The budget carrier Norwegian is changing its baggage policy in an effort to fleece more money off customers booking with the airline from yesterday, 23rd January.
The airline will only be allowing those with low fare plus tickets to bring hand baggage that goes in the overhead luggage compartments, yet not charging for a small bag that goes under the seat in front of you and restricts your already limited legroom.
Hand baggage and ticket types:
LowFare: Passengers with LowFare tickets can now only bring one underseat bag. The maximum weight of the underseat bag is 10 kilos.
An overhead cabin bag can be purchased up to four hours prior to departure. The price of an additional overhead cabin bag is between five and nine GBP, depending on the flight.
LowFare+: Passengers with a LowFare+ ticket can bring one overhead cabin bag, which can be stored in the overhead lockers, in addition to the underseat bag.
The maximum combined weight is 10 kilos. If the cabin is full, LowFare+ customers’ hand baggage will be checked at the gate free of charge.
For those who wish to secure space for their hand baggage in the overhead lockers, Priority Boarding can be added to their booking and they will be amongst the first to board the aircraft. LowFare+ customers can also bring one checked bag with a maximum weight of 23 kilos.
Flex/Premium/PremiumFlex: Passengers with a Flex, Premium or PremiumFlex ticket can bring one overhead cabin bag, which can be stored in the overhead lockers, in addition to the underseat bag. The maximum combined weight is 15 kilos.
In addition, Flex, Premium or PremiumFlex customers can bring two checked bags with a maximum weight of 23 kilos each.
So that's all clear then? Hmm, seems a little muddled and you can guarantee there will be arguments at Gatwick and folks with underseat bags will put them in the overhead luggage lockers anyway.
Cecilie Nybรธ Carlsen, VP Product Management at Norwegian said: "All customers, regardless of ticket type, can bring one underseat bag to be stored under the seat in front of them. If customers don’t need any additional hand baggage, they can choose our LowFare ticket at no additional costs. Those who wish to bring an additional overhead cabin bag can do so at a small additional cost prior to departure or choose a different ticket type when booking their ticket,” said
Max weight of the underseat bag is 10 kilos.
Max weight of checked baggage is 23 kilo
Max combined weight of hand baggage for Flex and Premium tickets is15 kilos.
Nybรธ Carlsen bemoans the size of Norwegian's aircraft “most of our aircraft carry 186 passengers and has space for around 80 overhead cabin bags."
"It is a common misperception that there is enough room in the cabin for all passengers to bring an overhead cabin bag. - We encourage customers to be on time for boarding to ensure those with overhead cabin bags have early access to the overhead lockers.
For more information about the new policy, please see www.norwegian.com/uk/hand-baggage
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