Free hand luggage, low cost airlines will be required by law

On June 25, the European Parliament took a step forward for traveler rights , voting almost unanimously in the Transport Committee on the proposal that establishes free hand luggage. Each passenger will be able to bring a trolley bag up to 100 cm in total on board at no additional cost. The EU deputies, at the instigation of the rapporteur Matteo Ricci (Democratic Party), voted on the regulation, which will be binding and aims to combat the non-transparent practices of low-cost companies.

The innovation, once confirmed in plenary and implemented by the member states, will put a brake on the “à la carte” policies of low-cost airlines, forcing them to include the trolley in the cabin in the basic price.

The new EU regulation on passenger rights

The proposed law introduces the principle that each flight ticket must include, without additional charge, a hand luggage of up to 100 cm (sum of length, width and height). According to the text voted in the Transport Committee, the included trolley is valid for all intra-EU routes and for flights departing or arriving from a Member State.

The obligation will also concern both traditional and low-cost companies, thus standardizing transport conditions. The maximum size allowed will be 100 cm, which will replace the recent unilateral variations of airlines for more restrictive limits (often 80–90 cm).

The principle will now have to be ratified by the plenary of the Parliament and implemented in the next 12 months by the countries of the Union. With this intervention, the Commission responds to consumer complaints about hidden supplements and opaque pricing policies , which have transformed the right to a trolley into a paid extra.

The objections of low-cost companies

The position of the Italian Association of Low Fares Airlines (AICALF) is different from that of the travelers. According to this, in fact, it is not possible to force all companies to include hand luggage in the basic price. The reason: it would increase the rates .

“The cost of the larger carry-on bag would simply be incorporated into the basic fare, taking away passengers’ freedom of choice and increasing ticket prices, even for those who do not wish to use this service,” says Alessandro Fonti , President of AICALF. “Why should those who prefer to travel light and spend less subsidize those who bring two bags on board?”

Fonti also highlights a practical problem of space: “MEPs ignore that on average there is space for only one piece of hand luggage for every two passengers. About 50% of travellers choose to bring only their personal items on board precisely to take advantage of cheaper fares. If this position were to become law, everyone would pay for a service that many do not intend to use.”

There could also be another problem according to Fonti, because in the absence of space in the cabin, many passengers would be forced to check in the largest trolley in the hold at the last moment. A practice that slows down the boarding operations , with the result of creating delays at departure and further waits at the arrival at the baggage carousel.

According to AICALF, therefore, a “one size fits all” rule would harm consumers by eliminating choice, flexibility and convenience, the pillars that have made low-cost air travel accessible in Europe.