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Travelers heading to Cuba have reported that the airline World2Fly is charging a fee of 150 euros for luggage that does not meet specific size and structure requirements, which has caused discomfort and confusion at the Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport.
In statements to CiberCuba, a traveler explained that extra charges were imposed on individuals carrying rolling cloth bags with handles; on an elderly man with a shopping cart (made of fabric with a metal frame) filled with miscellaneous items, and on passengers who had boxes or the classic checkered Chinese bag (also known as a laundry or moving bag) made of polypropylene, a high-strength plastic.
The company reported that the charge is recorded as a fee for "special luggage" and applies to suitcases that do not have a rectangular or square shape with all smooth sides, as stated in the regulations published on the World2Fly website.
The airline states that "to be accepted as checked baggage, the item must be rectangular or square in shape, with all sides smooth. Any item that is circular, oval, irregular, or with non-flat surfaces will be considered special baggage and subject to specific conditions."
World2Fly also reminds that checked luggage cannot exceed 23 kilograms in weight, although it is allowed to reach 27 with an additional fee, and it recommends not to include medicines, jewelry, or important documents in that baggage.
"The suitcase must not exceed 158 cm (height + width + length). Handles, pockets, and wheels must be included in these dimensions," they warn.
Each passenger is allowed to bring one carry-on bag weighing up to 10 kilograms, as well as a small personal item.
Several affected passengers explained that when they tried to check in, they were informed that their luggage did not meet the criteria of "flat surfaces" or "rectangular shape" and they had to pay the additional fee.
This strict regulation has caused discomfort among travelers arriving at the airport without information about this change in checked baggage policy. "Underground luggage sellers" have also started to emerge, but CiberCuba has not been able to confirm the price these individuals are asking for that merchandise.
Airport sources indicated that such situations usually depend on the classification that each airline applies to its special luggage, so the check-in staff acts according to the internal regulations of each company.
Barajas had already warned about stricter controls
Since December, Madrid-Barajas airport tightened the controls on luggage for flights to Cuba. The agency Cuba Tulike warned about possible costs and delays in the check-in of round or unstable base packages, commonly known as bola bags.
In this context, the new formal requirement from World2Fly raises concerns among Cuban passengers, who often travel with a large amount of luggage intended for family members on the island.
Some passengers point out that the measure complicates their flight planning and increases expenses at a time of high demand and economic constraints.
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