Critique of Air Arabia as shared by Kaoutar Lahlou
Passenger Warning: Air Arabia Nightmare
1/10️⃣💖
27 June, 2025 by Kaoutar lahlou
Two flights. Two terrors. Never Air Arabia again. ✈️
I've flown Air Arabia twice... and twice, I've regretted it. Last flight (June 2025): My ticket clearly stated: 1 piece of cabin luggage 10 kg + 1 personal item. But at the airport, the staff informs me: "Everything must weigh 10 kg, including your bag, your laptop, your phone." Makes no sense. Result? The clerk tells me: "Either you pay 750 DH, or you remove all your stuff." At 5:20 a.m., I find myself emptying all my belongings to keep only my laptop and backpack. Unfair, humiliating, absurd.
And when I tried to calmly explain that this was the first time they'd done this to me, he responded coldly: "It's the new law." No proof. No discussion.
Prior flight (CDG - 2024): Boarding pass received without terminal number. Result: I spent 2 hours and 40 minutes lost at Charles de Gaulle Airport, missed my flight. No refunds, no assistance.❌
Conclusion: Air Arabia, it's zero transparency, zero customer respect, zero professionalism. They accuse, they charge, they ignore. Run away.
Air Arabia's baggage handling and fees have been a significant customer dissatisfaction point, mainly due to strict and unclear policies causing poor experiences, particularly in the form of excessive charges and rigid rules on carry-on items[1]. The airline enforces a weight limit for carry-on luggage not just in total weight but also on the number of items, which leaves some passengers confused[2].
In one customer review from June 2025, frustration with airline staff is evident when a passenger faced repacking issues, difficulties with duty-free purchases, and rigid policies on the number of carry-on items[3]. The reviewer described the staff as rude and unhelpful, with no flexibility or understanding, worsening the negative experience.
Across multiple service aspects, including legroom, food, customer service, and flight updates communication, the same reviewer rated Air Arabia very poorly[3], pointing towards a broad dissatisfaction beyond just baggage issues.
To save costs and avoid the steep airport fees, pre-booking luggage online is a smart move, as it can save customers up to 90% on baggage charges compared to fees paid at the airport[4].
In light of the stringent and unclear baggage policies of Air Arabia, it's discouraging to consider a future travel adventure with them, as the stress of potential luggage-related issues may overshadow the excitement of one's lifestyle. More so, the airline's customer service has been consistently criticized for their rigid rules and unhelpful attitudes, making leisurely travel a daunting proposition.
