The Italian Competition Authority launched an investigation into easyJet on May 26, 2026, because it believes the airline's online booking process may have been misleading regarding the fees for checked baggage and sports equipment for round-trip flights. The decision does not mean that the authority has already established a violation, but it is an important warning for every Hungarian traveler: when booking summer flight tickets, it is not enough to look at the base fare of the ticket; additional fees, which differ by route and direction, must be checked separately.
The case is particularly timely because many Hungarian passengers book low-cost flights to Italy, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, France, or other European destinations during the summer travel season. The final total of tickets that seem cheap often changes significantly after adding baggage, seat selection, priority services, and other add-ons. The current Italian proceeding shows exactly that the structure of the booking interface, the default options, and the presentation of prices can significantly influence how well a passenger understands exactly what they are paying for.
What Happened in Italy?
According to a statement from the Autorità Garante della Concorrenza e del Mercato, or the Italian Competition and Consumer Protection Authority, proceedings have been initiated against easyJet Airline Company Limited for alleged unfair commercial practices. The authority claims that the airline may have designed the online purchase process for checked baggage and sports equipment on its website and app in such a way that for round-trip flights, only the average price of the service was communicated, while the add-on was offered together for both flight segments as a default.
\nIn the AGCM's interpretation, this practice may have misled consumers regarding the actual price for individual flight segments. The authority also criticized that if a passenger wanted to purchase checked baggage or sports equipment for only one direction, they had to deviate from the default setting through separate steps, sometimes even interrupting the booking process. According to the Italian statement, the investigation began after a previous so-called moral suasion, which the authority believes easyJet did not comply with.
News agency and professional reports highlighted the same main claim: the focus of the investigation is not generally the existence of baggage fees, but whether the passenger clearly saw during booking how much the service cost separately for the outbound and return journeys. This is an important distinction. In the low-cost model, the fee charged for baggage is not extraordinary in itself, but the transparent, comparable, and decision-supporting presentation of prices is a consumer protection issue.
Not a Fine, but an Investigation: Why is This Clarification Important?
In the current case, it is currently a matter of initiating proceedings. This means that the Italian authority is investigating the practice, but based on the available information, it cannot yet be stated that easyJet committed a violation. In a statement to Euronews, the airline stated that it is cooperating with the authority and, in its view, has always acted in accordance with applicable consumer protection laws, and is further committed to transparency and fairness.
Nevertheless, the story is instructive for passengers, because the investigation highlights a booking situation that many encounter. For a weekend city break, it may happen that someone flies out with only a small bag, but wants checked baggage on the way back because they shopped, are bringing gifts, or are joining a longer trip. The same applies to sports equipment: in the case of ski equipment, bicycles, golf bags, or other large packages, it is not at all certain that the passenger requests the same service in both directions.
If the booking system makes the round-trip package the natural choice, it can be convenient for those who truly want the same for both directions. However, for those who would only request baggage for one flight segment, checking the final total and manually modifying the options becomes particularly important. From the perspective of a Hungarian traveler, the most important lesson is therefore not to avoid booking with easyJet, but not to take the offered add-ons as automatic.
What Does This Mean for Hungarian Travelers?
Starting from Hungary, easyJet and other low-cost airlines are tools for flexible, price-sensitive European travel for many passengers. For flights departing from Budapest Liszt Ferenc Airport, the decision often concerns not only which day the base ticket price is lowest, but also what the total travel cost will be including baggage, airport transfers, accommodation, and potential modification risks.
Italy is a particularly good example of this, as it is a popular destination for both short city breaks and longer vacations. Someone searching for tickets from Budapest to Milan or Budapest to Rome can easily find flights with similar prices, but the baggage options, airport location, and return baggage needs may differ significantly. The cost structure of a weekend with carry-on baggage and a one-week tour of Italy is completely different.
According to easyJet's official baggage information, every passenger can take one small under-seat carry-on bag free of charge, while larger carry-on baggage, checked bags, and sports equipment are separately purchasable services. This is a transparent starting point in itself, but in the booking process, prices can change dynamically according to route, time, date, capacity, and chosen service. Therefore, it is not worth starting from a previous booking or a general advertising message: every specific trip must be checked before final payment.
What to Watch For During Booking?
The most common misunderstanding with baggage fees is that the passenger sees the total round-trip price but does not check how the cost is divided between the two directions. This can be particularly problematic if they do not need checked baggage in one direction. Another common mistake is that many confuse the small carry-on bag with the larger overhead cabin trolley. The two are not the same: the small bag usually goes under the seat, while the larger cabin suitcase can only be taken with separate authorization or for a separate fee.
- Check the baggage options for the outbound and return journeys separately, especially for round-trip bookings.
- Check if the system has added checked baggage, sports equipment, or other add-ons as a default.
- On the final summary page before payment, compare the base ticket price and the total fee for additional services.
- If baggage is only needed for one direction, look for the option to modify by direction and do not rely on the automatically offered package.
- Take a screenshot or save the booking confirmation if a fee needs to be disputed later.
These steps are not only useful in the case of easyJet. Most low-cost airlines separate the base ticket and additional services, so the transparency of the total price is a central issue in every online booking. A passenger has a real choice only if they clearly see what is mandatory, what is optional, what is automatically included with the ticket, and what costs extra money.
Why Could This Case Have a Market Impact?
Baggage fees are not minor details in aviation. In the European low-cost model, ancillary revenues play a significant role, as they finance more flexible pricing and a wider route network alongside low base fares. Consumer protection authorities, however, are increasingly sensitive to the fact that extra services should not only be legally optional but should also appear as an unambiguous choice on the interface.
If an official investigation eventually results in changes to the booking process, it may extend beyond a single airline. Other market players may also monitor what expectations European consumer protection and competition authorities formulate regarding prices, default settings, and digital decision paths. In the long run, this could be beneficial for Hungarian travelers, as more comparable prices support stronger competition and more conscious consumer decisions.
At the same time, the situation does not mean that every extra fee would be problematic. Airlines are rightfully allowed to offer separate services at different prices if the conditions are clear. The question is whether the passenger understands at the moment of decision exactly what they are choosing, what they are paying for, which flight segment the service applies to, and what alternatives they have.
Practical Conclusion Before the Summer Season
The most important message of the current Italian investigation for Hungarian travelers is that the final price of a flight ticket is decided in the details. Someone traveling with only a small backpack will find a different offer truly favorable than someone starting a family vacation, a longer tour, or traveling with sports equipment. It is worth performing the search based on realistic baggage needs from the start, rather than selecting the lowest base ticket first and then facing the added fees at the end.
Before a trip to Italy or other European destinations, it is advisable to include airport logistics in the decision. In the case of Milan, Rome, Naples, London, or Basel, it matters which airport the passenger arrives at, how much time it takes to get to the city, and how much further transport costs. For example, those arriving at Milan Malpensa Airport should also review the Malpensa airport transfer options in advance, as a flight that seems cheaper may not always be the most favorable in terms of total travel cost.
The AGCM proceeding is therefore not panic news, but a useful reminder. On digital booking interfaces, every pre-checked service, average price, and package offer should be consciously checked. If the official investigation eventually brings greater transparency, both passengers and and fair competing airlines will benefit. Until then, the best protection is for the Hungarian traveler to not just choose a flight ticket, but to calculate the total travel cost.
Sources and Verified Facts
The article is based on the AGCM statement of May 26, 2026, from the Italian Competition Authority, reports from the ANSA and Reuters news agencies, the Euronews report including the easyJet statement, and easyJet's official baggage information. Based on current information, the case is in the investigation stage, therefore the article does not claim that a violation occurred.