EU Proposes to Scrap Cabin Bag Fees, Passengers May Soon Bring Bags for Free

The European Parliament is pushing forward a new regulation that could change the way Europeans travel by air. A proposal recently approved by the European Parliament’s Transport and Tourism Committee would ban airlines from charging fees for cabin baggage.

If this regulation is passed, every passenger flying within or from the European Union will have the right to bring one cabin bag weighing up to 7 kilograms, plus one small personal item suchas a laptop bag or handbag, free of charge.

The main goal of this proposal is to eliminate hidden fees that often confuse passengers when booking flights. The European Union also emphasized that cabin baggage should be considered a basic service included with the ticket price.

This decision is also backed by a 2014 European Court of Justiceruling, which stated that passengers have the right to bring cabin luggage for free, as long as it meets the airline’s size and weight restrictions.

Although approved at the committee level, this rule is not yet in effect. The proposal still needs to gain full approval from the European Parliament &the EU member states. This process is expected to conclude by mid-2025, and if passed, the rule could take effect by July or August 2025.

Several low-cost airlines,suchas Ryanair, Wizz Air and easyJet, have expressed concerns over the proposal. They argue that this rule could force them to raise base ticket prices to compensate for potential losses in baggage fees.

The Airlines for Europe (A4E) association also warned that the regulation could make it more difficult for airlines to manage cabin space and may slow down the boarding process.

The ban on cabin baggage fees is part of a broader passenger protection package. This package also includes:

• Guaranteed free seating for children under 12 next to their parents.
• Free assistance for passengers with disabilities, including companions.
• A simplified EU-wide compensation claim system for flight delays and cancellations.

Sources: Euronews, The Local Europe, Airlines for Europe, EU Parliament.