EU Reforms Hand Luggage Fees

Charlie News & Events 27 June 2025 | Updated On July 1, 2025 | 0

In a major win for air passengers, European lawmakers have backed a proposal that will ban airlines from charging extra fees for basic hand luggage. If the law goes through, travellers across the EU will be entitled to bring a personal item and a piece of hand luggage free of charge.

The move, approved by the European Parliament's Transport Committee, aims to make air travel fairer and more transparent, especially for budget-conscious travellers.

Under the proposed new rules, passengers flying within the EU will have the right to bring two items into the cabin:

A personal item, such as a handbag or small backpack (max. 40x30x15 cm)
A carry-on bag of up to 7kg with maximum combined dimensions of 100cm

Airlines will no longer be allowed to charge extra for these items—something low-cost carriers have often been criticised for.

The vote reinforces a 2014 ruling by the European Court of Justice, which already stated that hand luggage meeting reasonable size and weight limits shouldn’t cost extra. However, many budget airlines have continued to charge passengers, claiming their bags were “oversized.”

Fairness or Higher Fares?

While the move is popular among consumers, airline groups are pushing back.

A spokesperson for Airlines for Europe (A4E), which represents major EU carriers, warned that banning luggage fees could lead to higher base fares for all passengers.

They argue that passengers should be able to choose and pay only for the services they want, and that a one-size-fits-all model removes flexibility and raises prices for those travelling light.

Despite industry pushback, supporters of the proposal say that clear rules around luggage are essential for fairness and prevent hidden costs during the booking process.

Part of a Broader Push for Passenger Rights

The hand luggage vote is part of a wider package of reforms first proposed by the European Commission in 2023. The goal is to strengthen air passenger rights across the EU and improve transparency in air travel.

Here are some of the key changes being proposed:

Families with children: Airlines must seat children under 12 next to their parents or guardians at no extra cost.
Passengers with reduced mobility: Travel rights would be expanded, including free seats for accompanying persons and compensation for damaged mobility equipment or injury to assistance animals.
Clearer pricing upfront: Airlines and travel agents must display the full price of a flight—along with any booking or service fees—before passengers confirm their purchase.
Faster refunds: If a flight is cancelled or delayed, intermediaries must issue refunds within 14 days, or the airline must process the refund within 7 days.
Easier compensation: A new EU-wide form for claims would be introduced, and airlines would need to send it automatically to affected passengers within 48 hours of a disruption.

What Happens Next?

Before the hand luggage rule and other proposals become law, they must be debated and approved by the full European Parliament and negotiated with EU member states. The final vote could result in some adjustments to the current draft.

Still, this vote signals a strong push toward greater protection for air travellers—and a likely shake-up for airline policies across the bloc.

For now, passengers and the travel industry alike are watching closely as the EU moves one step closer to reshaping how we fly in Europe.

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Charlie

Travel and Immigration Writer and Client Relationship Manager at IaM (Immigration and Migration)

Charlie is IaM’s resident Travel & Immigration Writer and Client Relationship Manager. They craft clear, engaging guides that demystify complex visa and migration rules - and then personally supports each client through every step of their journey.

Over the past 6+ years, with IaM, and working in the travel and immigration sector, Charlie has authored 200+ in-depth guides on Schengen, UK visas & other destinations they have relocated 1,000+ families safely through the system. A Clockwork Practitioner, Charlie also works hard to streamline operations and adheres to the mantra "Task Clients Well".

When they’re not translating policy into plain English, you’ll find them scouting new destinations, collecting local stories, and mastering a new language to better serve our global community.