Passengers flying with low-cost airline Wizz Air could face fines of 55 to 65 euros if they carry a neck pillow during boarding, according to aviation news site avianews.com.
The Hungarian budget carrier classifies neck pillows as full separate pieces of hand luggage, even when passengers wear them around their necks while waiting to board.
Official Wizz Air rules state that a neck pillow is not treated as an extra free item. If the pillow cannot fit inside a passenger's permitted hand luggage allowance, airline staff will class it as an additional item subject to oversized or excess baggage charges.
Travelers on social media reported that gate staff do not always enforce the rule for neck pillows. However, passengers still run the risk of meeting strict gate agents who choose to inspect their luggage.
The risk of receiving a fee is highest for passengers traveling on Wizz Air's basic fare with minimum baggage allowance. Basic tickets permit only one small backpack measuring up to 40 by 30 by 20 centimetres, making it nearly impossible to squeeze in a traditional bulky neck pillow.
Avoiding extra baggage fees
To avoid potential fines at airport control, avianews.com noted that inflatable neck pillows offer a practical solution. Deflated pillows easily fit inside a pocket or small backpack while passing through security and boarding gates.
Wizz Air is a major European low-cost carrier operating flights across Europe and the Middle East. Like many budget airlines, the company enforces strict cabin bag size limits and charges additional fees at the gate for items exceeding standard dimensions.
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