Budget airline Transavia may start charging passengers for bringing luggage into the plane, the company has told the AD. “We are one of the few budget airlines that do not yet do it,” a spokesman told the paper. “It is one of the options we are now looking at. 

Since fees were introduced for hold luggage several years ago, an increasing number of travellers bring cabin luggage only, and that in turn has put pressure on space. Two years ago Transavia introduced a reservation system for travellers who wanted to be sure their luggage did fit in the cabin.

Handbags would still be transported free of change and, the spokesman said, no decisions have yet been taken. 

The European parliament has called for a more standardized approach to cabin luggage fees and sizes to stop the current confusing situation for passengers. 

Ryanair now only allows items that fit under seats to be taken on board the plane and WizzAir and EasyJet have brought in similar restrictions.