More free hand luggage on planes: how it will work and when it comes into force

Travellers in the EU may soon have the right to take more baggage into the cabin without extra charge, but passengers flying from United Kingdom airports are not expected to benefit from the new rules.

Passengers travelling by plane within the EU may soon have the right to take more hand luggage without extra charge, as part of a significant change to the rules on passenger rights.

The European Parliament and the EU member states reached a provisional agreement in June on the new air transport rules, the first major revision of the legislation since 2004.

Under the new rules, passengers who buy a standard ticket will have the right to take two items of hand luggage free of charge.

These will include a small personal item, such as a handbag or backpack, which must be placed under the seat in front. Passengers will also be entitled to take a larger cabin bag, weighing up to 7 kg and with combined dimensions of up to 100 cm.

The changes are expected to come into force no earlier than the end of 2027, with October 2027 currently considered the earliest possible date for their implementation. However, the rules still have to complete the remaining EU legislative process before entering into force.

The European Parliament says the new provisions give passengers the right to take a personal item on board “without an additional fee”, paving the way for the removal of some of the extra charges airlines currently apply for cabin baggage.

Parliament also decided that airlines will be able to continue offering cheaper fares for passengers who choose to travel without hand luggage, although it is still unclear how this pricing system will work in practice once the new rules come into force.

The changes are part of a broader reform of EU passenger rights, which also covers issues such as delays, cancellations and compensation.

For travellers, the main change is that a standard fare will have to include both a personal item placed under the seat and a small cabin bag, instead of passengers being forced to pay extra for the latter.

For British passengers, however, the news is not good, as they are no longer considered European citizens since Brexit took effect.

One of the country’s largest airlines, easyJet UK, has stated that passengers departing from British airports will not be able to benefit from the new rules.

This will apply to all UK-based airlines, including British Airways and Jet2.

The airline said the rules will apply to British passengers only on return flights from EU countries.