What does the EU’s new free hand luggage rule mean for UK travellers?

We’ve all learned by now that the headline price of flights is rarely what you end up paying. At first, you’re punching the air after finding a return to Barcelona for just £30, only to realise that if you want to bring a cabin bag, sit next to your pals or have travel insurance, that price can shoot up to over £100. So much for a bargain. 

But soon, that could change. After more than a decade of negotiations, the European Union has agreed to make carry-on luggage on flights free. It’s the first time that airline passenger rights have been updated in Europe since 2004. 

While that may sound like UK travellers will save money, that won’t necessarily be the case. Here’s what we know. 

What are the new EU hand luggage rules?

The Council of the EU said that ‘to create price transparency, air fares including allowance for a piece of hand baggage shall be displayed by default before the start of any booking process to facilitate fare comparisons between airlines’. 

That means that when you book a plane ticket, both the small personal bag (which is already free) and the cabin bag are automatically included in the price. 

How big and heavy can my free bag be?

The max size of the free bag is 40cmx30cmx15cm with a max weight of 7kg. 

Can I still get a free cabin bag if I am flying from the UK?

Well, we hate to remind you, but the UK is no longer part of the EU (happy 10-year anniversary, Brexit). As it stands British airlines like Jet2 and easyJet will only be bound by the new regulations on flights from the EU back into the UK. In other words, passengers would have to pay extra for hand luggage one leg of the journey. 

However, there are reports that transport secretary Heidi Alexander is considering proposals to update British laws to match the EU. 

Will low-cost airlines just increase their base fares?

Good question. It’s not clear yet how airlines will respond to the new regulations but it’s assumed that budget carriers will add between £20 to £40 to a one-way ticket. Remember, these new rules aren’t really about making flights cheaper but about improving fee transparency. 

Earlier this year, easyJet bosses called the proposals to enforce free cabin bags a ‘lunatic idea’ and said that it would be ‘terrible for the consumer’, causing more delays and rises in fares. 

When will the changes be introduced at airports?

It’ll be a while yet. The agreement was only just reached this month and it still needs to go through formal adoption, legal checks and publication. After the rules are officially published, they’re expected to come into force after a 12-month transition period. 

ICYMI: British passport holders will soon need to pay for a visa to visit Europe. 

Plus: A full list of all the UK airports that still have the 100ml liquids rule. 

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