LuggageRules
EU Hand Luggage Standardisation 2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the new EU rules for cabin baggage in 2025?
As of 2025, the new EU rules for cabin baggage involve two main developments: 1. Standardised Personal Item Size: Airlines for Europe (A4E) member airlines have agreed to implement a guaranteed size for personal items, which are defined as bags with dimensions up to 40 x 30 x 15 cm. These personal items can be brought into the cabin at no extra cost, with the aim of standardising sizes across airlines to reduce confusion for passengers. 2. Proposal to End Extra Fees: EU lawmakers have proposed a rule to eliminate extra charges for small cabin bags. If approved, this rule would allow travellers to bring one small cabin bag (up to 100 cm in size and 7 kg in weight) and a personal item without paying extra, starting as early as July 2025. However, the implementation of this specific rule is pending approval by EU member states.
Will I get a free cabin bag in Europe?
You will generally get a free cabin bag when flying in Europe. Major airlines like Ryanair, easyJet, British Airways, and Jet2 provide at least one free small cabin bag (such as a personal item, backpack, or handbag) per passenger. European lawmakers have voted to standardise and ensure the right to a free cabin bag on all EU flights. The proposal suggests passengers are entitled to bring a personal bag (up to 40 x 30 x 15 cm) and a small hand luggage item (up to 100 cm total dimensions and 7 kg) at no extra cost. While these rules are pending final approval, most airlines are already adapting or comply. For example, easyJet currently allows all passengers to bring one small under-seat cabin bag (up to 45 x 36 x 20 cm) for free. Larger cabin bags may require an additional fee or a specific fare type. Therefore, you should expect at least one free small cabin bag with your ticket, though the exact size allowance may vary by airline. *
What are the standard hand luggage dimensions for the EU?
The EU is introducing a minimum standard for hand luggage: one personal item (up to 40 x 30 x 15 cm) and one cabin bag (combined dimensions up to 100 cm, up to 7 kg). These standards will apply to all airlines operating within, to, and from the EU, once the rules are fully enforced. Airlines may allow larger or heavier bags, but not less. Until the new rules take effect, it is important to check your airline’s policy before traveling..
Which airlines will be affected by the new EU baggage rules?
The new EU baggage rules are set to apply to all airlines operating flights within the European Union. This includes both traditional and low-cost carriers. Specific airlines mentioned in relation to the changes include Ryanair, easyJet, Volotea, and Wizz Air. The regulations aim to standardise carry-on allowances, which will particularly affect budget airlines that currently charge extra for hand baggage beyond a small personal item.
When will the new EU hand luggage rules be enforced?
Enforcement Date: As of July 2025, the new EU hand luggage rules have NOT been officially enforced yet. The European Parliament has approved them, but the Council of the EU (member states) must still give final approval. There is no confirmed enforcement date. Many sources say the rules could take effect as early as late 2025 (most likely not before July 2025), but implementation depends on the legislative process.
Rules on Liquids: The 100ml liquid rule is a separate airport security regulation and is not part of the new EU hand luggage size/weight rules. (Some airports are updating liquid rules due to new scanners, but this is not universal or part of the cabin bag law.)
Proposed Bag Dimensions and Weight (2025 Proposal): Personal item: 40 x 30 x 15 cm (underseat) Cabin bag: 100 cm combined (e.g., 55 x 40 x 20 cm) Weight: 7 kg for the cabin bag (no EU minimum for combined personal + cabin, but some airlines set their own) These are minimum standards; airlines may offer more.
What are the exact size and weight limits for free hand luggage?
Under the proposed EU rules for 2025, all airlines flying within, to, and from the EU must allow passengers to bring the following, free of charge: Personal item: up to 40 x 30 x 15 cm (must fit under the seat in front of you) Cabin bag: up to 100 cm combined dimensions (e.g., 55 x 40 x 20 cm is allowed), weighing up to 7 kg These are the minimum standards. Airlines are free to offer more generous allowances, and many do: For example, Lufthansa allows 55 x 40 x 23 cm (up to 8 kg); Air France allows 55 x 35 x 25 cm (weight varies by ticket). Ryanair and other Airlines for Europe (A4E) members have already increased their free personal item size to 40 x 30 x 15 cm in anticipation of the rule. Until the EU rule is officially in effect, you must follow your airline’s current policy, which may be stricter or more generous. Always check your airline’s allowance before you travel.
Will all airlines have to follow these new rules?
Yes, all airlines operating flights to, from, or within the United States are required to follow the new rules from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT). The regulations apply to both U.S. and foreign air carriers, as well as ticket agents. The rules mandate prompt automatic refunds for cancelled or significantly changed flights, significantly delayed baggage, and fees for extra services that were not ultimately provided.
How will budget airlines like Ryanair and Wizz Air adapt their pricing models?
Budget airlines such as Ryanair and Wizz Air are primarily adapting their pricing models by increasing their reliance on ancillary revenues and employing dynamic pricing strategies, rather than just raising ticket prices. Key adaptations include: * Growth in Ancillary Fees: Ryanair, for example, is introducing new policies in 2025 to increase revenue from add-ons. This includes raising fines for oversized luggage from €60 to €70 and adding a new €20 fee for passengers who fail to meet digital boarding pass requirements. Such ancillary revenues already account for approximately 30% of Ryanair's total income. * Stricter Policy Enforcement: Airlines are becoming more stringent in enforcing existing rules, particularly regarding baggage. Ryanair's move towards digital-only boarding passes is expected to reduce operational costs while creating new opportunities for penalty fees. * Dynamic and Algorithmic Pricing: Ryanair utilises sophisticated algorithms to adjust fares multiple times a day based on real-time demand, competition on specific routes, and the timing of the booking. * Strategic Route Management: Wizz Air adapts its pricing based on competition. It offers discounts on high-demand routes where it directly competes with other carriers like Ryanair but maintains higher prices on routes where it faces no direct competition. This allows the airline to defend its market share while maximising revenue. * Market Expansion: Both airlines are expanding their route networks to new leisure destinations, particularly in Eastern Europe and the Balkans, to capitalise on growing travel demand in markets with less competition from legacy carriers. These strategies allow budget airlines to maintain the perception of low base fares while increasing overall revenue through a variety of additional charges and sophisticated pricing adjustments.
Will the new rules lead to higher initial ticket prices?
The new EU air travel rules are expected to lead to higher initial ticket prices. From 1 January 2025, airlines departing from the EU, UK, Norway, and Switzerland must use a minimum amount of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). This is projected to add a fee of between €3 and €15 to a one-way ticket, depending on the flight's length and fare class. The airline industry association A4E has also indicated that other new passenger rights measures, such as the standardisation of carry-on baggage allowances, could contribute to an increase in ticket prices for some travellers.
What constitutes a 'reasonable' size and weight for hand luggage?
The European Union is standardising hand luggage allowances to ensure consistency across airlines. While individual airline policies can still vary, the EU has defined 'reasonable' dimensions. As of late 2024, the rules specify that a passenger's main cabin bag should not exceed 55 x 40 x 20 cm. In addition to the main bag, a smaller personal item, such as a handbag or laptop bag, is permitted with maximum dimensions of 40 x 30 x 15 cm. The combined weight of both items should not exceed 10 kg. Anything larger or heavier than this must be checked in as hold luggage.
How did the EU Court of Justice justify its ruling?
The EU Court of Justice (ECJ) justified its ruling in the Sturgeon case primarily on the principle of equal treatment. The Court reasoned that passengers whose flights are delayed by three hours or more are in a comparable situation to passengers whose flights are cancelled outright, as both suffer an "irreversible loss of time" and significant inconvenience. To treat these two groups of passengers differently would be discriminatory and would undermine the regulation's core aim of ensuring a high level of passenger protection. The Court held that this interpretation was necessary to fulfil the purpose of Regulation 261/2004. The ECJ acknowledged the financial implications for airlines but stated that these were not disproportionate to the goal of protecting consumers. It also reiterated that airlines are not obliged to pay compensation if they can prove the delay was caused by "extraordinary circumstances" which could not have been avoided even if all reasonable measures had been taken.
Will I get a free cabin bag on all EU airlines in 2025?
In June 2025, EU lawmakers approved a new rule to eliminate extra charges for small cabin bags. This means that if the rule receives final approval from a majority of EU member states, every passenger will have the right to bring one small cabin bag (up to 7kg and 100cm) and one personal item, such as a laptop bag or purse, on board at no additional cost. This change could be implemented as early as July 2025. Major airlines, including low-cost carriers like Ryanair, Wizz Air, and EasyJet, will be required to comply with this regulation. In anticipation of the law, some airlines have already started to adjust their policies. Ryanair has announced an increase in its free baggage allowance, and members of the industry group Airlines for Europe (A4E) have begun to implement a guaranteed minimum size for personal items (40 x 30 x 15 cm) for all passengers at no extra charge. While the rule is still awaiting final approval, current agreements and industry responses indicate that free cabin bags are expected to become standard across all EU airlines in 2025.
What are the exact dimensions for the free personal item?
The exact dimensions for a free personal item on EU airlines are 40 x 30 x 15 cm. This new standard, implemented by Airlines for Europe (A4E) member airlines, defines the maximum size for a personal item that can be brought into the cabin at no extra cost and must fit under the seat in front of you. Some airlines may still allow larger personal items at their discretion, but 40 x 30 x 15 cm is now the guaranteed minimum across EU airlines.
What is the weight limit for the free cabin bag?
The proposed EU rule sets the free cabin bag weight limit at 7kg per passenger, with a maximum size of 100cm, plus a personal item that fits under the seat. This rule would apply across all EU flights, including low-cost carriers, once approved by member states. Individual airlines may have their own policies with higher limits, but the EU standard aims to guarantee a minimum free allowance of 7kg for cabin bags.
Are the new EU hand luggage rules officially in effect?
No, the new EU rules to standardise hand luggage are not yet officially in effect. The European Parliament has voted in favour of standardising cabin baggage sizes and fees, but the proposal must still be approved by the European Council before it becomes law. There is currently no confirmed date for when these rules will be implemented. The objective of the proposed legislation is to create a single, clear set of rules for the size and weight of hand baggage to be applied by all airlines operating in the EU. This is intended to eliminate confusing and inconsistent policies that can result in unexpected fees for travellers. For now, passengers must continue to follow the specific hand luggage allowance of the airline they are flying with.
Which airlines are most affected by the 2025 EU luggage rules?
The 2025 EU luggage rules are set to most directly affect low-cost carriers, which have historically relied on charging extra for cabin baggage as a key part of their revenue. Ryanair is frequently highlighted as the airline that will be most affected, due to its well-known policy of charging for any hand luggage that does not fit under the seat. Other budget airlines, including Wizz Air and fellow members of the Airlines for Europe (A4E) group like TAP Air Portugal, will also be significantly impacted. These airlines have structured their ticket prices around baggage restrictions and will now need to adapt to the new standardised EU approach. While also a low-cost airline, EasyJet has chosen to maintain a more generous hand luggage allowance of 45 x 36 x 20 cm, up to 15 kg. This is larger than the 40 x 30 x 15 cm size that many other airlines have moved towards.
Can airlines like Ryanair still charge for hand luggage?
Airlines within the European Union, including Ryanair, will soon be prohibited from charging extra fees for standard hand luggage. EU lawmakers have voted to ban these charges, allowing passengers to bring a carry-on bag (up to 7 kg and a combined dimension limit of 100 cm) and an under-seat item at no additional cost. In anticipation of this rule, Ryanair is increasing its free cabin bag allowance from 40 x 25 x 20 cm to 40 x 30 x 20 cm. The EU proposal requires final approval from a majority of member states before it is fully enacted. Until then, airlines can legally continue their current hand luggage fee policies, but they are expected to adapt as the changes become formally enforced.