Europe set to scrap hefty carry-on bag fees

Fees for carry-on bags are set to be eliminated.

It’s happened to the best of us – you spot an unbelievably cheap flight in Europe, start booking with excitement, and then get hit with hefty luggage fees that ruin the deal. What seemed like a budget flight turns out to be hundreds of dollars more. But this could be set to change thanks to a new luggage rule.

In many parts of the world, carry-on luggage is typically included in your ticket price, even on lower-cost fares. But several budget carriers in the EU typically charge passengers to bring even small bags on board as hand luggage.

In many parts of the world, carry-on luggage is typically included in your ticket price. (Image: Getty/yacobchuk)

The European Court of Justice determined that airlines are not allowed to charge extra fees for hand luggage considered ‘essential’ for travel. But many airlines exploited workarounds by narrowing the definition of ‘essential’ and/or reducing the permitted bag dimensions.

The European Union is working to allow passengers the right to bring hand luggage on board for free. The purpose of this proposal is to prevent airlines from charging extra fees for basic carry-on luggage, which many budget airlines currently do. This would allow passengers to bring a personal item such as a handbag, laptop bag, or small backpack, as well as a piece of hand luggage weighing no more than seven kilograms, on board for free.

The purpose of this proposal is to prevent airlines from charging extra fees for basic carry-on luggage. (Image: Getty/izusek)

The European Parliament’s Transport and Tourism Committee has voted in favour of a proposal to improve passenger rights, with rapporteur Matteo Ricci (S&D, Italy) stating in June: “Today’s vote marks an important step toward fairer and more transparent travel.”

The proposed new rule is part of a larger effort to reform air travel regulations in the EU, to ensure fairness to passengers by standardising cabin baggage policies across all European airlines.

For this proposal to become law, it needs to be approved by at least 55 per cent of EU member countries.

But could this new rule lead to higher ticket prices? Time will tell.