Italy’s competition and consumer authority AGCM has opened a formal investigation into easyJet over the way the airline structures and displays checked baggage and sports equipment fees on its website and mobile app.
The authority is examining whether the booking interface misleads consumers about the real cost of baggage on round trips. For return flights, the system allegedly pre-selects by default a bundle covering checked baggage, and in some cases sports equipment, for both outbound and inbound legs, while showing only an average overall price per flight. Customers who intend to purchase baggage for just one segment must interrupt the booking flow and manually change a less visible setting.
AGCM is assessing whether this design creates unclear pricing conditions, distorts passengers’ perception of the total price and restricts their ability to make fully informed choices. The case falls within a broader European debate on transparency of ancillary fees in air transport and on the use of interface designs that nudge users toward higher-priced options.
No fine has been imposed at this stage and no timetable for a final decision has been disclosed. easyJet has not issued a public comment on the Italian proceedings.