EU bids aircraft carry-on bag fees

Airport Luggage. Picture Credit: Shutterstock
Travelling through Europe may soon become a lot simpler and cheaper thanks to a bold new move from the European Parliament’s transport committee. In a major win for consumer rights, MEPs have voted to ban airlines from charging passengers for small carry-on bags, pushing back against what many see as an increasingly frustrating travel trend: paying for the basic right to bring a bag onboard.
Under the proposal, travellers would be allowed to carry two free items: a personal item (like a handbag or small backpack) and hand luggage up to 7kg (around 15lb), without facing any extra fees. It’s a move that many budget airline passengers will welcome, as once “low-cost” tickets have increasingly become a minefield of hidden charges.
 

Transparency and Simplicity Take Centre Stage

This isn’t just about luggage. The committee’s decision is part of a broader push to strengthen passenger rights across the EU, particularly when it comes to delays, cancellations, and unclear refund processes.

One key proposal? A unified, easy-to-use reimbursement form that all passengers can use when claiming compensation. No more navigating confusing airline websites or contradictory refund policies, just one standard form, recognised across the EU.
Passengers would also receive pre-filled compensation forms or automatic updates within 48 hours of a disruption, giving travellers clear guidance in moments of stress or uncertainty.
 

Tackling the Middlemen

Another big win: intermediaries - like online travel agencies and ticket platforms - will finally be held accountable. These businesses will be required to clearly display the full cost of a ticket, including their own service fees, and must ensure refunds are processed within 14 days. If they fail to do so, the responsibility will shift back to the airline, which must refund passengers within 7 days.

It’s a move that directly tackles one of the murkiest areas of modern air travel: booking through third-party platforms that leave passengers stuck between the airline and the ticket seller when something goes wrong.
 

“A Fundamental Right to Avoid Unjustified Extra Costs”

Passenger rights MEP Matteo Ricci called the vote an “important step toward fairer and more transparent travel,” highlighting how these new rules are designed not just for the average holidaymaker, but also for those with disabilities or reduced mobility, who often face greater hurdles during air travel.

With free carry-on defined clearly as hand luggage measuring up to 100cm total (length + width + height), the days of arbitrary and inconsistent baggage rules may finally be numbered.
 

What Happens Next?

The European Parliament has made its position clear, but now it’s up to EU member states to negotiate the final legislation. That means these changes aren’t law just yet, but the momentum is strong, and the public appetite for fairer travel policies is undeniable.

For now, frequent flyers can look forward to a future where fair pricing, transparent booking, and easier compensation are not just perks, but rights. And best of all, your trusty carry-on bag might finally fly for free.
 

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