PASSENGERS have been left fuming after being forced to check in their hand luggage – only to find the overhead lockers empty anyway.
Several disgruntled travellers took to social media to share their fury – targeted at multiple airlines.
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One United Airlines passenger posted on X: “thank you for stopping me on the jetway saying the overhead bins are full and I have to check my bag.
“Really appreciate you lying to our faces to save yourself time but cost me time on the backend.”
The passenger went on to say they’d been forced to part ways with their bag despite paying for priority boarding.
They said: “Glad priority boarding comes with no perks anymore.”
Another passenger, who had boarded an American Airlines flight from San Luis Obispo, USA to Dallas, USA, wrote: “So angry rn @AmericanAir.
“Was just forced to gate check my roll aboard because I was told the overhead space was full.
“This is the overhead bin directly across from my seat. #AmateurHour.”
A second American Airlines customer posted a picture of empty overhead lockers to the r/americanairlines subreddit, saying: “Weird experience with gate agent checking bags.”
It comes as European passengers learn they will likely experience a hike in flight prices as several airlines bump up hidden costs.
This includes an increase in seat reservation prices by the Lufthansa group – affecting Austrian Airlines, Lufthansa and Swiss Air.
Meanwhile, Wizz Air passengers were furious to discover their flights had been cancelled amid a confusing “technical issue” impacting the airline’s booking system.
This came after a frustrating summer for flyers, with 40,000 Brits affected by ongoing air traffic control issues last month.
However, jet-setters did receive the more encouraging update that airlines across Europe were working to set standardised rules for hand luggage dimensions.
United Airlines and American Airlines have both been contacted by the Sun for comment.
Worst passengers to have to deal with
A flight attendant has revealed the worst passengers to deal with on flights, here’s what she said:
Drunk passengers
“People who make the most of the booze on board are really irritating. We have a lot to think about on our flights as it is, without looking after people who have drunk themselves into a stupor.
“My advice for passengers is to enjoy the included booze, in moderation.
“If there’s an emergency and you’re hammered, you’re going to be no use to anybody, least of all yourself. So it’s best to stay alert.”
Vapers
“Vaping on board is becoming more popular and it’s ridiculous that people think they can get away with it.
“The big plume of fruity smoke is always a bit of a giveaway.
“But it can also cause panic in the rest of the cabin as well – imagine seeing a big smokey cloud in a plane? It’s definitely not something you’re expecting, so will definitely leave people feeling a little frightened.”
Listening to music without headphones
“There’s few things worse than tinny phone music blaring out through the plane cabin, or an episode of Breaking Bad being broadcast from one passenger to the people around them.
“The thing I always tell people to remember is that there are other people on board the plane and they aren’t all travelling for the same reason.
“So keep your music and TV to yourself and just think long and hard about whether the other people on board want to listen to your awful dance music.”
