Europe Declares War on Carry-On Charges—What That Means for Your Next Flight

Travelers flying into, out of, or within Europe could soon enjoy ubiquitous free hand luggage after the European Union (EU) voted to ban airlines from charging passengers for their carry-on items.

On June 24, EU lawmakers voted overwhelmingly in favor of a proposal that would allow air passengers to bring both a personal item and one piece of hand luggage into the cabin free of charge.

New Regulations on Carry-On Items

The proposal would permit personal items, such as handbags, backpacks, or laptops, with maximum dimensions of 40 x 30 x 15 cm, along with one item of hand luggage weighing up to 7 kg and with maximum dimensions of 100 cm.

Photo: Courtesy of Bambi Corro / Unsplash

While most of Europe’s major airlines, including Air France, Lufthansa, and KLM, typically allow passengers to bring a personal item and hand luggage onboard free of charge on most fares, that’s not the case for many European low-cost carriers.

Impact on Low-Cost Airlines

Ryanair—the continent’s largest airline in terms of passenger numbers—along with rivals easyJet and Wizz Air, are notorious for charging passengers extra for carry-on bags.

Photo: Ryanair, Boeing 737-800. Courtesy of Portuguese Gravity / Unsplash

In some cases, adding carry-on luggage to a low-cost flight in Europe can double the cost of the entire fare, if not more. For example, Ryanair passengers are currently charged up to $82 for two cabin bags, a similar cost to many of its basic one-way fares.

According to the EU, the proposed legislation would improve the rights of air passengers and ensure the system is fairer and more efficient for all. It is part of a wider set of reforms outlined by the European Commission in 2023, which also includes requiring airlines to be more transparent about total flight costs, providing passengers with more compensation rights, and ensuring that families can sit together at no additional cost.

“Today’s vote marks an important step toward fairer and more transparent travel,” said Matteo Ricci, Vice-Chair of the EU Committee on Transport and Tourism (TRAN).

Photo: Courtesy of Chris Brignola / Unsplash

“The agreed compromises protect all passengers, with special attention to persons with disabilities and reduced mobility, and introduce concrete measures such as the clear definition of free hand luggage up to a maximum size of 100cm, a fundamental right to avoid unjustified extra costs.

“Increased transparency for intermediaries and strengthened enforcement bodies will ensure a fairer and more efficient system. Parliament is taking a strong position that defends citizens’ rights.”

Airline Industry Pushback

However, many airlines and industry representatives have voiced their opposition to the new proposed ruling, which still needs to be approved by at least 55 percent of EU member states. Airlines for Europe (A4E), the largest airline association in the EU, warned that it would only result in increased costs for carriers, which will then be passed on to every passenger in the form of higher fares.

Photo: Courtesy of easyJet

“Europe’s airline market is built on choice,” said Ourania Georgoutsakou, managing director at A4E in a statement. “Forcing a mandatory trolley bag strips passengers of that choice and obliges passengers to pay for services they may not want or need.”

A spokesperson for the airline association added: “There is a cost to carrying bags for airlines and the approach proposed by the Parliament means airlines will have to pass this increased cost onto all passengers, not just those who feel that a trolley bag is the choice for them that they wish to pay for.”