Related Articles
UK holidaymakers are set to experience a significant shift in hand luggage rules on flights to Europe, as reported by the BBC. The national broadcaster has highlighted an impending “big” change for carry-on baggage on EU flights.
The era of being hit with extra charges for your cabin bags on flights might be drawing to a close within the European Union, according to the Beeb. On 24 June, legislators cast their votes in support of a measure that would permit travellers to take a small piece of hand luggage up to 7kg (15.4lbs) on board at no additional cost, including on low-cost carriers.
This development occurs amidst Ryanair’s chief Michael O’Leary’s criticism of ‘unimplementable’ plans that could see each passenger allowed two free pieces of cabin luggage.
During the budget airline’s financial briefing for Q1 of 2026, O’Leary lambasted the ‘impractical’ proposal. Travel Weekly quotes him saying: “The idea that everyone is entitled to two free bags on board is unimplementable – they don’t fit in the aircraft.”
He explained the current limitations, stating: “There’s not room on largely full aircraft for one small carry-on bag and one large trolley bag. About 50 per cent of the passengers can bring a trolley bag and we do that using the priority boarding service.”
O’Leary further commented: “Any rules that would alter that would be infringing EU rules guaranteeing the freedom of airlines to set pricing and policies, and we don’t believe that will happen.
“Europe’s airline market is built on choice. Forcing a mandatory trolley bag strips passengers of that choice and obliges passengers to pay for services they may not want or need,” stated Ourania Georgoutsakou, Managing Director of Airlines For Europe, Europe’s largest airline association.
“What’s next? Mandatory popcorn and drinks as part of your cinema ticket? The European Parliament should let travellers decide what services they want, what services they pay for and, importantly, what services they don’t.”
This follows Mr O’Leary’s announcement that he is contemplating increasing the incentive to “eliminate the scourge of passengers with excess baggage..”
He further commented: “I think it’s unlikely to play out but there’s clearly going to be some kind of negotiation between the parliament and the commission on passenger rights.”
