Enhanced European regulations for carry-on baggage.
The European Parliament has taken a significant step towards standardizing airline carry-on rules, approving a proposal on June 24, 2025, that aims to promote industry-wide consistency across all airlines operating within the EU. The new regulations, pending approval by a majority of EU member states, will simplify the flying experience and eliminate many extra fees related to cabin bags.
Under the proposed rules, passengers will be allowed one cabin bag weighing up to 7 kg with combined dimensions up to 100 cm. Additionally, passengers will be able to carry a personal item, such as a handbag or laptop, with a standardized size of up to 40x30x15 cm—all at no extra cost, including on budget airlines.
This regulation will eliminate the current patchwork of baggage rules, simplifying the flying experience and ending additional fees for basic hand luggage. The initiative is part of a broader effort to reinforce passenger rights, including clearer ticket pricing, better refund and compensation schemes, protections for multimodal travel, and no fee for families with children under 12 to sit together.
Some airlines, like Ryanair, have chosen to increase their allowable hand luggage dimensions to 40 x 30 x 20 cm, which is slightly larger than the EU's proposed personal item size of 40 x 30 x 15 cm. This may create some variation, but the EU rules set a minimum standard that all airlines must follow. Once fully implemented, the regulation will guarantee passengers the right to carry at least one personal item free of charge with a standardized size, promoting consistency across carriers.
The new rule, if adopted, would apply to all flights within the EU, as well as routes to and from the EU. Airlines for Europe (A4E), which represents 17 of the region's leading airlines, has announced that its members have started applying the guaranteed set of dimensions of 40 × 30 × 15 centimeters for under-seat bags.
In summary, the proposal is near implementation pending member state approval and represents a significant move towards uniform hand luggage rules in the EU, benefiting travelers by reducing confusion and eliminating many extra fees related to cabin bags. The expected effective date is likely around July 2025 or shortly thereafter.
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[1] European Parliament (2025). Regulation on standardising dimensions for cabin baggage. [online] Available at:
- The new regulation in finance, aimed at standardizing airline carry-on rules, will not only simplify the travel experience by eliminating many extra fees related to cabin bags but will also promote lifestyle consistency across all airlines operating within the EU.
- The proposed dimensions for cabin baggage, with a weight limit of 7 kg and combined dimensions up to 100 cm, will allow passengers to carry one piece of cabin baggage and a personal item, such as a handbag or laptop, with a standardized size of up to 40x30x15 cm, all at no extra cost, including on budget airlines.
- The reinforcing passenger rights initiative also includes provisions for clearer ticket pricing, better refund and compensation schemes, protections for multimodal travel, and no fee for families with children under 12 to sit together, in addition to the standardization of hand luggage rules in the transportation industry.
