Free hand luggage on planes: what changes are in the European Parliament proposal
In a move that signals a push toward clearer, more predictable baggage rules across the European Union, the European Parliament approved a non-binding resolution this week focused on the policies and restrictions that airlines apply to carry-on luggage. The stance aligns with a 2014 ruling from the Court of Justice of the European Union, which described hand luggage as an essential part of passenger transport when it meets reasonable size and weight limits. The resolution followed the earlier unanimous backing by the petition committee, two weeks prior.
The document urges harmonization at the European level for both cabin bags and checked luggage. It seeks to establish uniform dimensions, weights, and types for what passengers may bring on board with any airline operating within the EU. The goal is to boost transparency and strengthen consumer protection for air travelers. It also requests that the European Commission outline concrete strategic measures to implement the Court’s decision in a consistent, enforceable way.
MEPs emphasize the need to clearly define what counts as a reasonable weight and size for hand luggage and to simplify the rules currently in force. The intention is to reduce the complexity of the regulations and minimize conflicting obligations across carriers. As part of the ongoing legislative review that the Commission has already begun, the plenary also asks the Community Administration to shed light on other areas that critics say cause confusion and extra costs. In particular, there is concern about how seating assignments and the overall presentation of airline offers relate to baggage policies, which can make it harder for passengers to compare options and select the best deal.
The resolution is not binding, meaning it does not create immediate legal obligations. Yet it draws attention to the issue and signals that a future policy shift could reshape how baggage rules are framed. The European Commission is tasked with examining current legislation to better protect and inform air travelers, strengthen passenger rights, and ensure that airlines operate under consistent, fair conditions in a liberalized market.
MEPs note that inconsistent carry-on policies among different airlines could be viewed as unfair or abusive, especially for passengers who fly with multiple carriers or connect flights where each airline applies its own carry-on allowances. The pricing of hand luggage, as it stands, is not fully covered by the 2008 regulation that established common standards for the operation of air services. This gap can add to the sense of confusion for travelers and make it harder to gauge true costs before buying tickets.
The EU CJEU decision from 2014, arising from the Vueling case, states that hand luggage should be treated as an indispensable element of passenger transport when it complies with reasonable size and weight limits. Under that interpretation, luggage carried in the cabin should not incur a separate surcharge merely for being taken on board. In practice, this means airlines should not charge extra simply for cabin storage when the luggage fits within reasonable dimensions and weight.
Each carrier currently sets its own baggage allowance, size limits, and fees, sometimes introducing practices that passengers perceive as arbitrary. When travel involves a change of airline on the same journey, allowances may vary again, creating further complications. Critics argue that such fragmentation leads to confusion, slower boarding, inconveniences, and occasional disputes between travelers and airline staff. The parliamentary petition committee approved the resolution to address these effects and to move the discussion forward at the coming plenary session, scheduled for a debate this Wednesday. The aim is to clarify policy, reduce surprises at the airport, and foster smoother, more predictable travel experiences for passengers across Europe.