Major change coming to the way travellers book flights to Europe

If you’ve ever travelled within Europe, you’d know that low-cost flights there are a whole different beast.

Yes, you can fly to Spain for less than $20 – but you’d better hope that you are travelling with nothing but the clothes on your back and you won’t want so much as a cup of water while on board. But all that is about to change.

New regulations have come into place that mean all airlines must include hand luggage in their default ticket prices.

The agreement from the European Union is 13 years in the making, and will mean more transparent pricing, while making it a lot easier for passengers to easily compare fares across airlines.

Set to take effect in 2027, all passengers will be able to travel with one cabin bag and a small one that fits under the seat, as part of their base fare.

That doesn’t mean the days of travelling with nothing but a bum bag are gone, though.

New hand luggage rules in Europe

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The legislation states that though the base fare must come with cabin baggage allowance, airlines may offer a discount to passengers who choose to travel with just a personal item.

Low-cost carrier Ryanair has made their thoughts on the new rules clear. CEO Michael O’Leary blasted the agreement, calling it “bureaucratic bunkum” and “rubbish regulations”.

“Under these new, even more stupid rules, EU airlines become less competitive as they will be forced to advertise higher fares (which include a second cabin bag) when over 50 per cent of passengers already opt for a lower fare and choose not to travel with a second cabin bag.”

Ryanair’s current basic fare includes one small bag that must fit under the seat. Adding a cabin bag up to 10kg costs between £6 and £36 ($11 to $69), depending on your route.

The airline earned €4.99 billion from extras (luggage, seat selection, etc.) in 2026 alone.

More changes to flights in Europe

The hand luggage rule is just one part of the massive consumer rights overhaul.

From next year, airlines will be banned from charging extra fees for an adult who wants to sit next to child under the age of 14. The same rule will apply for pregnant travellers and passengers with reduced mobility travelling with a companion.

There will also be no more “no show” penalties for travellers who book a round-trip ticket but miss (or purposely skip) the outbound leg.

Another regulation comes as a direct response to Ryanair’s digital only boarding pass rule. Airlines will no longer be able to force passengers to download an app just to get their boarding pass.