Airlines unhappy as European Parliament backs passengers’ rights: larger cabin bags and higher compensation

The European Parliament’s Transport Committee has opened a new front in protecting air passengers’ rights by adopting a proposal that would grant broader compensation and allow larger, free hand luggage for all passengers, including those flying with low-cost carriers. The proposal passed with 34 votes in favour, none against, and only two abstentions.

What would change for passengers?

According to the committee’s position, every passenger would be entitled to take on board, free of charge, one piece of hand luggage weighing up to 7 kilograms and not exceeding 100 centimetres in combined dimensions (length + width + height), along with a smaller bag that fits under the seat. This would represent a significant relaxation compared with current practices, as many airlines, especially budget ones, currently allow only a much smaller personal item free of charge.

By contrast, the European Council and the European Commission would limit this right more narrowly, supporting only one under-seat bag measuring up to 40×30×15 centimetres to be carried free of charge, Politico reported.

The committee’s position would also raise the minimum compensation for flight delays or cancellations. Under the existing system, passengers receive between EUR 250 and EUR 600 for delays of at least three hours; the new proposal would increase the lower threshold to EUR 300.

Three-hour compensation threshold to stay

While the European Commission proposed as early as 2013 that compensation should only apply to delays of more than five hours, and the Council now supports thresholds of four and six hours depending on route length, Parliament has rejected such changes, 444.hu wrote.

Members of the European Parliament consider the three-hour rule a “red line” they are unwilling to cross, arguing that raising the threshold would strip a large proportion of passengers of their right to compensation. Airlines, on the other hand, favour the higher limits, claiming these would mean fewer delay penalties and lower costs for carriers.

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Tension between institutions and airlines

The new proposals have sparked heated debate. Airlines for Europe, the organisation representing major carriers and parent companies, called the Parliament’s stance unrealistic. They argue that “political calls for free hand luggage completely contradict passengers’ real preferences,” claiming that many travellers prefer cheaper base fares with optional add-ons to more expensive tickets that include additional services.

Parliament, however, remains united. “Three hours is our red line,” emphasised Andrey Novakov, a member of the European People’s Party, adding that this rule would allow most passengers to retain their current rights.

What happens next?

The upcoming trilogue negotiations between the European Parliament, the Council, and the Commission are expected to be tense. The final decision is also under time pressure, as the Council has set an unusually strict six- to eight-month deadline for reaching an agreement. Nevertheless, passengers have reason for optimism, as the European Parliament stands firm in defending their interests and refuses to weaken existing rights.