Easyjet has dropped its guaranteed cabin baggage policy, meaning more passengers face having their luggage put in the hold.
The airline previously allowed passengers with carry-on luggage measuring 50 x 40 x 20cm or less to keep their bags with them on board, while those who took larger bags up to the maximum size permitted - 56 x 45 x 25cm - risked being asked to put their luggage in the hold (see news, May 2013).
However, now passengers have no guarantee that their hand luggage will be permitted on board.
Members of Easyjet Plus, which costs £170 a year, and passengers paying for 'Up Front' seats, at a cost of £9.99 per person, or those paying extra for flexible fares or more legroom, are exempt.
These passengers may also bring a second bag measuring up to 45 x 36 x 20cm on board.
Passengers with hand luggage larger than 56 x 45 x 25cm face a £30 charge to place it in the hold at check-in or £45 at the gate.
A spokesperson told the Daily Telegraph that Easyjet still has "the most generous cabin bag policies with no weight limit".
Last week, Easyjet's UK cabin crew voted in favour of a combined pay proposal put forward by the low-cost carrier, removing the threat of industrial action over the summer (see news, August 3).
Tom Newcombe