Spanish airports could be in hot water over controversial ‘jacket policy’

Hoping and praying your carry on bag fits in the baggage sizer is a universal experience.

And with major airlines such as Ryanair and EasyJet financially incentivising their staff to weed out oversized suitcases, your chances of getting caught out are pretty high.

But Wizz Air are now facing backlash, after British traveller, Mia Peltier (@mileswithmia), shared a video of Spanish airport staff in Alicante attempting to charge her €75 (£64.69) for a cabin bag which appeared to be the right size.

She was also told by staff that they were enforcing a ‘one jacket per person’ policy, and that she was wearing too many items of clothing.

Now, the airline has revealed to Metro that the it is investigating multiple reports of ‘overly strict’ enforcement of hand luggage policies at certain Spanish airports.

Wizz Air said: ‘[We are] aware of reports regarding overly strict baggage checks at some Spanish airports. The airline is investigating the matter and has already consulted with its ground handling partner regarding the correct procedures.’

Wizz Air also clarified that there is no such ‘jacket policy’.

‘There are no restrictions on the number of layers of clothing that a passenger may wear when boarding,’ the spokesperson added.

Ultimately, the airline reiterated that a customer should only be charged if any part of their bag extends beyond the dimensions of the sizer.

Mia’s clip has already hit 5.8 million views on TikTok. Upset, she can be heard saying: ‘How does that not fit? It fits!’ repeatedly.

She adds that she needs to get home and that her bag is in fact the right size.

The staff then claim that Mia is wearing too many clothes or layers, and that she needed to put some in her bag.

‘It’s only one jacket per person,’ the airport worker says in the video.

Spanish speakers in the comments also claim the women in the video were saying: ‘We haven’t been able to charge anyone, we need to charge her.’

Fortunately Mia did not have to pay the £64 after another staff member intervened.

People in the comments were quick to sympathise saying, ‘this is so wicked’ and ‘that’s a mockery’.

‘I’m so happy you didn’t back down despite stress because the bag fits,’ wrote one.

‘”It’s only one jacket per person” where is that written?’ added another. ‘I’ve travelled with a jacket on and a jacket in my hands.’

‘This is outrageous,’ said a fellow TikToker.

When Metro contacted Wizz Air about Mia’s experience, they responded with an apology.

‘Wizz Air apologises to passengers who are incorrectly charged for baggage,’ a spokesperson told Metro.

Unlike Ryanair and EasyJet, Wizz Air specified employees of the airline don’t receive commission for identifying and charging customers for oversized hand luggage.

But the airline explained: ‘At all airports served by Wizz Air, carry-on baggage checks are conducted by local ground handling partners contracted by the airline.

‘These handlers are entitled to charge extra handling fees for customers who arrive with oversized cabin baggage. These fees are clearly displayed at the airport and explained to any passengers who are charged.’

It’s unclear whether the staff earn commission from their employer (separate to Wizz Air) for spotting oversized bags, or not.

Wizz Air encourages refund claims to be submitted via the website or mobile app using the baggage check-in receipt, supported by a photograph where possible.

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