Any frequent flyer is familiar with this dilemma when setting out on a flight: trying to pack half your wardrobe or squeeze your backpack to the limit to avoid the strict carry-on baggage fees charged by some airlines.
After more than a decade of negotiations—13 years, to be precise—the European Union has officially published new guidelines on air passenger rights.
While the initial promise seemed to be the complete elimination of carry-on baggage fees, the final approved text includes several nuances.
So we’ll explain exactly what’s going to change and how this affects the way you book your trips.
The right to one free “personal item”
The most significant change in the new law, which takes effect on October 23, 2027, is the legal guarantee that any passenger flying within the European Union has the right to bring one small personal item on board without paying anything at all for it.
The rules set a clear standard: a suitcase or backpack cannot exceed the dimensions of 40 x 30 x 15 cm and must fit under the seat in front of you. This requirement is now a consumer right, putting a stop to airlines that were beginning to test charging for any type of carry-on item.
Larger bags are still subject to fees
If you travel with the standard carry-on “trolley” (to be placed in the overhead compartment), it’s a different story. The new regulations allow airlines to continue setting their own pricing policies for larger bags.
In practice, airlines can continue to offer cheaper tickets (“bare-bones” fares) to travelers who pack light, while charging an additional fee to passengers who need a traditional carry-on bag.
The main victory for passengers under these rules is the requirement for complete price transparency.
The guidelines stipulate that airlines, booking platforms, and flight comparison sites are now required to display the total, final ticket price—with carry-on baggage included—right from the very first step of the search.
The goal is simple: to put an end to the “ghost fare” trick that looks irresistible on the first page but doubles in price after dozens of clicks when you try to add your weekend bag.
The UK exception
For Portuguese travelers who frequently travel to the UK, it’s important to pay attention to one crucial detail: Brexit.
Since the United Kingdom is no longer part of the European Union, the new European law does not apply universally to British flights. Here’s how it will work:
- Flights departing from the EU (even those operated by British airlines)
- Flights departing from the United Kingdom (operated by EU airlines)
- Flights departing from the United Kingdom (operated by British airlines)
There is still a transition period before the rules take effect in 2027. Until then, the golden rule remains: carefully check the allowed dimensions for each airline and each route before finalizing your booking.
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