During the Covid-19 lockdowns, major airlines like Malaysian Airlines, Etihad, and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines implemented little-known changes to their fare structures. These changes affected economy class passengers who were not aware of the new restrictions and ended up paying excessive baggage fees. In the past, economy class fares typically included free checked baggage, but airlines started offering different price categories with varying inclusions like meals, luggage allowance, and seat selection. This was supposed to reduce costs for passengers traveling light. However, as travel resumes, some passengers are discovering unexpected baggage fees after purchasing cheap fares that did not include traditional baggage allowances.
For example, a traveler who bought Malaysian Airlines flights from Sydney to London realized that their economy lite tickets did not include any checked baggage for the first leg of their trip. They would have had to pay $1,750 AUD to add two 23kg checked bags. This was a surprise for the couple and they felt it was an exorbitant fee that they hadn’t budgeted for. They decided to fly with only carry-on luggage and buy additional items once they arrived in Europe. The booking process did not warn them about the baggage discrepancy between their flights.
Another traveler shared a similar experience, calling the fare divisions a “trap.” They booked an economy class ticket without realizing that the basic fare didn’t include any checked baggage allowance. They had to pay extra for “Extra Baggage” and felt scammed by the airline. These incidents highlight the need for clearer notifications during the booking process to avoid such surprises.
Professor Rico Merkert from the University of Sydney explains that many airlines have started unbundling services that were once included with the seat price, following the business model of low-cost carriers like Ryanair and Jetstar. This allows airlines to increase their profits by selling additional services separately. Passengers should consider the total cost of the ticket rather than just the seat price. In Europe and the U.S., there are consumer protection regulations in place to prevent passengers from being misled by low initial fares that significantly increase at checkout.
The additional baggage fees vary depending on the airline and route. Factors like when and where baggage is purchased, and whether it’s done online or at the airport, also impact the fees. It’s important for passengers to be aware of these fees and to check the total cost of their ticket.
The Covid-19 pandemic accelerated the evolution of fare structures as airlines struggled with significantly decreased passenger numbers. Malaysian Airlines introduced its new “Economy Flexible Fare Family” in 2020, offering lite, basic, and flex fare options. Etihad rolled out its “hand-baggage-only” deal fare, S7 Airlines divided its economy class into basic, standard, and plus, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines added economy light to its options, and Virgin Australia introduced Economy Choice, Economy Flex, and Economy Lite. These changes aimed to provide more options for passengers and reflect the fact that not all passengers utilize their checked baggage allowance.
In conclusion, travelers need to be aware of the evolving fare structures introduced by major airlines during the Covid-19 pandemic. It is essential to carefully read the terms and conditions and consider the total cost of the ticket, including additional fees for baggage, to avoid surprises and unexpected expenses. Airlines should also ensure that their booking processes clearly communicate any changes in baggage allowances to prevent customer dissatisfaction.
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