The approved text reflects a pragmatic stance: it argues that mandating all carriers to offer free cabin luggage could distort competition, particularly between legacy airlines and low-cost carriers, whose business models rely on basic fares with optional add-ons. From this perspective, the new framework seeks to preserve market flexibility while introducing clearer safeguards: airlines will be required to provide transparent and accurate information about additional charges during the booking process, thereby addressing long-standing complaints about misleading advertising and hidden fees.
However, critics view this green light as the institutionalization of an abusive practice that undermines passenger rights. Consumer associations and several Members of the European Parliament have voiced concern that this policy disproportionately affects average travelers and turns a formerly standard amenity into a luxury. In Spain, both the government and groups like FACUA and the OCU have strongly opposed the measure, arguing that it encourages opaque pricing and weakens consumer protection against excessive charges.
Germany also aligned itself with a more consumer-focused perspective, insisting that hand luggage is a basic necessity, not a premium service. Nevertheless, both countries found themselves in the minority, as most Member States backed the proposal under the belief that fare transparency and free-market principles should prevail in the European aviation sector.
The decision comes at a pivotal moment for the industry, which is undergoing a digital and environmental transformation. Airlines are under pressure to decarbonize operations, comply with new environmental regulations, and manage increasing passenger volumes in a post-pandemic context. In this scenario, many carriers view ancillary fees—such as those for baggage—as a legitimate way to diversify revenue without directly raising base ticket prices.
Yet this approach carries reputational risks. Passenger frustration with unexpected charges can erode trust in airlines and foster a negative perception of the industry. Some experts warn that excessive fare segmentation may ultimately harm the customer experience and distort the true cost comparison of flights, particularly on booking platforms and search engines.
Ultimately, the EU’s decision to approve hand luggage fees marks a turning point in the region’s air transport policy. It represents a victory for airlines seeking greater commercial freedom but also raises serious questions about consumer rights, transparency, and fairness. The EU will need to closely monitor how this measure is implemented in the coming months and whether the promised conditions of clarity and honesty are upheld.
In the meantime, travelers must adapt to a new reality in which every centimeter and kilogram counts, and where the final cost of a flight no longer depends solely on the destination—but also on what you bring in your hand.
