement emphasizing their commitment to providing transparent pricing information to customers. They assured that they consistently offer some large cabin bags at the lowest price possible. Following the ASA’s feedback, easyJet made adjustments to ensure clearer information for consumers on their fees and charges.
