Air travel is poised for a significant shift from 2027, as new European Commission regulations mandate that airlines must include a free piece of hand luggage in the price of every plane ticket. This measure, aimed at enhancing consumer rights and transparency, will see an end to the additional charges many budget carriers like Ryanair, EasyJet, and Wizz Air currently levy for a small cabin bag. The new allowance will be in addition to the smaller personal item that passengers can already bring for free, which must fit under the seat.
The upcoming changes are a response to years of increasingly complex and often costly hand luggage policies. Budget airlines have frequently reduced free allowances and raised fees for cabin bags, contributing significantly to their revenue. A recent investigation by Which? Travel highlighted how adding a bag could, in some instances, quadruple the original advertised fare, making it difficult for passengers to ascertain the true cost of their journey upfront. This opacity has led to action from bodies like the Advertising Standards Authority against airlines like EasyJet.
While the exact start date in 2027 is yet to be announced, these rules will not impact summer holidays in 2026. Beyond hand luggage, the new regulations introduce several other protections for travellers. These include a ban on additional fees for correcting minor misspellings on plane tickets, and the right for passengers to take their return flight even if they miss their outward journey. Furthermore, passengers with reduced mobility or disabilities will be entitled to compensation and rerouting if they miss their flight due to airport staff failing to get them to the gate on time. Airlines will also be prohibited from charging extra to seat children under 12 near an accompanying adult.
Although these rules originate from the European Commission, they are expected to have a broad impact on UK carriers and flights to and from the UK. While UK airlines are not directly bound by EU legislation post-Brexit, the practicalities of operating flights between the EU and the UK mean they are likely to adopt similar policies. It would be impractical for airlines to apply different sets of hand luggage rules for inbound and outbound flights from the EU, suggesting a harmonisation of policies across the board.
For those who prefer to travel light, the new rules will also include an ‘opt-out’ option, allowing travellers to choose not to book or pay for the additional free second bag if they do not require it. Details on how this opt-out system will function are still emerging. While the prospect of free hand luggage might suggest an increase in base airfares to offset lost revenue, many passengers already pay for cabin bags through various bundles, so the overall cost might not see a dramatic change for many, though it should bring greater clarity to pricing.