Airline: 10 'bizarre' things fliers have done to avoid bag fees
Airline passengers love to grumble about the add-on fees that have become commonplace when flying. Especially high on that list are checked-luggage charges now in place at most carriers. So, how can fliers avoid paying those fees?
They could earn elite status with their preferred carrier. Or they could apply for an airline credit card that comes with waivers for fees. Some, however, turn to some more unorthodox measures after arriving to the airport.
European low-cost carrier Norwegian Air decided to shine a spotlight on the latter, revealing some of the “most bizarre” things its passengers have done to avoid paying fees to check a bag.
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Norwegian Air queried 50 of its ground staff at its London Gatwick hub on the subject. The airline used those responses to compile a top ten list on the “most bizarre attempts by passengers to avoid checking-in their hand baggage when their bag failed to meet carry-on requirements.”
Norwegian says one passenger was so flummoxed by a checked bag fee that the customer opted to give up his bag and told the airline to donate it to charity. That didn’t even make the No. 1 spot on Norwegian Air’s most-bizarre list (below).
“Between Christmas and New Year marks a busy end to a busy year for Norwegian in the UK and so we’ve gathered this research to put a lighter touch on an area that affects all airlines,” Norwegian Air spokesman Stuart Buss says in a statement about why the carrier published such a list.
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For the record, Norwegian Air allows passengers to bring a small personal item at no charge. Beyond that, one carry-on is also permitted, but it cannot exceed 22 pounds on the airline’s lowest fares. As for checked-bag fees, they vary by route. They range from €9 (about $9.84) for a first bag on short routes to €66 (about $72) on long-haul overseas routes.
The airline’s full top 10 list of “bizarre passenger attempts at avoiding checking-in hand baggage":
1. Wore three pairs of trousers, with a pair of shoes stuffed in the jacket pockets
2. Decided to give up their bag and asked for it to be donated to charity
3. Carried a beloved pet’s ashes in their handbag and wanted leniency
4. Tried to bribe gate staff with newly bought chocolates from duty free
5. Refused to comply by repeating “Me no speak any English”
6. Two pairs of jeans were doubled up and worn as a “double denim” scarf
7. Claimed their bag contains fragile antique pottery
8. Wore two layers of suits
9. Insisted their credit card is maxed out with no money left to pay
10. Wore two winter coats and tied three (sweaters) around their waist