Home » Airlines News of Europe » UK Tourists Now Benefit from New Free Cabin Bag Policy on European Flights Amid Travel Regulation Changes

Saturday, July 26, 2025

UK holidaymakers will be able to take their hand luggage along with them under new legislation that was approved on 24 June 2025 which would permit passengers to take on a small carry-on bag weighing up to 7kgs (15.4lbs) at no additional cost. The measure, which applies to flights within the EU, is expected to put an end to the common policy of budget airlines like Ryanair and EasyJet of charging extra fees to fly with hand luggage. The new rule is intended to make flying as cheap as possible for passengers who want to bring just a small carry-on with them.

The new law comes in response to increasing demands by passenger rights organizations for more transparent, more consistent rules regarding carry-ons. New rules are likely to have a significant impact on how airlines, in particular budget airlines, enforce cabin baggage regulations. Only relative recently, and frequently on budget airlines, did passengers start experiencing extra fees for their hand baggage, as strict baggage rules allowed companies to push their profits in that direction.

Details of the New Hand Luggage Policy

The new European Union law, which was voted in on June 24, permits passengers to bring one small carry-on bag weighing up to 7kg for no extra charge. So passengers can pack their most important items like clothing, electronics and toiletries without having to pay additional fees, as long as the bag does not exceed the weight limit.

Travellers accustomed to being charged extra for cabin bags will welcome the policy change. Budget airlines currently charge for hand luggage as an additional extra to the cost of a ticket, and have limitations on what size and weight a cabin bag can be. The change is aimed at making air travel regulations for holidaymakers traveling from the UK to Europe simpler and more tourist-friendly so that travellers can pack essential items without having to pay extra for additional baggage.

This new ruling comes into effect on all flights within the European Union, which means that airlines flying within the region will have to adhere by the new baggage rules. Many travelers will view this as a reprieve from the long-standing annoying and expensive baggage policies.

Ryanair’s Reaction to the New Proposal

The continued success of Ryanair which is one of the larger budget airlines, has been aided by the parasite class of consumer that has resulted from the enforced non-reserved seating policy. Ryanair’s chief executive, Michael O’Leary, condemned the ideas as “unimplementable.” Ryanair’s argument is that the notion of permitting all passengers to take two free belongings on board in the cabin, as some suggestions have proposed, is unworkable. O’Leary argued there is not enough space on planes and implementing these types of rules would drastically interfere with flight operations.

Ryanair, which has built a business around its luggage policies, including extra fees for the carry-on bags of those who are not priority passengers, has argued that the new policies might result in full overhead compartments and cause the boarding process to grind to a halt. O’Leary’s remarks echo of worries about just how the policy could be applied across the entire market for EU aviation if it were engaged in full flow.

Ryanair also notes that allowing passengers to bring several bags on board for free could possibly violate the rights of airlines to set their own pricing and baggage rules. Ryanair has said this could eliminate the competitive pricing which has seen budget airlines boom, providing cheap travel for millions of passengers.

Implications for UK Holidaymakers and European Travel

The significance of this new hand baggage policy is huge for UK holidaymakers if for no other reason than, increasingly, those with a passion for cheap flights to Euro resorts are usually fans of budget airlines. This amendment will help to make things easier for the travelers by providing a bit of extra flexibility when traveling with the items they need and without any baggage fees.

For passengers travelling to popular European vacation spots like Spain, Italy, Greece and France, the new baggage rules will ease the check-in process and help to minimize any hassle of carrying luggage. No longer will travelers have to resort to cramming everything into smaller luggage or paying exorbitant fees for carry-on items. What is more, for those on short hauls or short breaks, this move could make the travel experience in general (if you have a small luggage requirement) that bit more pleasant.

While airlines will now need to adapt to this new law, we should be able to look forward to more consistent guidelines and better enforcement in how carry-on is treated across European airports. This is especially perfect for familes and solo travelers who like to travel light and avoid the anxiety of the check-in process when it comes to lugging a lot of extra things.

The Impact on Budget Airlines and Competitive Pricing

Budget airlines have a reputation for their bargain basement fares and strict baggage policies. The new rule, which lets passengers carry free of charge a small carry-on bag, offers both opportunities and challenges for these carriers. The rule is likely to make flying less expensive and more tourist-friendly, but it also presents logistical challenges for the airlines, which depend on fees for checked luggage and other services.

For many low-cost carriers, including Ryanair, this rule may lead to a review of baggage policy and price. Budget carriers benefited from charging for baggage and other amenities, and the new rule could cut into their overall business model. But how these policies will be enforced is likely to be carrier dependent, and predicated upon how individual airlines shape their service in response to the new DOT rules.

Looking Ahead: Future Travel Trends in the EU

It is anticipated that it could be the start of a new trend in travel across the entire EU as new hand baggage rules set in place. The move to permit free cabin bags on all flights could therefore lead to other changes in how airlines operate the handling of baggage and on-board services. It could also create a model for other areas, tempting similar policy changes in countries whose airlines otherwise employ heavy bags fees as an important part of their revenue structures.

For UK holidaymakers visiting Europe, it should mean a better deal and an end to rip-off costs, all in line with the wider transformation we’re trying to drive in aviation on issues0such as fairer flights for all and easier travel. As the new regulations increasingly take hold, travelers are sure to face fewer disruptions and more consistent messaging around baggage rules, making European travel more accessible and less stressful.

(Source: BBC, Travel Weekly, and Ryanair earnings call)