Brussels Airlines is set to revise its fare structure on short and medium-haul routes by eliminating free overhead cabin baggage for its lowest-priced tickets. Currently, travelers on the Economy Light fare can bring both a personal item and a standard cabin bag. However, the newly introduced Economy Basic fare will restrict passengers to carrying only a small personal item that can fit under the seat, such as a handbag, laptop bag, or small backpack.
Those who wish to travel with a larger cabin suitcase under the new fare system will need to either upgrade to a higher fare category or incur an additional fee. The airline plans to test this new fare starting April 28, with flights scheduled to depart from May 19 on selected routes. If successful, Brussels Airlines intends to expand this fare structure across its European network.
This shift is part of a larger strategic initiative within the Lufthansa Group, encompassing Brussels Airlines, Lufthansa, Swiss, Austrian Airlines, Discover Airlines, Lufthansa City Airlines, and Air Dolomiti. The group suggests that this change will offer more flexibility to passengers, allowing those traveling light to benefit from lower fares. Nonetheless, passengers accustomed to carrying cabin luggage may find their overall travel costs unchanged, as they will need to pay for baggage fees.
The new policy is expected to mostly affect business travelers, frequent flyers, expatriates, and families, who often depend on cabin baggage to bypass checked luggage fees and reduce airport delays. Passengers are advised to scrutinize fare conditions before booking and to consider the total travel cost, including any baggage fees, rather than focusing solely on the ticket’s face value.
While the new fare could provide savings for travelers with only a personal item, for many others, the lowest-priced ticket might not equate to the lowest overall travel cost. As these changes take effect, passengers will need to weigh their options carefully to determine the most economical choice for their travel needs.