Passenger rights
Cabin bag fees in Europe: what's free now, and what changes in 2027
Low-cost airlines and now Lufthansa charge for cabin trolleys on their cheapest fares. Here's what you can bring for free today, and what the new EU rules change from October 2027.
"Is my cabin bag included?" has become one of the most expensive questions in European travel. More airlines now sell their cheapest fares with only a small bag under the seat, and charge extra for a trolley in the overhead locker. New EU rules will change part of this — but not until 23 October 2027, and not in the way many headlines suggested.
What's free today
On almost every European airline, the cheapest fare includes one small personal item that fits under the seat in front (a handbag, laptop bag or small backpack). The size limit varies by airline — often around 40 x 30 x 20 cm, but some are smaller.
A cabin trolley (around 55 x 40 x 20 cm) is a different story. Low-cost airlines such as Ryanair, Wizz Air, Vueling and easyJet have charged for it on their basic fares for years. Since 19 May 2026, the Lufthansa Group also sells an Economy Basic fare on short and medium-haul routes that includes only the small personal item.
| What you bring | Cheapest fare today | From 23 Oct 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| Small under-seat bag | Usually free | Free by law (up to 40 x 30 x 15 cm, or fits under the seat) |
| Cabin trolley | Often extra on basic fares | Can still cost extra — but the fare including it must be shown first |
| Checked bag | Usually extra | No change |
What the new EU rules actually say
The reform of EU air passenger rights (Regulation (EU) 2026/2202) adds a new article on baggage:
- A free personal item: airlines must let you take one into the cabin at no extra cost. It's defined as a bag of up to 40 x 30 x 15 cm, or one that fits under the seat in front.
- A cabin bag, subject to space: airlines must allow a piece of hand baggage into the cabin when there is room — but they may still charge for it.
- Honest prices: airlines, travel agents and comparison sites must show the fare including a cabin bag by default, so a cheap headline price no longer hides the trolley fee.
The European Parliament had pushed for a free 7 kg trolley for everyone. That did not make it into the final law. More on the rest of the reform in our guide to the new EU flight rights from October 2027.
Can you challenge a cabin-bag fee now?
This is contested. In 2014 the EU Court of Justice ruled (case C-487/12) that reasonable hand baggage is an essential part of air transport, not an optional extra. Spain fined five low-cost airlines a total of €179 million in 2024 for charging for cabin bags, and German consumer groups have taken action too. But the European Commission sided with the airlines in October 2025, and the Spanish fines have been challenged in court.
In practice, refusing to pay at the gate is risky — you may not be allowed to board. If you think a charge was unfair, pay, keep the receipt, and complain afterwards to the airline and your national consumer body.
What to do now
- Measure your bag. The cheapest way to fly is often with a personal item only — but only if it really fits the airline's size.
- Compare the full price. Add the cabin bag before you compare fares; a "cheap" ticket plus a trolley can cost more than a standard fare elsewhere.
- Pay online, not at the gate. Gate fees for an oversized bag are usually far higher than buying the bag allowance in advance.
- Flight delayed by 3+ hours or cancelled? You may be owed €250–€600 — see our guide to EU flight rights. You can claim free from the airline, or use a service like AirHelp (affiliate link) that charges a share only if it wins.
- Check in on time. Some airlines have tightened bag-drop deadlines — Ryanair now closes its bag-drop desks 60 minutes before departure (since 10 November 2026).