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Irish low-cost carrier Ryanair and several other budget airlines have been in the doghouse with the EU lately to the tune of millions of euros over supposedly unfair hand-luggage policies and a lack of transparency when it comes to extra charges. To even the playing field, all the European leaders came together last week to agree on a universal rule regarding luggage, but it’s not exactly good news for passengers.

 

Last Thursday June 5, the transport ministers from all European Union countries came together and voted to change the regulations on passenger rights. In a nutshell, the agreement means that airlines will only have to offer free hand luggage options for tiny carry-ons that fit under the seat, such as backpacks and handbags.

 

Many of the low-cost carriers, including Ryanair, already enforce this rather limited option.

 

While the new regulation was carried by a majority, it’s worth noting that Spain voted against it, alongside Germany, Slovenia and Portugal.

 

This is certainly a major victory for the airlines but an expensive blow to passengers. Over the last year or two, there have been so many court cases and legal battles surrounding carry-on luggage policies that many people believed the size restriction might be abolished altogether.

 

Sadly, this is not to be. In fact, Ryanair recently strongly cautioned against such a move, claiming it would only force airlines to hike up ticket prices.

 

But before you go repacking your suitcase, remember that the law change still has to be endorsed by the European Parliament. While there’s little doubt it will, indeed, be passed, there’s no date yet for when it will come into force.

 

 

One of the most controversial points is what is considered carry-on baggage and what isn't, that is, what passengers can bring on board for free. When the new rule comes into play, airlines will have to allow every passenger to carry on board, free of charge, a piece of luggage measuring 40x30x15 centimetres. That is, any bag or backpack that fits under the airplane seat.

 

This regulation also indirectly confirms the practice of charging for carry-on bags that are a little bigger, something that has been common among certain low-cost airlines for years.

 

 

Personal baggage isn't the only issue addressed in this new agreement. The minimum delay time a traveller can experience before claiming compensation has also been increased from 3 to 4 and 6 hours, depending on the flight's distance.

 

Under these new standards, a flight would need to be delayed by a minimum of four hours, instead of the current three, to receive compensation for intra-EU flights or flights of less than 3,500 kilometres. For international flights or flights of more than 3,500 kilometres, the delay would require at least six hours to receive compensation.

 

 

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