Free hand luggage or not? What's happening in Europe
The EU Parliament approves the right to free hand luggage and other measures to protect travellers against opaque business practices of low-cost airlines. Rule to be confirmed in plenary
2' min read
2' min read
In-flight hand luggage must be included in the ticket price. The European Parliament raises its voice against certain practices of low-cost airlines and in the Transport Committee approves a package of changes to the EU rules on passenger rights. One symbolic measure, in particular, is destined to mark a turning point in the lives of travellers caught between purchasing algorithms and abstruse check-in rules: it enshrines the right to carry on board a free hand luggage of standard dimensions (up to 100 cm in total and 7 kg), as well as a personal item such as a backpack or handbag.
In Plenary in July
The measure will now have to be confirmed in a plenary session in July. And it is part of a broader revision of European legislation to strengthen the rights of travellers, both in air and multimodal transport (train-plane-bus combinations). After a long legislative blockage, the reform updates rules dating back in some cases as far as 2004. "Parliament lays down a simple but fundamental principle," said rapporteur Matteo Ricci (PD), "hand luggage must be included in the basic fare, it is not a luxury but part of the journey. Stop opaque business practices that turn a low-cost flight into a nightmare with hidden costs".
The adopted text introduces a number of concrete measures to protect travellers. Airlines, for example, will be obliged to ensure that children under 12 can sit next to the accompanying adult free of charge. And a right to mobility for the disabled is enshrined. For refunds, carriers are expected to give passengers a pre-filled form to claim compensation in the event of cancellation or delay.
For multimodal travel, then, it is foreseen that when buying a single ticket there will be the same protection in case of missed connections, even on different means, including the right to meals or accommodation. The package fired in committee - subject to the seal at the July plenary - will then end up on the negotiating table with the EU Council, which adopted its line on 5 June, breaking a years-long stalemate.
The 27 foresee an increase in compensation thresholds (€300 for delays over 4 hours on intra-EU flights), pre-filled forms in case of cancellation and clearer information obligations. Fare freedom will not be touched, but Brussels sends a clear message: the time of opaque fares and hidden clauses is over.
