Flying with only hand luggage could become cheaper for millions of passengers in Europe as the European Union moves toward new rules covering cabin baggage.
Under the planned changes, passengers purchasing a standard airline ticket would be entitled to bring a personal item, such as a handbag or backpack, as well as a larger cabin bag without an additional charge.
The larger bag could weigh up to 7kg, with combined dimensions of up to 100cm, according to details of the proposed rules reported by Euronews.
The change could have a particularly significant impact on travellers using low cost airlines, where adding a cabin bag can substantially increase the final price of a ticket.
When will the new baggage rules start?
Passengers should not expect the change immediately.
The proposals are part of a broader overhaul of EU air passenger rights and still need to complete the European legislative process.
Current expectations suggest the new rules could take effect from late 2027 at the earliest, with October 2027 discussed as the earliest possible starting point.
Until then, travellers must continue following the baggage policy of the individual airline they are flying with.
What would passengers be allowed to take?
Under the proposed system, a standard ticket could include two items in the cabin:
One personal item, such as a handbag, laptop bag or small backpack that fits beneath the seat, and one larger cabin bag weighing up to 7kg.
The aim is to establish clearer minimum rights for passengers and reduce situations where travellers discover additional baggage charges during the booking process.
The changes form part of the first major revision of European air passenger rights legislation since 2004.
UK travellers face a complication
The situation could be different for passengers flying from the United Kingdom.
Because the UK is no longer an EU member, UK based airlines have indicated that the European rules would not automatically apply to flights departing from British airports.
However, a UK passenger returning from an EU country could potentially benefit from the European rules on that leg of the journey, according to reporting by Euronews and The Independent.
That could create an unusual situation where baggage allowances differ between the outbound and return flights of the same trip.
For travellers, the most important point for now is simple: nothing changes immediately.
Passengers should still check their airline’s current baggage allowance before travelling and should not arrive at the airport with an additional cabin bag assuming the proposed EU rules are already in force.
But if the legislation is completed as planned, one of the most frustrating extra costs of flying in Europe could eventually become far less common.
