A disgruntled traveler has accused easyJet of unfairly targeting him, claiming that the airline made him demonstrate his luggage fit the sizer four times before allowing him to board his flight.
Richard Deakin, a 37-year-old, was departing from London Luton Airport for a brief trip to visit a friend in Málaga, Spain on September 28, traveling with only carry-on luggage. Despite having packed clothes for his stay, he also included four containers of gravy granules for his friend’s mom.
Despite acknowledging his frustration, Richard complied when asked to test his bag in the sizer. Although he found it difficult to fit, he insisted it was compliant, whereas the staff disagreed. Annoyed, he had another passenger film him proving that his bag did fit.
In a video shared on TikTok, Richard can be seen pushing his bag into the sizer until it finally fits. The clip, viewed over 106,000 times, shows Richard questioning the staff about the fitting requirements.
Richard claims he was instructed to test his bag two more times under supervision, prompting him to remove a book and battery pack to avoid missing his flight. He argues that forcing passengers to pay fines for compliant luggage is a profit-oriented strategy that should be challenged.
While some social media users supported Richard, others criticized him for his assertive behavior towards the staff. Richard, from Halesowen, West Midlands, defended his actions, stating that he was trying to stand up for what he believed was right.
Encouraging fellow travelers to stand up against excessive baggage fees for compliant luggage, Richard emphasized the importance of challenging such practices. He highlighted the frustration of paying extra for luggage that meets requirements and could easily fit in the overhead compartments.
Responding to the incident, an easyJet spokesperson clarified that customers are charged only if their bags exceed size limits. The airline prioritizes customer fairness and safety, not tolerating aggressive behavior towards their ground crew. Once Richard successfully demonstrated his bag’s compliance, he was permitted to board without any additional charges.