The European Parliament has approved significant changes that strengthen passenger rights in air travel. The focus is on price transparency, simplifying refunds, and the right to free hand luggage on all flights within the EU.
Essential Information You Need to Know
Europe just tightened up air passenger rights. The focus is on price clarity, easier refunds, and a guarantee that you can bring free hand luggage on any EU flight.
Free Hand Luggage for Every Passenger
Now, anyone flying within the EU gets to bring one personal item and one piece of hand luggage for free. The personal item can’t be bigger than 40x30x15 cm, and hand luggage tops out at 100 cm total length and 7 kilos.
The new rule wipes out those sneaky extra fees airlines used to charge, even when your bag fit the usual safety rules.
Passenger Rights as a Core Principle
European officials keep saying that free, clearly defined hand luggage is key to price transparency and consumer protection. Still, some airlines claim these rules could nudge up ticket prices, especially for those traveling light.
Clear Pricing During Booking
Airlines now have to show the full flight cost—including every tax and fee—right from the first step of booking. No more sticker shock at checkout.
Booking Stage |
What Must Be Shown |
|---|---|
Initial search |
Full ticket price, taxes, fees |
Throughout booking |
No hidden costs, all charges included |
Final confirmation |
Total price clearly stated |
Refunds and Compensation Rights
The new regulations also boost passenger protections if your flight gets delayed, canceled, or you’re denied boarding. Here’s what stands out:
- There’s now a single, standard form for refund or compensation claims across the EU.
- If the travel agent or platform doesn’t refund you within 14 days, the airline must do it within 7 days.
- Travel agencies and booking platforms need to process claims quickly. If they drag their feet, the airline has to step in and handle it.
Issue |
Passenger Right |
Responsibility |
|---|---|---|
Delay or Cancellation |
Right to compensation or refund |
Airline and intermediary share |
Denied Boarding |
Compensation and rebooking options |
Shared between airline and agent |
Refund Timing |
Refunds within 7 days from airline; 14 days from agent |
Airlines primary on delay |
Luggage allowance |
One personal item + one hand luggage free |
Airlines must comply |
Seven Low-Cost Airlines Under Review for Hand Luggage Fees
Seven budget airlines are feeling the heat for charging extra fees on hand luggage. Consumer groups from twelve countries have complained to the European Commission and the Consumer Protection Cooperation Network (CPC).
These groups argue that airlines shouldn’t charge for small hand luggage. Most people just expect that to be included in the basic ticket price, right?
Authorities are being pushed to check if these airlines are ignoring EU rules. The airlines have been accused of sidestepping a 2014 EU court ruling, which only allows hand luggage fees if bags break size, weight, or safety limits.
Key points on the table:
- Passenger expectations: Travelers think a small hand luggage item comes with the ticket.
- Need for clearer regulations: Officials should spell out exactly what size and weight counts as “small” to end confusion.
- Reducing disputes: Clearer rules would mean fewer arguments at the airport, saving everyone time and hassle.
A Spanish consumer group’s complaint led to a €179 million fine against five airlines for unfair hand luggage fees in late 2024. Belgian groups have filed complaints too.
Issue |
Details |
|---|---|
Number of airlines involved |
7 low-cost carriers |
Main complaint |
Extra fees on hand luggage, seen as unfair |
Legal basis |
2014 EU Court ruling on hand luggage fees |
Consumer expectation |
One small hand luggage item included in ticket price |
Suggested improvements |
Clear rules on size and weight to avoid surprises |
Enforcement actions |
Fines imposed in Spain; ongoing investigations across EU |
Ryanair expands allowance for free carry-on bags on European flights
Ryanair just bumped up the size limit for free personal bags in the cabin. Now you can bring a bag up to 40x30x20 cm—that’s 24 litres—compared to the old 20-litre limit.
This puts Ryanair in line with WizzAir, though EasyJet still lets you bring a bigger bag (45x36x20 cm). Ryanair says the change will roll out gradually as they update those measuring frames at airports.
The update follows new EU proposals to improve passenger rights. The EU wants airlines to allow, for free, one small carry-on up to 40x30x15 cm and a larger bag up to 7 kg.
But this EU proposal isn’t law yet. It still needs the green light from most member states. Ryanair’s move shows the pressure on low-cost airlines to simplify carry-on rules across Europe.
Key differences in free carry-on sizes among major low-cost airlines:
Airline |
Maximum Free Carry-on Size |
Volume Approx. |
Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
Ryanair |
40 x 30 x 20 cm |
24 litres |
New limit pending rollout |
WizzAir |
40 x 30 x 20 cm |
24 litres |
Matches Ryanair’s new size |
EasyJet |
45 x 36 x 20 cm |
32.4 litres |
Larger allowance than others |
What passengers should expect:
- Ryanair passengers can now bring slightly wider bags without paying extra.
- This change only affects personal items you store under the seat.
- If you want to bring a larger cabin bag, you’ll probably still need to pay a fee or book a pricier ticket.
- Airports plan to update their measuring tools to match the new bag allowance.
Ryanair hopes this tweak will cut down on confusion and surprise charges around carry-on luggage. It’s a move that brings them a bit closer to what other European airlines already do for passenger convenience.
