On 4 October, Members of the European Parliament issued an important clarification. contrary to European rules a surcharge for carrying hand baggage in the cabin.
Airlines' different rules on hand luggage mean hidden costs for travellers. The jungle of hand luggage tariffs and rules makes it more difficult to compare prices, stressed MEPs.
What's more, when passengers take different airlines or have to change their plans, theinconsistent rules creates confusion. The resolution, which was adopted by a show of hands, underlines the public's concern about the inconvenience and discomfort caused by the inconsistency of the rules. We are therefore moving towards a revision of European legislation on air passenger rights. It would thus offer a solution, says the resolution.
MEPs point out that when reviewing current EU legislation on air services, the Commission will have to fully implement a ruling by the Court of Justice of the European Union in a dispute dating back to 2014 between a passenger and the airline Vueling.
A precedent-setting ruling in 2014
According to the judgement of the time, "it should be considered that the cost of transporting checked baggage may constitute an optional price supplement within the meaning of Article 23(1) of Regulation Noo 1008/2008, given that such a service cannot be considered obligatory or indispensable for the transport of these passengers. "
But " on the other hand, with regard to unchecked baggage, i.e. hand baggage, it should be noted [...] that such baggage must be considered, in principle, as constituting un indispensable part of passenger transport and that the carriage of such baggage shall therefore not be subject to a surcharge, provided that such baggage meets reasonable requirements in terms of weight and dimensions and complies with applicable safety regulations. "
Members of parliament therefore stress the need to introduce consistent, harmonised European rules on the sizing and pricing of airline hand baggage. This legislation should also abolish the notion of baggage weight and focus solely on baggage size. The new legislation should also assess other hidden costs. Such as, for example, the costs involved in allocating seats, say the MEPs. A real revolution "made in the European Union"!
Sidebar: the jungle of cabin baggage limits in economy class in Europe
| Airlines | Dimension | Weight limitation | Small bag |
| Air France | 55cm x 35cm x 25cm | 12 kg | included in total weight |
| Lufthansa, Swiss, Austrian, Brussels Airlines | 55cm x 35cm x 25 cm | 8 kg | in addition |
| British Airways | 56 cm x35 cm x 25 cm | 23 kg | included in total weight |
| Easyjet | 45 cm x 36 cm x 20 cm | 15 kg | not authorised |
| Finnair | 55 cm x 40 cm x 23 cm | 8 kg | included in total weight |
| Iberia | 40 cm x 20 cm x 25 cm | 10 kg | not authorised |
| LOT | 55 cm x 40 cm x 23 cm | 8kg | 2 kg |
| TAP Air Portugal | 55 cm x 40 cm x 20 cm | 10 kg | included in total weight |
| Transavia | 55 cm x 35 cm x 25 cm | 10 kg | included in total weight |
| Wizz Air | 40 cm x 30 cm x 20 cm | 10 kg | not authorised |
(Sources: websites of each airline as at 03/10/23)
