Brussels Airlines is set to revamp its fare structure, eliminating free overhead cabin baggage from its most economical tickets on short and medium-haul flights. The current Economy Light fare, which permits passengers to carry both a personal item and a cabin bag, will be replaced by the Economy Basic fare. Under this new offering, travelers can only bring a small personal item that fits under the seat, such as a handbag, laptop bag, or small backpack.
For those who need to carry a larger cabin suitcase, an upgrade to a higher fare category or payment of an extra fee will be necessary. This fare change is slated for a trial run starting April 28, affecting flights from May 19 on select routes. Should the trial prove successful, the new fare structure could be expanded across the airline’s European network.
This adjustment is part of a broader initiative within the Lufthansa Group, which includes airlines such as Brussels Airlines, Lufthansa, Swiss, Austrian Airlines, Discover Airlines, Lufthansa City Airlines, and Air Dolomiti. The airlines argue that this modification offers greater flexibility and allows travelers with minimal luggage to benefit from lower ticket prices. However, those accustomed to flying with cabin baggage might find the overall cost unchanged once baggage fees are factored in.
The new policy is likely to significantly impact business travelers, frequent flyers, expatriates, and families who often depend on cabin baggage to avoid checked luggage fees and minimize airport waiting times. Passengers are encouraged to thoroughly check fare conditions before purchasing tickets and to consider the complete travel cost, including baggage fees, rather than just the ticket price.
While the new fare could yield savings for those traveling light, many others might discover that the lowest advertised ticket price no longer equates to the most economical travel option when additional baggage costs are included.