EU backs passengers by banning airlines from charging extra for hand luggage

European Union lawmakers have approved a proposal that grants air passengers the right to bring both a personal item and a piece of hand luggage weighing up to seven kilograms into the cabin without incurring extra charges.

“Today's vote marks an important step toward fairer and more transparent travel,” said Matteo Ricci, vice-president of the EU Committee on Transport and Tourism and the bill’s lead sponsor, in a press release on June 24.

Ricci emphasized that establishing clear guidelines for free hand luggage represents “a fundamental right to avoid unjustified extra costs,” helping to ensure a “fairer and more efficient system.”

The new measure builds on broader passenger rights reforms proposed by the European Commission in 2023. These reforms aim to enhance cost transparency during the booking process and strengthen compensation rights for travelers.

What this means for passengers

According to the latest rules, passengers flying within the EU will be entitled to bring a personal item—such as a handbag or small backpack—along with one hand luggage item into the aircraft cabin free of charge.

Personal items must not exceed dimensions of 40x30x15 centimetres. Hand luggage is limited to a maximum dimension of 100 centimetres (measured as length + width + height) and a weight of no more than 7 kilograms.

Airlines will be prohibited from charging extra fees for these specified items, reinforcing passengers’ rights to carry essential belongings at no additional cost.

The decision reflects an interpretation of a European Court of Justice ruling from over a decade ago, which stated that airlines cannot impose surcharges on cabin baggage that meets reasonable size, weight, and safety criteria.

Consumer advocacy groups have recently urged national watchdogs and the European Commission to investigate low-cost airlines’ hand luggage fees. These organizations argue that budget carriers unfairly classify reasonably sized bags as “oversized” to justify charging extra, in violation of EU standards.

Undesired costs

Although the vote is seen as a win for consumers, not everyone in the aviation industry is pleased. According to an Euronews report, a spokesperson for Airlines for Europe (A4E), an industry association, expressed concerns that the ruling might lead to increased airfares overall, particularly affecting travelers who pack light.

“Today’s vote on enforcing passenger rights and multimodal passenger rights has seen the Transport Committee (TRAN) finally take action against online freeriding by spelling out the duties and liabilities of every business that sells travel,” the A4E spokesperson said.

“Unfortunately, this is overshadowed by the Committee using this vote to add air travel specific amendments by the backdoor that remove choice from passengers and their ability to decide what services they want to pay for and, most importantly, what service they don’t.”

The timing for implementation depends on follow-up negotiations among EU institutions and member states, but the vote signals a significant move toward harmonizing air travel rights across Europe.

By Nazrin Sadigova