NEW CABIN BAGGAGE POLICY TO IMPROVE ON-TIME PERFORMANCE AND CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE TESTED
2012-07-19 — /travelprnews.com/ — Wizz Air, the largest low-cost, low-fare airline in Central and Eastern Europe, today announced it will start testing a new cabin baggage policy from August 1, 2012 to enhance on-time performance and improve customer experience during aircraft boarding. The test, which will run from next month on all flights from London Luton to Katowice (and return), responds to a growing problem for the short-haul industry that the limited space on board aircraft reduces convenience and comfort during boarding when too many carry-on bags are brought into the cabin. Bags are routinely off-loaded by airline crews due to lack of space, often causing delays. To further enhance on-time performance and reduce passenger’s inconvenience, especially for those traveling with children or elderly people, customers are now incentivized to bring smaller bags.
Beginning July 9th, passengers booking seats on the trial route for travel from August 1st onwards can travel with a free small cabin bag or pay a €10 online fee to bring a large cabin bag on board. Those choosing to pay for large cabin baggage will benefit from an early boarding (right after priority passengers) to guarantee space in the overhead compartments for all large cabin baggage. Optional checked-in baggage continues to be available to all passengers. The new fee for large cabin baggage will incentivize passengers to bring one small bag instead. Goods purchased at the airport (an important source of revenue for Wizz Air’s 78 airport partners) will continue to be allowed in the cabin for free. Wizz Air believes this test will reduce boarding hassle and improve on-time performance and result in an overall better travel experience. The trial is planned to end in late August; however, if the findings are not conclusive, the trial might be extended. If the trial proves successful this new cabin baggage policy will be rolled out through the entire Wizz Air network.
Test on London Luton to Katowice and Katowice to London Luton from 1 August
| Cabin Baggage Type | Size | Max weight | Examples | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small cabin bag | Up to 42x32x25cm | 10kg. | handbag, rucksack, laptop bag, (must fit under the seat) | FREE |
| Large cabin baggage | Larger than small cabin bag and up to 55x40x20cm | 10kg. | trolley baggage | €10 (online) |
Cabin baggage policy: 1 small cabin bag OR 1 large cabin bag per pax. Goods purchased at the airport after security will also be allowed in the cabin for free!
“Wizz Air pioneers in returning consumer friendliness to low cost air travel: our customers praise Wizz Air’s helpful and friendly crews and products tailored for families, such as the Wizz Xclusive Club. Wizz Air will now improve the least popular part of flying – the often stressful and inconvenient boarding process. We believe an online fee as low as €10 for large cabin baggage will encourage most passengers to bring only one small cabin bag that could easily fit under the seat. This will make boarding a more pleasant experience without the discomfort of congested cabin aisles, overfilling of the reduced storage space and consequent delays for offloading excess baggage. Less weight in the cabin will also result in less fuel burn, reduce costs and protect the environment. We hope our passengers will enjoy these benefits during the test on the London-Katowice route. If the test proves successful we will be rolling out our new cabin baggage policy and the benefit of the best boarding experience in the industry to all of our 244 routes across 28 countries,” – said Daniel de Carvalho, Corporate Communications Manager at Wizz Air.