The EU’s Transport and Tourism Committee this week voted to introduce a standardised hand luggage allowance for flights. Under the proposed rules, travellers would have the right to carry both a “small hand luggage” and a “personal item”, such as a handbag, backpack or laptop bag, at no extra cost. The proposals still have to be approved by the EU’s member states, and a time frame for implementation is unclear, although a meeting is scheduled for next month.
square AIR TRAVEL What the UK's big airlines do best and worst for families
Read More
“One thing that infuriates passengers is a piece of hand luggage that is accepted by one airline but doesn’t meet the ‘dimensions’ of another airline,” said Bernard Lavelle, principal aviation consultant at BL Aviation Consulting. “To my mind, standardising the size of hand luggage is a win for passengers as it reduces confusion.”
“The UK has generally not deviated too far from European legislation, so if the EU adopts these changes, the UK may possibly follow, although there is no guarantee they will,” Lavelle said.
Wizz Air, which is not a member of A4E, told The i Paper in a statement: “We strongly object to the European Parliament’s proposal, which would destroy the current commercial freedom and make flying more expensive for millions of travellers.” The airline suggested the need to include the price of hand luggage in the ticket fee would reduce transparency, force passengers to pay for services they might not need and prolong boarding times.
square AIRLINES What the five biggest low-cost airlines in the UK do best and worst
Read More
Lavelle does not see price increases as necessarily a bad thing. “If the base fare does increase, then passengers have the option of comparing this fare with other airlines and can make their own mind up as to who they want to travel with. It reduces the complexity to some degree and that has to be good news for any passenger that has tried to compare final fares across different airlines,” he said.Charging for carry-on luggage beyond a single small bag has become increasingly common over the past decade, with Ryanair and Wizz Air introducing fees for large cabin bags in 2018 and easyJet following suit in 2021. Some airlines, such as British Airways and Jet2.com, include two pieces of cabin baggage in their base fares as standard.
MEPs also voted to ensure children under 12 are seated next to their accompanying passenger free of charge, and to allow passengers with reduced mobility to be accompanied by another person at no extra cost.
Current carry-on feesReturn flights from London to Palma, Mallorca, 16-21 July 2025*
EasyJet from LutonStandard fare: £73.98, including small cabin bag (up to 45cm x 36cm x 20cm and 15kg)Standard Plus fare: £174.94, including small cabin bag, large cabin bag (up to 56cm x 45cm x 25cm and 15kg), up-front seat and speedy boarding
Ryanair from StanstedBasic fare: £67.64, including small bag (up to 40cm x 20cm x 25cm, no weight limit)Regular fare: £141.64: including small bag, overhead locker bag (up to 55cm x 40cm x 20cm and 10kg), reserved seat and priority boarding
BA from HeathrowEconomy Basic fare: £192.42, including small handbag (up to 40cm x 30cm x 15cm and 23kg) and cabin bag (up to 56cm x 45cm x 25cm and 23kg)
Wizz Air from LutonBasic fare: £72.98, including small bag (40cm x 30cm x 20cm)Wizz Smart fare: £156.98, including small bag and trolley bag (55cm x 40cm x 23cm and 10kg)
*Prices correct as of 12pm, 26 June, 2025. Cheapest fare for each airline was selected for the relevant dates.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( New EU hand luggage rules could mean you can bring more bags on holiday )
Also on site :