EasyJet investigated over claims baggage pricing misleads passengers

Italy’s antitrust regulator has opened a formal investigation into easyJet following allegations that the airline may have used unfair commercial practices in the way it presents baggage charges to customers. The probe examines how the low‑cost carrier s tructures and displays its luggage fees on its website and mobile app , amid concerns that passengers may not be receiving clear or accurate pricing information. According to the Autorità Garante della Concorrenza e del Mercato (AGCM), travellers were often given a distorted impression of what they were paying because checked bags and sports equipment were automatically bundled for both legs of a return journey by default, the Mirror reports. According to the regulator, this approach meant travellers were shown only an overall average price, even when they did not intend to buy baggage for both directions of their trip. The regulator noted that anyone looking to add luggage for a single leg of their trip was required to interrupt the booking process in order to change this setting. It further stated that this is a step the vast majority of consumers would be unlikely to spot or successfully navigate. The inquiry will establish whether easyJet's booking system created confusing pricing conditions and restricted passengers' ability to make fully informed decisions. "We are aware of the proceedings initiated by the AGCM and will fully cooperate with the authority throughout its investigation," the airline's spokesperson told Euronews. "We believe we have always acted in accordance with applicable consumer protection legislation and remain committed to ensuring complete transparency and fairness for our customers. We will now carefully review the Authority's decision and consider what action to take." Ensure our latest news and sport headlines always appear at the top of your Google Search by making us a Preferred Source. Click here to activate or add us as Preferred Source. Back in May 2021, the AGCM handed easyJet and fellow carriers Ryanair and Volotea a €2.8 million fine for failing to provide cash refunds for flights scrapped when Italy relaxed its COVID-19 travel restrictions. The airlines had offered vouchers in lieu of reimbursement. EasyJet lodged an appeal, however the Lazio Regional Administrative Court in Rome threw out the challenge in February 2025.