Photo: Shutterstock Drama in Brussels: The European Parliament's Transport Committee has voted in favor of adopting a dramatic and groundbreaking proposal for passenger rights, which will prohibit airlines from charging extra fees for bringing personal and carry-on bags into the cabin.
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This is a significant regulatory move expected to put an end to unnecessary fees and create a unified and transparent standard across all EU countries.
In recent years, restrictions on hand luggage have increased, and airlines, especially those operating under the low-cost model, have made carry-ons a significant source of revenue.
Many airlines globally, including in Israel, adopted policies requiring passengers to pay extra for bringing hand luggage into the cabin, but now the European Union has decided to put an end to this practice.
This policy led to many passengers having to pay nearly double just to bring a carry-on bag on board, even when it complied with safety requirements.
The European Union noted that this approach has turned flying into a basic product fraught with additional fees, harming transparency and consumer experience.
Now, the European Parliament's step is expected to spark a true revolution: it not only reestablishes hand luggage as a basic right, but also signals to airlines that the era of hidden fees and baggage distortions is coming to an end.
We at PassportNews have been covering the preliminary discussions over the recent months, and now it has become official.
"Today's vote marks an important step towards fairer and more transparent travel," said Matteo Rizzi, Vice President of the European Parliament's Transport and Tourism Committee.
"It is a fundamental right intended to prevent unnecessary costs and ensure a fairer and more efficient system," he added.
Photo: ShutterstockThis is how it will work in practice:
According to the new rules:
- Every passenger will be entitled to bring on board one personal item (such as a backpack, shoulder bag, or laptop) measuring up to 40×30×15 cm
Additionally, a small hand luggage (trolley/backpack) with total dimensions of up to 100 cm and a maximum weight of 7 kg
All without additional charges from the airline
The new regulations are expected to apply to all airlines operating flights within the European Union, and also to flights departing or arriving in member countries.
More Rights for Sensitive Passengers
Additionally, the approved package includes more provisions, among them:
Children up to the age of 12 to sit free of charge next to an accompanying adult
Companions of passengers with disabilities can fly for free
Compensation for damage to mobility equipment or harm to an assistance animal
Obligation of transparency from travel agents regarding costs and brokerage fees
What Happens Next?
After the approval by the Transport Committee, the move will proceed to a vote in the full European Parliament, and subsequently, member states will also need to approve it to make it official law.
The move is based on a 2014 European Court of Justice ruling that deemed hand luggage as an inseparable part of the service, as long as it meets weight and safety requirements.
Photo: ShutterstockBottom Line:
The European Union is setting a clear line against airlines: passenger rights are not a product for upgrade, but a basic standard.