World · Europe · 4 hrs ago
EU rules guarantee a free personal item from October 2027
From October 23, 2027, EU rules guarantee one free personal item on covered flights.
The item, such as a handbag or small backpack, must fit under the seat or measure no more than 40cm x 30cm x 15cm.
A larger cabin suitcase is not guaranteed free: airlines can set their own baggage policies and offer cheaper fares without a larger hand-baggage allowance.
Airlines and booking services must show a fare that includes an allowance for a piece of hand baggage by default before booking begins, while still being able to offer cheaper options without it.
The rules depend on the flight and airline, not the traveller’s nationality; they cover departures from EU airports and some flights arriving in the EU from outside the bloc on EU airlines.
A flight leaving a UK airport is not automatically covered just because it is travelling to the EU.
UK travellers should check each flight’s baggage allowance and fees, including on return journeys, and their current allowances will not change immediately.
EU rules will guarantee passengers one free personal item in the cabin from October 23, 2027.
The item must be no larger than 40cm x 30cm x 15cm or fit under the seat in front.
The rules do not guarantee a free larger cabin suitcase, and airlines may offer different baggage allowances and fares.
Airlines will have to display fares that include a hand-baggage allowance by default before booking begins.
The rules apply based on the departure airport and operating airline, not the passenger’s nationality.
- Who
- Passengers covered by the EU rules, including travellers on flights departing from EU airports.
- What
- Airlines must allow one personal item on board without an extra fee. The rules do not guarantee a free larger cabin suitcase.
- When
- From October 23, 2027.
- Where
- Flights departing from EU airports, and certain flights arriving in the EU from outside the bloc when operated by an EU airline.
- Why
- The rules are intended to make baggage allowances clearer and flight prices easier to compare.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The regulation was signed.
The regulation was published in the EU’s Official Journal.
The new rules are due to apply.
- Free personal item
- One item, no larger than 40cm x 30cm x 15cm or fitting under the seat
- Larger cabin suitcase
- No universal free allowance is guaranteed
- Fare display
- Fares including a hand-baggage allowance must be displayed by default before booking begins
- UK departures
- A flight departing from a UK airport is not automatically covered because it is heading to an EU destination
- Effective date
- October 23, 2027
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What people are saying
The new rules now include the right to carry on board, without additional fee, one personal item, such as a small bag or backpack.
That all said, I would be wary of sites offering "free cabin luggage" as a synonym for "every bag is free".