Anyone who has flown in recent times is all too familiar with that silent tension before boarding: crossing your fingers at the check-in counter, pulling your jacket tight to hide an extra bulge, and praying that no one measures that backpack that seems to have gotten bigger along the way. That old airport ritual is about to become a thing of the past thanks to a final agreement signed by the European Council and the European Parliament that will transform the rules of the game in the continent’s skies.
The new regulations, which will officially take effect in 2027, will put an end to additional fees for carry-on luggage on all flights within Europe. After more than a decade of intense negotiations, the EU institutions have structured this measure with the goal of making travel costs much more transparent and predictable for passengers before they purchase their tickets.
Goodbye to mandatory carry-on extras
Under the new regulations, any traveler will be entitled to board the plane with one carry-on bag weighing up to seven kilos, plus a small item that fits under the seat in front of them, without having to pay any extra fees.
Since the cost of checked bags will be automatically included in the initial ticket price, it’s very likely that low-cost airlines will raise their base fares. In this way, airlines will seek to offset the revenue they’ll lose from the fees they currently charge for carry-on luggage.
Clearer compensation for delays and cancellations
The agreement isn’t limited to what we put in the overhead bins; it’s part of a broader effort to strengthen passenger rights and make the claims process fairer and clearer.
Once the law takes effect, the rules for compensation will become very specific: travelers will be entitled to 300 euros in compensation for delayed flights covering a distance of more than 3,500 kilometers. If the delay exceeds four hours or if the flight is canceled outright, the compensation will amount to 600 euros.
