EU Cabin Baggage Rules Promise Free Carry-Ons But Keep Charges for Rollaboards
Translated & summarized from N12 by baba
New EU regulations starting October 23, 2027, will allow one free small personal item per passenger but allow airlines to charge for standard carry-on "trolley" bags. The rules aim to increase price transparency by requiring total prices to be shown upfront and banning hidden fees. The regulations apply to flights within the EU and flights departing from the EU, with partial application to flights from Israel to Europe on EU carriers.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- New EU rules starting Oct. 23, 2027, allow only one free small personal item per passenger.
- Airlines can still charge for standard "trolley" carry-on bags under the new EU regulations.
- Booking sites must display total prices including hand baggage from the start of searches.
- The regulations apply to all flights within the EU and those departing from the EU.
- Flights from Israel to Europe on Israeli airlines are not directly covered by the new EU rules.
New European Union regulations aimed at increasing airfare transparency and eliminating last-minute fees will take effect on October 23, 2027, but a key provision regarding carry-on luggage has been widely misunderstood. While the legislation intends to curb hidden charges, a close examination of the "small print" reveals that airlines will still be able to charge passengers for standard-sized "trolley" suitcases.
The EU regulation (Regulation (EU) 2026/2202) guarantees passengers the right to bring one "small personal item" for free, such as a backpack or laptop bag, with dimensions not exceeding 40x30x15 cm, which must fit under the seat in front. However, airlines are not obligated to allow free carriage of larger rollaboard suitcases in the overhead compartments. Low-cost carriers, in particular, can continue to sell cheaper tickets that exclude such bags and charge separately for them.
On the positive side, the new rules mandate that booking sites and airlines must display a total price that includes a "hand baggage" allowance from the outset of a search, preventing surprise fees at the point of purchase. Additionally, airlines will be prohibited from using tactics to obscure baggage fees or forcing passengers to purchase priority boarding solely to bring a personal item onboard.
The impact on Israeli travelers depends on their flight route and the airline. For flights departing from Israel to Europe, the EU rules apply only if the flight is operated by an EU-based airline. Flights from Israel to Europe on Israeli carriers are not directly covered. However, all flights departing from an EU airport back to Israel, regardless of the airline's origin, will be subject to the new regulations. Intra-European flights are fully covered by the new legislation.
