Hand luggage allowances on flights in Europe are set to be expanded after MEPs in the Transport Committee voted through a series of changes as part of an overhaul of aviation sector rules.
They must now be voted on by the full European Parliament.
If passed, the new limits mean that passengers would be able to bring one piece of carry-on luggage that weighs up to 7kg and has a maximum dimension of 100cm, alongside a 'personal item' free of charge, in effect providing them with two free pieces of hand luggage as standard with their ticket.
The 7kg bag allowance was included via a late amendment by Transport Committee MEPs, who voted overwhelmingly to update and clarify a series of travel rules for passengers in the bloc.
Plans allowing travellers to bring one ‘personal item’ – such as a handbag or rucksack, fitting a dimension of 40cmx30cmx15cm – were part of a move agreed by European Transport Ministers earlier this year.
The changes clarify a previous ruling from the EU Commission that stated hand luggage of ‘a reasonable size’ must be allowed for passengers for free by airlines, but did not state what this size was.
Which airlines will be impacted by carry-on rule change?
Passengers flying with Ryanair can currently bring one small bag for free, provided it fits the dimensions of 40x20x25cm. As a reminder, the new EU rules would see this change to 40x30x15cm.
The new EU rules would therefore see Ryanair customers able to, for free, bring on bags that are wider but smaller in overall volume due to the height difference.
Others such as easyJet (45x36x20cm), Vueling and Wizz Air (40x30x20cm) however already allow bags larger than this without an additional cost.
All of them will impacted however by passengers being allowed two hand-luggage items on board for free - the personal bag and the 7kg carry-on - with all services currently requiring passengers to pay an additional cost too bring two items of hand luggage on board or purchase an upgraded ticket to be able to do so.
In general, flag carriers in Europe such as British Airways, Iberia, Air France/KLM allow passengers to bring a carry-on item (stored in the overhead lockers) and a personal bag (stored under the seat), with varying weight and size limits on one or both of the items.
Therefore, they will only see minor changes from the new rules.
The changes should not affect the cost of purchasing hold luggage to be stowed away on the plane.
What other changes are proposed?
Other changes the committee voted in favour of see a reworking of compensation rights for passengers impacted by delays – lower compensation levels in return for more assistance from airlines for delayed passengers, including booking alternative journeys.
Intermediary ticket sellers will also be required to provide more information on cancellation/delay and compensation rights for passengers buying tickets through their service.
In general, refunds should arrive quicker and more easily from airlines for passengers affected by disruption, and a 'common' form used by all airlines should be used in these circumstances. It should be automatically sent to affected passengers within 48 hours of the delay.
MEPs voted on making purchasing a ticket for multimodal journeys (plane and bus, plane and train, etc) easier, and for sellers to provide passengers with more protection across the entire journey in the event of delays or disruption.
This remains the same even if they have switched to a different mode of transport than the operator usually deals with as part of the multimodal journey. In the event of delays, operators would be required to compensate for meals, drinks, phone calls etc, as for a delayed flight.
Committee members also voted on greater rights for disabled passengers travelling by plane, who should be able to travel with a carer or helper free of charge, and for children under 12 to be seated next to parents without an additional cost.
A full list of changes voted on by MEPs in the committee can be found here on the EU website.
“Today's vote marks an important step toward fairer and more transparent travel. The agreed compromises protect all passengers, with special attention to persons with disabilities and reduced mobility,” said Italian MEP Matteo Ricci.
What are the next steps?
A wider vote on the proposals including all MEPs will take place, the final major internal discussion on the matter.
MEPs can vote on individual amendments, meaning while the bill overall may pass, certain elements may be rejected.
For example, this was was the case with proposed mandatory medicals for elderly drivers, rejected from a bill on driving safety rules that was overall accepted by MEPs.
Following a successful vote - which is likely given the cross-party support within the Transport Committee - the EU will work with member states at an individual level to align legislation on the matter.
Spain has already noted it is in favour of the rules, and previously fined airlines over €170 million for charging what it deemed unfair hand-luggage fees.
Airlines unhappy about changes
Despite the clarifications, airlines are unhappy about the new potential new rules.
Airline lobbyists argue that the changes will increase the tickets of flights for all passengers, although not everyone will use the new allowances.
“The European Parliament should let travellers decide what services they want, what services they pay for and, importantly, what services they don’t,” said Ourania Georgoutsakou, a lobbyist for the Airlines for Europe group.
“What’s next? Mandatory popcorn and drinks as part of your cinema ticket?” she added (quoted in news outlet Politico).
