The transport committee of the European Parliament has just voted to strengthen passenger rights with respect to hand luggage. Holidaymakers will be able to take an additional free piece of hand luggage up to 7kg on board! This important decision creates new opportunities and more flexibility for passengers. Now, any travelers who choose to travel with only hand luggage will see the rewards!
With the new standard, passengers are now allowed to bring one additional item into the cabin. This includes one purse or laptop case, provided it does not exceed 40cm x 30cm x 20cm, and no extra charges apply. This new size is a 20% increase in volume over current maximum dimensions. The proposed rule still needs full approval by the European Parliament before it can be made law.
In reaction to this new policy, Ryanair made headlines by promising to enlarge its “personal bag” allowance by 20%. Ryanair has the SPD SignatureTrolley™ for Ryanair on Amazon with a dimension of 40 x 25 x 20 cm max bag size. That’s bigger than the new European standard for under-seat bags, which is 40cm x 30cm x 15cm. Smart application of the policy This amendment supports the European Parliament’s overall aim of raising the quality of the passenger experience.
British Airways (BA) maintains this very high bar for its travelers. You are allowed one on-board under-seat laptop bag or handbag with max dimensions 40cm x 30cm x 15cm. On BA you get one bigger cabin bag for free—a 23kg max. The new European hand luggage rules stipulate a maximum weight of under 10kg for hand baggage. It’s got to live under the seat in front of you though, making adventure that much easier and accessible to all.
We looked at the transport committee’s very significant step last month. This move is the latest in a broader commitment to improve travelers’ experiences flying around Europe. This year, the committee is giving pass holders the option to have a second piece of hand luggage. This modification is in response to the increased traveler demand for flexibility.