EU’s New Carry-On Baggage Rule: Why It Was Created and Why IATA Opposes It
EU’s New Carry-On Baggage Rule: Why It Was Created — and Why IATA Opposes It The European Union’s latest air travel reform has ignited a continent-wide debate: should all passengers have the right to bring carry-on baggage for free? While the EU Parliament has proposed a rule to ban fees for standard cabin bags , the aviation industry led by IATA is pushing back hard. EU Carry-On Baggage Policy Change What Is the EU Proposing? The European Parliament’s Transport Committee recently approved a proposal requiring airlines to allow: One standard cabin bag (up to 7 kg, total dimensions ≤ 100 cm), and One personal item (up to 40×30×15 cm), free of charge on all EU flights. The move aims to clarify and enforce a 2014 European Court of Justice (ECJ) decision that deemed fees for reasonable cabin baggage unfair. The full Parliament and the EU Council must still vote on it before it becomes law—likely in late 2025 or 2026 . Why Was This Rule ...