Good news for air travelers: from 2027, new European Union rules are expected to make it easier to fly with hand luggage without paying extra fees.

Under proposals approved by the European Commission, airlines operating under the new regulations will be required to include a standard piece of cabin luggage in the advertised ticket price. This aims to make airfare comparisons clearer by showing prices that already include the basic baggage allowance, helping passengers understand the real cost of their journey before booking.

The free allowance will cover one cabin bag measuring up to 40 x 30 x 15 cm, in addition to the personal item that passengers are already permitted to place under the seat in front of them.

Although travelers will benefit from having a cabin bag included, the change could lead to slightly higher base fares, particularly among low-cost airlines that currently charge extra for this service. However, airlines will still be able to offer discounted fares for passengers who choose to travel without a larger cabin bag.

The legislation is expected to come into force during 2027, although the exact implementation date has not yet been announced.

What Does This Mean for UK Flights?

Even though the UK is no longer part of the European Union, the new rules may still affect British travelers.

There have been reports that UK Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander is considering introducing similar legislation. Consumer organization Which? Also believes that many airlines are likely to adopt the same baggage policy regardless of whether they are legally required to do so.

This is because the rules will apply not only to EU-based airlines but also to flights departing from the EU to the UK, including services operated by British carriers. Maintaining different baggage policies depending on the direction of travel would be complicated, so many airlines are expected to use a single, consistent policy across their European routes and UK flights.

What Are Airlines Offering Today?

Some airlines already include a free personal cabin bag in their lowest fares.

Ryanair currently allows passengers to bring one free personal bag measuring up to 40 x 30 x 20 cm, which is larger than the minimum size required under the upcoming EU rules.

easyJet includes a complimentary cabin bag of up to 40 x 36 x 20 cm with every standard fare, and the airline says that almost 40% of its customers travel using only this allowance.

Wizz Air has not yet confirmed when it plans to introduce any changes related to the new regulations.

As airlines prepare for the new requirements, travelers can expect greater transparency when booking flights and a more consistent approach to cabin baggage across Europe.