EasyJet has been told to stop using the phrase “from £5.99” for cabin bag fees after a ruling by the UK Advertising Standards Authority. The watchdog said the airline failed to prove that passengers could regularly add a large cabin bag for that price.
The ASA explained that most customers would assume a carry on suitcase is actually available for £5.99 on many routes. EasyJet could not provide evidence to support that assumption, which led to the ruling.
Complaint raised by Which?
The issue was reported to the ASA by consumer group Which?. The group said budget airlines often promote low prices while adding extra charges later in the booking process.
According to Which?, EasyJet’s wording gave the impression that £5.99 was a realistic and accessible price for cabin baggage. In practice, customers usually paid much more.
EasyJet response to the ruling
EasyJet said it aims to give clear pricing information to customers. The airline explained that £5.99 was meant to show the starting price for adding a large cabin bag, not a guaranteed cost.
The airline also said that cabin bag prices change based on demand, route, flight date, and booking time. Because of these factors, it claimed it could not provide fixed figures to the ASA.
After receiving feedback, EasyJet updated its website. It now states that fees vary and that customers will see the exact price at the time of booking.
Why the ASA found the claim misleading
The ASA said it expected proof that large cabin bags were available for £5.99 across a significant number of routes and dates. EasyJet did not provide this evidence.
As a result, the watchdog ruled that the claim was misleading and ordered the airline not to use similar wording in the future.
Rising baggage costs concern travelers
Travel expert Simon Calder warned that baggage charges on budget airlines can sharply raise the total trip cost. On some routes, adding a cabin or checked bag can increase the final price by up to 165 percent.
He added that passengers who carry more than a small personal bag may end up paying more for luggage than for the flight itself.
Which? criticism and consumer reaction
Which? said its research showed that typical EasyJet cabin bag prices were around five times higher than £5.99. Rory Boland, editor of Which? Travel, said airlines rely on low headline fares and then charge high fees for standard cabin bags.
He welcomed the ASA ruling and advised travelers to compare airlines carefully. Choosing carriers that include cabin bags may be cheaper overall.
Wider issue across the airline industry
Consumer rights expert Jane Hawkes said the problem is not limited to EasyJet. She noted that unclear baggage rules reduce trust and confuse passengers.
Last year, EU lawmakers voted in favor of allowing passengers to carry a bag up to seven kilograms for free. However, the rule still needs approval from member states before it becomes law.
