The changes would impact Brits flying to and from the European Union and could put an end to different hand luggage rules between the likes of Ryanair and easyJet – but there’s a catch
The new rules could standardise under-seat cabin bag rules – but fail to address hand luggage for overhead lockers(Image: Getty Images)
Brits flying to popular holiday destinations could see changes made to their hand luggage allowance on their flights under European Union plans. A new rule has been proposed by transport ministers to standardise sizing for cabin bags on all EU airlines.
This proposal will become law if it is accepted by the European Parliament. It would mean passengers are guaranteed one free personal item, measuring up to 40x30x15cm (including wheels and handles), or which could reasonably fit under a plane seat.
The law would apply to EU-based airlines, including when they are carrying passengers from a non-EU country such as the UK to an EU country like Spain, Greece or Italy, and vice-versa, The Mirror reports. The rule would also stipulate that a cabin bag of appropriate size can always be taken on board free of charge.
This could put an end to the confusion holidaymakers face when travelling between different airlines which all have their own unique set of hand luggage rules. Tourists can currently be forced to fork out potentially hefty sums at the airport if their cabin bag is found to exceed their airline’s strict measurements.
However, the proposal by EU transport ministers failed to mention whether airlines can charge for overhead cabin bags. This means that under this new law, airlines can continue to charge for larger hand luggage that is placed in the overhead locker.
We have a dedicated newsletter for What’s On news and reviews. It’s free and you can sign up to receive it here. It will keep you up to date with all the latest updates on food, drink, entertainment and events in and around the North East.
The European Consumer Organisation, BEUC, an umbrella group for 45 independent consumer organisations from 32 countries, has argued that these proposals therefore do not go far enough, and legitimise “charging for reasonably sized hand luggage”, the BBC reports.
The EU court ruled 11 years ago that hand luggage should not be subject to an additional fee as long as it is of a reasonable size, but the ruling failed to define ‘reasonable’. This has led to significant differences between airlines operating in the UK when it comes to the size of cabin bag can be brought on board for free.
Under current hand luggage rules, the strictest airline operating in the UK is Ryanair, which allows passengers to take one small bag on board free of charge. It must measure no more than 40 x 20 x 25cm in order to fit under the seat in front of them.
Meanwhile, easyJet customers can bring a small cabin bag on board measuring a maximum of 45 x 36 x 20cm, which includes any handles or wheels. As with Ryanair, customers have to pay in order to take an additional larger cabin bag on the plane, with priority boarding also included in the upgrade.
Jet2’s hand luggage policy is more generous and allows travellers to take a bag weighing up to 10kg and measuring up to 56 x 45 x 25cm on board the plane, as well as a small bag that can fit under the seat in front of you that must not exceed 40 x 30 x 15cm.
British Airways allows all passengers to take a cabin bag on the plane measuring up to 56 x 45 x 25cm and weighing up to 23kg, as well as an additional hand bag that can be 40 x 30 x 15cm, the same dimensions as are allowed on Jet2 flights.
And TUI customers can take one main piece of hand luggage on board that can have a maximum weight of 10kg and measure up to 55 x 40 x 20cm for the overhead locker, as well as a small personal bag that can be 40 x 30 x 20cm to put under the seat in front.