EasyJet in Nice: Fight Over Refusal to Pay Baggage Fee
FR

Translated into English.

CE Cerelinde Veteran ·
I didn’t say it was a scam—don’t put words in my mouth. Getting caught out, meaning "a moment of inattention and I didn’t get the service I wanted." There, is that better? 😛
MA Manondugard Regular ·
I didn't say it was a scam, don't put words in my mouth. Getting tricked, meaning "a moment of inattention and I didn't get the service I wanted." There, is that better? 😛

So we don't have the same definition of "almost getting tricked." Best regards!!!
AT Attila Globetrotter ·
Compromise?

But why?

Ending up dealing with all the other passengers because they’d also demand it for free.

Why charge if, when you complain, it becomes free?

Passengers who cause problems from the get-go are often removed to avoid in-flight incidents that could hurt the airline’s profitability.

For alcohol, maybe we’ll end up having to blow into a breathalyzer before boarding...
AT Attila Globetrotter ·
Hey Annabelle,

Yeah, it’s becoming the norm to pay for checked baggage everywhere now.

I always double-check these days.

Cabin baggage rules can also vary from one airline to another (weight or dimensions).

Paying for seats is becoming the norm too. Sometimes it’s really expensive (emergency exits). There are even paid options for upgraded meals now...

The base price hasn’t really gone up, but it doesn’t include the same things as before...

Shrinkflation!
TA Tatra Globetrotter ·
....

When it comes to the airlines I usually fly with, there are generally three or four "commercial" classes for economy tickets. The lowest, often called Light, Promo, or Super Saver, doesn’t include checked baggage but usually allows one carry-on. Then there’s another category, like Standard or Classic, which includes checked baggage, followed by a third, often modifiable or with lounge access. Normally, it’s pretty clear. That said, you should always buy directly from the airline’s website—otherwise, you won’t know exactly what you’re getting. Sometimes, a business-class ticket can even be cheaper than economy, so it’s always worth checking. There’s one little trick I hate, though—Transavia, I think, offers a "small cabin bag" plus checked baggage for less than a cabin-bag-only ticket. In other words, I never fly Transavia. Plus, I can’t stand their awful seats. For paid seat selection, the best strategy is to skip the fee and be the first to check in online. Just be careful—with some airlines, getting upgraded to business right when online check-in opens can cost the same as buying a seat in the emergency exit row.

Michel
TA Tatra Globetrotter ·
Compromise? But why? Ending up dealing with all the other passengers because they’d also demand freebies.

Compromise because what’s important is that check-in happens, boarding goes smoothly, the plane leaves on time, and it doesn’t miss its slot. The rest is just childishness that shouldn’t distract from what really matters. In situations with the public, you have to compromise—a cop, a teacher, a restaurant server, a hotel receptionist—everyone compromises because it’s a sign of intelligence to avoid conflict, even when you’re in the right.

This kind of problematic passenger is very often removed at the gate to prevent in-flight incidents that would hurt the airline’s profitability.

No. That’s a myth.

Michel
MA Manondugard Regular ·
....

When it comes to the airlines I use, there are generally three or four "commercial" classes for economy tickets. The lowest, often called Light, Promo, or Super Saver, doesn’t include checked baggage but usually allows one cabin bag. Then there’s another category, like Standard or Classic, which includes checked baggage, followed by a third, often modifiable or with lounge access. It’s usually pretty clear. That said, make sure to buy directly from the airline’s website—otherwise, you won’t know what you’re actually getting. Sometimes, a business-class ticket can even be cheaper than an economy one, so it’s always worth checking. One little trick I’ve noticed with Transavia, though—they offer a "small cabin bag" plus checked baggage for less than a cabin-bag-only ticket. In other words, I never fly Transavia. Plus, I can’t stand their awful seats. For paid seats, the best solution is not to pay and be the first to check in online. Just be careful—with some airlines, getting upgraded to business right when online check-in opens isn’t more expensive than buying a seat with "emergency exit" access.

Michel

Personally, it’s the opposite for me—I love Transavia’s "green Gini" seats, which I find wider at the hips, meaning under the armrests. As for emergency exit seats, which I’d never pay extra for, I’m "lucky" enough to be 1.78m tall, and the cabin crew—always nice to me—often offers to let me sit there for free, as long as I speak English to help in case of an evacuation (which absolutely won’t happen). But I cheat (yes, milady) 😄
AT Attila Globetrotter ·
Normally it's pretty clear.

It's clear when you're on the airline's website, where I buy my tickets.

It's on the comparison sites where it's not.

The "cabbages" (tickets with baggage included, usually Qatar, Saudia, Oman, Thai...) and the "carrots" (AF, LH, Iberia, etc.) are compared the same way, even though the services aren't the same.

There's no baggage hold option to choose from.

So you have to go to each site to find out what the real price is based on what you're looking for (ticket only, ticket + baggage, ticket + baggage + seat).

It can happen that a business-class ticket is cheaper than an economy ticket,

Yes, I've already bought a long-haul flight that way. But it's extremely rare for long-haul flights.

For premium economy, it happens quite often during school holidays.

I never fly Transavia.

I avoid them because they're not reliable when it comes to sticking to their schedule.

If the plane isn't full enough, they cancel.

But that's the case with all low-cost airlines.

It's better to know this so you only book refundable options afterward (hotels, car rentals, etc.). Also, plan another trip elsewhere (on paper) just in case, to change your destination at the last minute. I sometimes have several itineraries ready just in case...

For paid seats, the best solution is not to pay and be the first to check in online.

Easy when you're alone. Easy on short/medium-haul flights.

Less obvious on long-haul flights, especially if you want specific seats. The computer system puts you wherever it wants, and the choice is increasingly limited even if you're the first to check in.

It's trickier when traveling in pairs and especially with family. If you really want to sit next to someone, it's safer to book in advance.

With some airlines, getting upgraded to business class right when online check-in opens isn't more expensive than buying a seat in the "emergency exit" row.

Never seen that.

But I mostly take long-haul flights.
AT Attila Globetrotter ·
In public-facing situations, you have to compromise; a cop, a teacher, a restaurant server, a hotel receptionist—everyone compromises because it’s a sign of intelligence to avoid conflict, even if you’re in the right.

And that’s how everything goes to hell...

Avoiding a small conflict on the day leads to big conflicts later.

Pushing the rope until it snaps.
ER Erjome Globetrotter ·
In public-facing situations, you have to compromise; a cop, a teacher, a restaurant server, a hotel receptionist—everyone compromises because it’s a sign of intelligence to avoid conflict, even if you’re in the right.

Avoiding conflict doesn’t mean accepting that a customer doesn’t respect the rules. They’re made to be enforced. Zero tolerance. On top of that, you’ll likely get insults, and in the current case, violence. If needed, there are managers, and you can call law enforcement. Result: one person on temporary work leave, and it creates a scheduling problem because they’re probably not being replaced.

No. Legend.

Legend? You’re being sarcastic, I hope?

There are plenty of very complicated situations in airports and on board to fill several pages of a thread. It’s better to detect before boarding those who might disrupt a flight and deny them boarding. Safety first, and troublemakers out. All airlines face this, from low-cost to full-service in business and first class. Unfortunately, it’s become a major issue, and Ryanair, for example, has taken a measure they hope will be a deterrent. Is the person who’s going to issue the fine going to get insulted and beaten up? 😉

Airlines: Ryanair announces the introduction of a fine for disruptive passengers
ER Erjome Globetrotter ·
Normally it's pretty clear. You should always buy from the airline's website, otherwise you don't know what you're buying.

Exactly. But there are many people who, for convenience or lack of knowledge, use resellers where things are often unclear

It can happen that a business-class ticket is cheaper than an economy ticket—you should always check.

This can be the case with a flexible economy class (modifiable and refundable) compared to a discounted business class with restrictions (penalties for cancellation/modification).

For paid seats, the best solution is not to pay and be the first to check in online.

And then you’ll get whatever seat is left 😉 If it works for you, great. If you’re stuck in a bad seat, tough luck. Whether it’s economy, premium, or business, I always reserve my seat on long-haul flights. For Europe, it’s easier to manage, even if a 3-hour flight can sometimes feel long.

Also, be careful—with some airlines, getting upgraded to business right when online check-in opens isn’t more expensive than buying an "exit row" seat.

Exit row seats will always be much cheaper than an upgrade. Depending on the destination and airline, these seats can range from 30 to 120 €. A great option when you want more space, the airline doesn’t offer premium economy, and business class costs an arm and a leg 😉
TA Tatra Globetrotter ·
This can be the case with an unrestricted economy class (modifiable and refundable) compared to a discounted business class with restrictions (penalties for cancellation/modification).

In the specific case I’m thinking of, it was cheaper than restrictive economy.

And then you’ll keep the seat 😉 If it works for you, great. If you’re stuck in a bad seat, tough luck. Whether it’s economy, premium, or business, I always reserve my seat on long-haul flights. For Europe, it’s easier to manage, even if a 3-hour flight can sometimes feel long.

I also have priority due to my status, so I don’t always realize it—but in any case, I’ve always easily gotten good seats.

Emergency exit seats will always be much cheaper than an upgrade. Depending on the destination and airline, these seats can range from 30 to 120 €.

A European airline this summer: "extra-legroom seat + lounge access" offer for 81 euros, business class offer (business seat, meal, priority boarding, priority counter, fast-track, and lounge) for 89 euros.

Michel
TA Tatra Globetrotter ·
Very complicated situations in airports and on board—enough to fill several pages of a topic. It's better to detect before boarding those who might disrupt a flight and deny them boarding. Safety first, and troublemakers out.

No. Passengers aren’t cargo or livestock, and when you transport humans, you’re dealing with diverse, fragile, sensitive, or even impaired personalities. The job is to handle it smoothly. To me, your reaction is pretty shocking and unrealistic: you can’t purge planes of passengers who *might* react badly. Otherwise, you’d end up banning hundreds of thousands of people—those on medication, in withdrawal, ill, depressed, etc. So we do our best with the human condition. In this situation, there’s a professional and a non-professional. It’s the professional’s responsibility to be trained, competent, calm, and skilled. Like in policing, retail, or teaching… The teacher who storms in with grand principles and a rigid attitude ends up in their underwear and depressed within three months. And that’s not the public’s fault—it’s theirs and their employer’s.

Michel
AT Attila Globetrotter ·
So, according to your reasoning, I can kick up a fuss to get upgraded to business class the next time I fly.

To avoid a scene at boarding, I’d supposedly get a free upgrade.

Dunno... I’ve got a feeling that won’t work...

I’ll never make it to my destination.

I find it weird that they reward bad behavior. It’s totally demotivating for everyone else.
TA Tatra Globetrotter ·
So, according to your reasoning, I can make a scene to get upgraded to business class the next time I fly. To avoid a fuss at boarding, I’d be entitled to an upgrade. I dunno... I’ve got a feeling that won’t work...

It won’t work because well-trained staff will refuse with a smile, judging correctly that you’ll accept the refusal.

I find it strange that there’s a reward for bad behavior. It’s completely demotivating for others.

We don’t know anything about this passenger’s psychological, mental, or moral state. He might be under treatment, chronically ill, severely depressed, an alcoholic, or going through withdrawal. He might just be an idiot, but that doesn’t justify labeling every excessive emotional outburst in an airport as "bad behavior." Traveling is stressful—there can be alcohol involved, the atmosphere in airports, especially in France, is oppressive and threatening, and that affects people’s personalities. Staff, who are trained, must avoid fights at all costs, and in my opinion, letting themselves get dragged into one is a professional failure.

Michel
AT Attila Globetrotter ·
judging that you’ll accept this refusal.

I could take acting classes or imitate certain people to get this privilege if I’m sure I’ll get it...

If I understand you right, normal-ish people never get anything, but troublemakers do?

We don’t know anything about this passenger’s psychological, mental, or moral state.

If this person was in such bad shape, why were they traveling?

Plus, there were two of them causing major discipline issues.

Two unruly passengers on the same flight? That’s just bad luck...
TA Tatra Globetrotter ·
If I understand you correctly, normal-ish people never get anything, but the troublemakers do?

It’s up to the agent to judge whether someone is a troublemaker who’ll respond to a firm, rational refusal or a passenger who won’t accept a reasonable deal—and in that case, yeah, the agent backs down. Don’t you think a teacher does the same thing? A cop too, for that matter.

If this person was in such bad shape, why were they traveling?

Do you realize what you’re saying? Do you know how many people in France live with chronic or psychiatric illnesses? Your idea is to exclude sick people from traveling? Inclusivity isn’t a thing anymore, then?

Plus, there were two people with major discipline issues.

Two sick people on the same flight? Tough luck…

There are vulnerable people on every flight.

Michel
MU Muriel18 Globetrotter ·
In the case in question, I'm not sure that losing it and coming to blows qualifies as a psychological issue (unless we include intolerance to frustration in that category)
TA Tatra Globetrotter ·
For the case in question, I'm not sure that losing it and coming to blows qualifies as any kind of psychological issue (unless intolerance to frustration falls into that category)

You don’t know, and neither do I. Maybe I have a closeness and familiarity with mental illness that shapes my perspective—wrongly or not.

Michel
MU Muriel18 Globetrotter ·
Same here, and that’s exactly why I think statistically it’s not impossible, but still highly unlikely.

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