Airlines implanting pre-flight atmosphere disruption policy: "Ruin the pre-flight ambiance"

In a bid to speed up processes and prevent costly delays, budget airline Ryanair has implemented stricter carry-on baggage controls. This measure applies to all German departures, following a similar move by the airline across its network.

Ryanair's new policy focuses on ensuring that all carry-on baggage is securely stowed in the cabin before take-off, and passengers with overweight or oversized carry-on bags will face high additional baggage fees. The airline only allows a small carry-on bag for free in the cheapest tariff, measuring 40x30x20 centimeters. Larger cabin bags can be taken into the cabin for an additional fee, a move that has attracted criticism from consumer advocates and the EU Parliament.

Unlike Ryanair, Lufthansa does not incentivize its ground staff to find overweight or oversized carry-on bags. Instead, Lufthansa crews and ground staff are encouraged to identify and resolve potential problems with excessive carry-on baggage early on. Interestingly, Lufthansa pays bonuses to ground staff who find oversized or overweight carry-on luggage from passengers.

Ryanair, however, incentivizes its ground staff to find such bags. The incentive will increase from 1.50 euros to 2.50 euros per bag piece starting in November. This move is part of Ryanair's determination to eliminate the scourge of oversized baggage that delays boarding and is considered unfair to the over 99 percent of its passengers who comply with its baggage regulations.

The stricter controls have not been without controversy, though. Joachim Vazquez Bürger, the head of the German cabin crew union UFO, warns that overzealous controls are causing additional trouble on board, likening it to creating 'unruly passengers'. Ryanair's spokesperson, however, emphasizes that their goal is to speed up processes and prevent costly delays.

Meanwhile, Ryanair has also announced a new direct flight from Hamburg Airport. The flight, titled "Medieval Charm City", will offer passengers a unique opportunity to explore the historical city of Lincoln in the UK.

In a separate development, low-cost carrier Easyjet's staff at the gates and baggage controls are not directly employed by the airline. This could potentially impact the level of service and control over baggage regulations.

Ryanair's rival, budget airline Ryanair, takes civil legal action against troublemakers, demanding a 500 euro fine per case. The airline has already called for alcohol bans at airports in this context.

In conclusion, Ryanair's stricter carry-on baggage controls aim to streamline processes and prevent delays, despite facing criticism and concerns from some quarters. The airline's focus on ensuring compliance with baggage regulations is evident in its incentives for ground staff and its legal action against troublemakers. Passengers are advised to carefully check their carry-on baggage dimensions to avoid additional fees.

Airlines implanting pre-flight atmosphere disruption policy: "Ruin the pre-flight ambiance"