Brussels Airlines the other airlines in the Lufthansa Group will soon stop offering their passenger a free hand-luggage allowance on on short- and medium-haul flights. The airlines’ new basic fare will include only one personal item, such as a laptop bag or small rucksack. Passengers who wish to bring a standard carry-on bag weighing up to 8kg will be required to pay extra.
Until now, Brussels Airlines’ cheapest tickets included both a personal item (up to 40 x 30 x 15 cm) and a piece of hand luggage (up to 55 x 40 x 23 cm).
The airline says that since not every passenger travels with hand luggage, the new Economy Basic fare gives day trippers and light travellers "an additional option at an attractive entry-level price." Additional hand or hold luggage can be added from 15 euros.
Scheme to be tested on 20 routes from 28 April
The new fare will be introduced on a trial basis on a selection of Lufthansa Group routes from 28 April. Around 20 Brussels Airlines routes, including services to and from Budapest, Hamburg, Krakow, Prague and Stockholm departing on 19 May or later will test the new scheme.
Brussels Airline’s spokesman Nico Cardone told VRT News that the airline intends to extend the scheme to its entire European network in due course.
Once the new price tier is in place passengers will be able to choose between 4 fare options in Economy Class and 3 in Business Class.
In addition to Brussels Airlines, the other airlines in the Lufthansa Group, including Lufthasa Lufthansa, Swiss, Austrian Airlines, Discover Airlines, Lufthansa City Airlines and Air Dolomiti, will also be launching the new fare option.
The change brings the Lufhansa Group airlines into line with many other carriers that have long charged separately for cabin baggage.