The European Union has reached a landmark agreement requiring airlines to include a standard-sized piece of hand luggage in the base fare, ending years of extra charges for carry-on bags. The new rules, set to take effect in 2027, will apply to all flights within the EU and those operated by EU airlines.
Under the agreement, passengers will be entitled to bring a carry-on bag measuring up to 40cm x 30cm x 15cm free of charge, in addition to a smaller personal item that fits under the seat. Airlines must display fares that include this allowance by default, making price comparisons easier.
However, the ruling does not automatically extend to the UK, which has not updated its own air passenger rights since adopting EU261 after Brexit. Aviation expert Rhys Jones explained that non-EU airlines like easyJet and Jet2 would only be bound by the new rules on flights from the EU to the UK, not on departures from the UK.
British Airways, despite being part of a Spanish holding company, is considered a UK airline and would not be affected on outbound UK flights. Any future changes to UK law would need to be made by the Civil Aviation Authority, not the EU.
The ruling is expected to impact ultra-low-cost carriers such as Ryanair, easyJet, and Wizz Air the most, as they currently charge extra for cabin trolley bags. Consumer groups have long argued that such fees are unfair, while airlines have defended them amid rising fuel costs.
