European Union Adds New Carry-On Bag Rules: How Will Ryanair Market Flights?!

European Union Adds New Carry-On Bag Rules: How Will Ryanair Market Flights?!

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The European Union has just finalized some new regulations that will impact airline passengers. In a separate post, I covered how we’re going to see positive reforms to Europe’s (already) generous flight delay compensation scheme. That came as a surprise, since the belief was that the policies were going to become less generous.

That’s not all that’s changing, though. We knew that regulators in the European Union were considering introducing common dimensions for hand luggage, essentially banning airlines from charging fees for carry-on bags. There’s now an update there as well, as rules will change, but not quite as drastically as had been proposed in the past.

European Union will force airlines to market fares with bags

In 2025, we saw members of the European Parliament push legislation to introduce common dimensions for hand luggage. The idea was that passengers should have the right to carry one personal item, such as a handbag, backpack, or laptop (maximum dimensions of 40x30x15 centimeters), plus one carry-on item weighing up to seven kilograms (maximum dimensions 100 centimeters), onboard flights.

In June 2025, the European Parliament’s transport committee even voted in favor of this proposal. However, that didn’t mean that this would actually become law, as negotiations still needed to take place with the European Commission and the Council of the EU.

As it turns out, though, quite a bit has changed over the past year, and European Parliament has just reached a deal involving carry-on bags, but it’s not what was initially proposed. With the new policy, the idea is that airlines will have to display ticket prices inclusive of a full size carry-on bag, along with a personal item:

To create price transparency, air fares including allowance for a piece of hand baggage shall be displayed by default before the start of any booking process to facilitate fare comparisons between airlines.

However, they’re not actually banning charging for carry-on bags. Instead, during the booking process, passengers can still opt not to have a carry-on bag, in exchange for a discount. So this is all about how airlines market flights, and the idea is that a fare comparison between airlines will be more apples-to-apples.

While this legislation has now been passed, it’s not expected to be implemented until some point in 2027, so it remains to be seen exactly how flights can and can’t be marketed, and when the discount can be provided.

Airlines will have to include carry-on bags with advertised fares

Ryanair criticizes this “gobbledygook” legislation

Suffice it to say that this legislation will have absolutely massive implications for how Ryanair markets flights, since the airline is known for selling flights that cost very little, often less than a ride to the airport. Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary has a lot to say about this, unsurprisingly:

“These latest EU261 regs are more bureaucratic bunkum from the EU Parliament and Council. Instead of encouraging EU airlines to advertise our lowest fares (which exclude 2nd cabin bags), which is what over 50% of our customers choose, these new rubbish regulations require airlines to falsely advertise higher air fares, making EU airlines even less competitive.”

“As usual, neither the EU Parliament, nor the Council, have done anything to improve the competitiveness of EU airlines by abolishing Europe’s failed harmful ETS taxation or reforming the EU’s broken ATC system. Europe’s ATC system accounts for over 90% of airline delays, yet the airlines are not allowed to recover our EU261 costs from these failing Govt monopolies.”

“At a time when Putin invaded Ukraine, and there is a war in the Middle East, Europe needs to be more competitive if it is to deliver growth. At this time of international crisis, all the EU Parliament and Council can do is invent new regulations,  which will now force airlines to advertise higher air fares (which include 2nd cabin bag fees) instead of advertising our lowest air fares (which exclude 2nd cabin bag fees) which is what more than 50% of Ryanair passengers choose on a daily basis. When Europe needs economic growth to improve its defence spending, the best our leaders can manage is new regulations about airline cabin bags, which deny airlines the right to advertise our lowest available air fares.”

“Ryanair again calls on Ursula von der Leyen, and the EU Parliament, to stop making rubbish regulations which makes EU air travel less competitive, and instead do something competitive for European consumers by abolishing Europe’s discriminatory ETS tax (which only applies to intra-EU flights) and finally deliver effective ATC reform by requiring that ATC’s are fully staffed for first wave of morning flights, and protecting EU over flights during national ATC strikes.”

Say goodbye to Ryanair marketing $17 fares!

Is this consumer protection or government overreach?

I’ve gotta be honest… I didn’t support the concept of forcing airlines to include a carry-on bag with their fares, and I also don’t support forcing airlines to only market fares that include a carry-on (though I at least find this a little less offensive).

I’m not some uber-libertarian person who thinks governments shouldn’t get involved in anything, but I just don’t see an issue with airlines marketing fares without carry-ons and charging for them, as long as they’re transparent about it.

Why should the government dictate what should and shouldn’t be included with an airline ticket, in terms of how they market it? For example, have you tried booking a ticket on Ryanair’s website? I can promise you, they don’t hide the fact that their basic fares don’t include a carry-on bag. Frankly, they couldn’t be much more transparent about it.

I could understand this concept a couple of decades ago, when the idea of a fare without a full size carry-on was basically unheard of. But nowadays there are plenty of these fares, including from legacy carriers.

Now, some people may argue “well everyone needs a carry-on bag, so it’s ridiculous to market a fare without one in the first place.” I’d disagree with that. For example, many ultra low cost carriers charge less for checked bags than carry-on bags. Maybe someone wants to only bring a personal item, and then pay for a checked bag.

In 2026, people should know that regardless of the airline, simply comparing fares isn’t an apples-to-apples exercise.

I’m not sold on the merits of this policy change

Bottom line

The European Union is implementing new rules, regarding how airlines can market tickets. When this concept was first proposed last year, the idea was that all fares would have to include a full size carry-on.

Ultimately they’ve backtracked a bit on this concept, and the new idea is that all fares have to be marketed with a carry-on bag included, and then airlines can subsequently offer discounts if you only want to travel with a personal item.

It remains to be seen exactly how the implementation will work, but presumably this will hugely change the way that carriers like Ryanair market their flights.

I understand the concept behind this, but personally I find this to be unnecessary, and think it just creates confusion. It’s 2026, and passengers shouldn’t expect that all fares have the same inclusions. These new rules will make it harder for someone to comparison shop if they maybe like traveling with a personal item, and then paying for a checked bag, rather than paying for a carry-on bag.

What do you make of the European Union’s updated carry-on bag marketing rules?

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  1. Experienced traveller Guest

    As a retired traveller aged 79 years and my wife who is 70 years old , we buy the cheapest flight, usually with a free small bag under the seat and then we buy one x 20kg or 23 kg check in bag , which we share .
    At our age , we do not want to carry or roll cabin bags down airport corridors , up and down escalators and steps and then...

    As a retired traveller aged 79 years and my wife who is 70 years old , we buy the cheapest flight, usually with a free small bag under the seat and then we buy one x 20kg or 23 kg check in bag , which we share .
    At our age , we do not want to carry or roll cabin bags down airport corridors , up and down escalators and steps and then have to find a space in the overhead bins . The cost difference between one checked in bag and 2 cabin bags is usually immaterial . This enables us to travel and in 2026 already , we have visited Hong Kong ,China, Philippines , Bulgaria, Serbia, New Macedonia and Greece. No sitting at home watching TV for us !!!!!

  2. omarsidd Diamond

    Being able to compare a standardized product is handy, especially using agencies and search engines. Presumably somebody who's all-in on Ryanair and uses their website directly from the start can be nudged to the cheaper fare the same way they currently nudge them to the higher fare...

  3. TProphet Guest

    The real problem is the inability to reasonably comparison shop because the product isn't standardized. I am a big fan of the car insurance model. Liability insurance means the exact same thing in every state and it is the exact same product. Different insurance companies can compete on price, service, bundling, whether you agree to electronic billing or whatever else, but the product is exactly the same.

    Airlines aren't like that and this is a problem.

  4. Glidescope Guest

    1990 just creamed his pants. This might be the final straw that he lifts his glass from his Champagne Socialist armchair in the UWS and moves to Camden, Newham or Croydon in London?

    1. 1990 Guest

      *doing laundry* ...nah, I still prefer NYC (go Knicks!)

      *raises glass to consumer rights that force multi-billion dollar corporations to pay up when they aren't transparent or don't operate reliably* Cheers!

    2. BBK Diamond

      Never, cognitive dissonance is the pillarstone of the miserable socialist ideology. So our official TDS chief in charge will stay forever to live the benefits and lifestyle that we capitalists built

  5. Joey Guest

    I don’t care if Ryan air or any airlines sells seat without including cabin bags (carry on) . What bugs me most is lack of common dimensions for personal and carry on luggage.

    1. UncleRonnie Diamond

      You’re very unlikely to have BA (an airline with generous luggage allowances) and Ryanair (with the opposite approach) agree on the appropriate size of a wheelie bag.

    1. 1990 Guest

      Under the new rules, a standard 7kg (~15 lbs) overhead bag and a personal item must be included in the base ticket price by law. What point are you even trying to make? Do you just hate carry-on bags? No one is forcing you to bring one... like, be 'free'... travel light, good sir. LOL.

  6. Mantis Diamond

    Freedom to choose a lower fare with more restrictions is obviously unacceptable for the European masses. They are confused by choice. We must force such airlines to be exactly the same as all the others, thus ensuring competition, because I'm a retard.

    1. 1990 Guest

      Mantis is based in Asia, yet he regularly propagates anti-worker and anti-consumer sentiments on matters affecting the US and Europe.

    2. AeroB13a Diamond

      Perhaps 1990, Mantis has not scummed to the EU propaganda machine rhetoric and therefore is free to speak his own mind. Parroting woke, leftist ideology displays only ignorance of the facts 1990 …. yes?

    3. 1990 Guest

      Fair point, Aero. Luckily, consumer rights are floors, not ceilings. No one is forcing you to take the cash. If you prefer to preserve the airline's profit margins at your own expense, you are entirely free to leave your money on the table.

    4. AeroB13a Diamond

      Perhaps 1990, you might be better employed in trying to improve consumer rights in relation to the well documented as flawed, U.S. aviation industry. It is as clear as day, that your knowledge of the EU or other European nations aviation industries will only earn you the Walter Mitty ll accolade.

    5. 1990 Guest

      Aero, the EU, UK, and Canadian frameworks are exactly the blueprints the U.S. needs, which is why I constantly advocate for implementing them here. The fact that the EU is actively refining its rules to close carrier loopholes makes the model even more relevant.

      As for the meta commentary: There is a major difference between exhaustingly shilling for a single carrier (like Tim does for Delta), and advocating for broad structural improvements for workers and...

      Aero, the EU, UK, and Canadian frameworks are exactly the blueprints the U.S. needs, which is why I constantly advocate for implementing them here. The fact that the EU is actively refining its rules to close carrier loopholes makes the model even more relevant.

      As for the meta commentary: There is a major difference between exhaustingly shilling for a single carrier (like Tim does for Delta), and advocating for broad structural improvements for workers and consumers across the entire industry. If pushing for actual corporate accountability makes me a 'dreamer' in your eyes, I can live with that. Keep the comments coming.

    6. Samo Diamond

      The regulation doesn't remove that freedom. Fares without carryon are still going to be permitted.

    7. 1990 Guest

      Samo gets it. It's a consumer transparency law, not a ban on cheap tickets. Instead of airlines advertising an artificially cheap €15 fare and hiding the cabin bag fee until the final payment screen, they now have to show the all-in price with a standard carry-on first. Price-sensitive travelers can still opt out of the bag to save money, but airlines can no longer use hidden bait-and-switch fees to trick consumers.

  7. Jj Guest

    This is consumer protection at its best. If Ryanair wouldn’t act like they act, this law wouldn’t have seen the light.

    1. This comes to mind Guest

      Yeah, Ryanair is fantastically successful. Why? Lots of people fly them. But, the EU elite think they know better. People vote with their dollars. There is nothing wrong with Ryanair's model, but the low IQ folks who think they are smarter than the crowds think we need protection from them.

  8. AeroB13a Diamond

    One reads today the obituary of Bruce (Old Snake) Crandall. A Helicopter Pilot of the highest calibre.

    The likes of Col Crandall puts to shame the Walter Mitty type ‘aviation geeks’ of this unfortunate age.

    R.I.P. Colonel Crandall.

  9. Pete Guest

    Another huge problem is that this will cause significant delays because there is not enough space for everyone to bring carry-on bags.

    1. Samo Diamond

      1. Airlines will continue to be able to provide cheaper fares without bags included.
      2. The problem would disappear if airlines didn't charge for (the first) checked baggage.

  10. This comes to mind Guest

    Ryanair has an interesting problem. They well the seat and offer you to add a carryon for a fee (it includes priority boarding). But they only allocate 100 to sell each flight on planes with 189-197 seats. It is possible (though uncoming, I think) to sell out. Thus, late in the game, you might be able to buy a seat, but not add a carry on (all tickets get the underneath bag). How can they...

    Ryanair has an interesting problem. They well the seat and offer you to add a carryon for a fee (it includes priority boarding). But they only allocate 100 to sell each flight on planes with 189-197 seats. It is possible (though uncoming, I think) to sell out. Thus, late in the game, you might be able to buy a seat, but not add a carry on (all tickets get the underneath bag). How can they sell those under the new rules? The rules will require a carry on is included, which you may remove fir a reduction in price. They wouldn’t be able to do that unless they allowed unlimited carry on (at 1 per person).

  11. Gobbledygook Guest

    This is not just about Ryanair. Airlines should just market the service they provide. Today their marketing sadly focuses on catching consumers’ attention with low fares that don’t contain anything useful and penalise passengers, in the hope that people add on other services without being able to compare full prices to other options that may be available in the market. This is a massive waste of time for the consumer, inefficient for the industry and...

    This is not just about Ryanair. Airlines should just market the service they provide. Today their marketing sadly focuses on catching consumers’ attention with low fares that don’t contain anything useful and penalise passengers, in the hope that people add on other services without being able to compare full prices to other options that may be available in the market. This is a massive waste of time for the consumer, inefficient for the industry and also, morally wrong. I wish this legislation came sooner. Other countries should take note.

  12. Guest Guest

    I fully agree that it makes perfect sense to anyone with a brain that consumers should be given an easy way to compare the ripoff prices that Ryanair actually charges after leading you to believe you are getting a bargain with the prices from normal airlines. I personally can't travel with those crooks as they are just constantly trying to find reasons to charge you extra. I am prepared to pay extra and have done...

    I fully agree that it makes perfect sense to anyone with a brain that consumers should be given an easy way to compare the ripoff prices that Ryanair actually charges after leading you to believe you are getting a bargain with the prices from normal airlines. I personally can't travel with those crooks as they are just constantly trying to find reasons to charge you extra. I am prepared to pay extra and have done to fly with a decent airline. I don't understand why this journalist wouldn't want consumers to be able to assess how much their journey will cost easily. I just read another article where oleary is complaining about at least 1 flight a week being diverted because of drunk passengers but he won't be suggesting that he makes less profit by not selling alcohol to his passengers, personally I think his passengers have to be drunk in order to tolerate flying Ryanair

    1. Kor Guest

      I have flown Ryanair many times, completely sober. I live in Vienna, and when there is an option of Austrian airlines or Ryanair on same route, it is pure logic to go with the one what offers cheaper price. I have no problem to travel just with a backpack for a weekend away. I just checked same route (Vienna to Rome), and Austrian is at minimum double the price (120 vs 60 €). Yes, Austrian...

      I have flown Ryanair many times, completely sober. I live in Vienna, and when there is an option of Austrian airlines or Ryanair on same route, it is pure logic to go with the one what offers cheaper price. I have no problem to travel just with a backpack for a weekend away. I just checked same route (Vienna to Rome), and Austrian is at minimum double the price (120 vs 60 €). Yes, Austrian does include carry on, but I do not need it for single weekend, but even if I do add it with Ryan (inlcluding priority), they still end up bein 25 euros cheaper than Austrian. On such a short flight, Austrian does not offer anything that would justify price difference. And no, they are not trying to find reason to charge you extra. They are clear about their rules, and if one follows them, they will not charge anything extra. If, on the other hand, one is not able to understand what one is reading, that is a different story....

    2. KingBob Guest

      On Austrian you can get a pack of Manner hazelnut wafers. Mmmm.

  13. Cheryl Reid Guest

    NEVER every fly Ryan Air! On a recent trip to the EU, without my printer (duh!), I was unable to print boarding pasess when I did our online check-in. The online boarding pass system would not download to my phone with "technical difficulties." They charged 3 of us $25 EACH to print our boarding passes at the desk. And then they said that we could not take our carry-on bags and had to check them...

    NEVER every fly Ryan Air! On a recent trip to the EU, without my printer (duh!), I was unable to print boarding pasess when I did our online check-in. The online boarding pass system would not download to my phone with "technical difficulties." They charged 3 of us $25 EACH to print our boarding passes at the desk. And then they said that we could not take our carry-on bags and had to check them as cargo - another $25 EACH, even though they met the measurements stated. The flight was supposed to be from Barcelona to Paris. Actually the plane landed an hour and a half north of Paris and we had to pay another fee for the bus to take us into the city. They were supposed to take us to the Arc du Triumph (sp?) but no. Another costly bus ride to a Metro Station.
    Ryan air just sucks!

    1. This comes to mind Guest

      Wow. First, Ryanair specifically has a policy to give you a free boarding pass if you check in on line and your printer fails (phone dies, etc.). So, this should not happen. If you did not purchase a carry on beforehand, you have to pay a fee at the airport to have a carry on (not personal item). So, I'm guessing you arrived with a legit sized carry on, but hadn't paid to have one....

      Wow. First, Ryanair specifically has a policy to give you a free boarding pass if you check in on line and your printer fails (phone dies, etc.). So, this should not happen. If you did not purchase a carry on beforehand, you have to pay a fee at the airport to have a carry on (not personal item). So, I'm guessing you arrived with a legit sized carry on, but hadn't paid to have one. They were sold out of their carry bag allotment, so you couldn't pay to carry on. You had to pay to check it in the hold. Finally, Ryanair is clear they use Paris Beauvais Airport. Why were you surprised they flew you there? My recommendation is to pay more attention in booking your travels.

    2. Smic8881 Member

      Calling bs on most of these...
      Sounds more like you weren't paying attention to what you were booking.

  14. Ken Guest

    Lucky, unfortunately, the airlines are not transparent about the carry on fees. You have to go until the end of the booking to see the price. Some even require log in to see the price with carry-on, so I believe this compromise is actually appropriate even for your view. Often these fees are quite high, yet these airlines use human psychological/behavioural biases to trick customers. You need to see the actual discussion made to make...

    Lucky, unfortunately, the airlines are not transparent about the carry on fees. You have to go until the end of the booking to see the price. Some even require log in to see the price with carry-on, so I believe this compromise is actually appropriate even for your view. Often these fees are quite high, yet these airlines use human psychological/behavioural biases to trick customers. You need to see the actual discussion made to make this ruling to understand it better, instead of just judging on the surface.

  15. This comes to mind Guest

    I'm with Ben. Aren't we at a point technologically that we can have it any way? Let me click on a button. I can choose to see airfares with no carry on or checked, with carry on, or with carry on and one checked.
    Otherwise, let them do what they want with full disclosure. Yes, listing all prices without a carry on means those with a carry on may select an apparently lower fare...

    I'm with Ben. Aren't we at a point technologically that we can have it any way? Let me click on a button. I can choose to see airfares with no carry on or checked, with carry on, or with carry on and one checked.
    Otherwise, let them do what they want with full disclosure. Yes, listing all prices without a carry on means those with a carry on may select an apparently lower fare but get a higher one once the carry on fee is added. But, listing all prices with a carry on means that those with no carry on may select an apparently lower fare but get a higher one once the discount is applied.

  16. George Romey Guest

    Yep Reagan (who I'm no fan of) and Thatcher decided that airlines should charge for baggage. Reddit dribble.

    1. 1990 Guest

      Is 'outright lying' your new thing? Based on your typical conservative/libertarian commentary on here, you likely idolize both Reagan and Thatcher. (Oh, wait, did you forget the '/s'?)

    2. AeroB13a Diamond

      “Outright lying” is no new thing on this website. The fact that some “Lie” about events before they were even born and go onto promote an unbalanced narrative out of sheer ignorance, is apparent for all to see.

    3. 1990 Guest

      Aero, nice Tory-splaining. George spends all day defending free-market deregulation, then blames Reagan and Thatcher for airline baggage policy... The hypocrisy went over your head.

  17. Simmonad Guest

    Skyscanner now finally has the option to compare prices with a carry on bag, hold luggage or both.

  18. Syd Guest

    EU not giving up on outdumbing the dumb and dumber. Good.

    1. 1990 Guest

      ‘So, you’re telling me… there’s a chance!’

      (Not sure what actual point, if any, you were trying to make, because, for the most part, the EU is awesome, especially when it comes to passenger rights regulations, but, great film, regardless, so...)

    2. AeroB13a Diamond

      “The EU is awesome” posts 1990, the brain dead Guardian reader.

      It must have been a traumatic flight experience with two ankle biters in tow and so many flight changes. ‘Bill & Ben’ the flowerpot men …. :-)

      Do try to relax on your holiday chaps, the tension can be felt worldwide.

    3. 1990 Guest

      Pardon me, Aero, for leaving out how AWESOME the UK is, too, especially for their nearly identical air passenger rights regulations, UK261 (like EU261). Even “readers” of Telegraph might appreciate their compensation for significantly delayed flights under the airlines control. (Meanwhile, across the pond, we, in the US, have no such protections… *sigh*)

    4. AeroB13a Diamond

      1990, I repeat, parroting EU propaganda with accusations of complicity by the UK government, simply amplifies your lack of a rounded view of the EU.

  19. ImportViking Diamond

    Ryanair is the most profitable airline in Europe, so there's no need to feel sympathy for them. I'm sure O'Leary will find a way to advertise 'personal items fares'. For example: post the 'discounted' personal item rate in huge, shiny numbers and even call it a discount fare, and put the non-discounted fare with the mandated amount of hand luggage in small, boring letters below, in brackets.

    But this isn't about Ryanair. Europe has...

    Ryanair is the most profitable airline in Europe, so there's no need to feel sympathy for them. I'm sure O'Leary will find a way to advertise 'personal items fares'. For example: post the 'discounted' personal item rate in huge, shiny numbers and even call it a discount fare, and put the non-discounted fare with the mandated amount of hand luggage in small, boring letters below, in brackets.

    But this isn't about Ryanair. Europe has lots more airlines with sometimes really weird ideas about luggage. So it's good, in a way, that Brussels now wants to make the requirements a bit more uniform so that customers can compare in a better way. Remember that most people aren't engaged into flying and aviation like we are on this platform, and remember that half the people are more stupid than the average person.

  20. Phillip Guest

    I think what you’re missing here is how people actually purchase their flights. At least in Europe, people are most likely to hit an aggregator like SkySkanner, Kayak etc in search for flights. And given that it picks up fares across multiple OTAs (for example the same Ryanair flight as sold by Ryanair, and 10 other OTA’s) the customer isn’t always clear what they are purchasing even if they go to the OTA’s website. And...

    I think what you’re missing here is how people actually purchase their flights. At least in Europe, people are most likely to hit an aggregator like SkySkanner, Kayak etc in search for flights. And given that it picks up fares across multiple OTAs (for example the same Ryanair flight as sold by Ryanair, and 10 other OTA’s) the customer isn’t always clear what they are purchasing even if they go to the OTA’s website. And many people will but the Ryanair flight form OTA’s and not Ryanair directly. So consistency would absolutely make things more transparency. There’s an argument there whether the consistency is down to OTA’s being more transparent in how they display information but at least their excuse is they sell products from a myriad of sources! Not just a single airline inventory.

  21. Sue Guest

    I don't honestly care about fees, it's a nit compared to the cost of a 2-3 week vacation. However some standardization would be great since currently it is very difficult to find bags that fit all the European airlines. Maybe if they do it, other countries (like the US) will follow. They all use the same planes so it makes no sense they all have different dimensions.

  22. Alan Guest

    The thing is, they all charge a different amount for a carry-on bag. The benefit of them having to advertise the price inclusive of a carry-on bag is that it makes it much easier to compare prices between airlines.

    If you're not bothered about a carry-on bag, then sure, you can get a discount. However, I think it makes the price comparison much easier.

    I've also noticed on some of the third-party booking...

    The thing is, they all charge a different amount for a carry-on bag. The benefit of them having to advertise the price inclusive of a carry-on bag is that it makes it much easier to compare prices between airlines.

    If you're not bothered about a carry-on bag, then sure, you can get a discount. However, I think it makes the price comparison much easier.

    I've also noticed on some of the third-party booking sites, like Amex Travel or HSBC, they only seem able to access the fares without a carry-on bag. That is quite annoying because if you want to take a carry-on bag, you then can't use those portals. By doing this as default, it makes more sense, and then you can just discount it if you're not interested.

  23. Mike P Guest

    "The idea was that passengers should have the right to carry one personal item..."

    Perfectly illustrates the ignorance of government and the fools who control the levers of power. Oh, and one correction to the above statement. Replace "right" with "privilege". Governments can't create "rights"; they can only violate them.

    1. 1990 Guest

      Mike, enough of the Ayn Rand fan-fiction. We get it.. who is John Galt.. blah blah. Enough of your anarcho-libertarian chaos fetish. Lack of sensible regulation leads to corporate feudalism. Claiming ‘sovereign citizen’ isn’t a defense either. K thanx byyyeee.

    2. Mike P Guest

      You're so ignorant, it stuns the senses. You are incapable of anything other than your usual strawman.

    3. 1990 Guest

      Have you tried claiming victory? “You proved my point” … “I accept your surrender” … or, my favorite, claiming everyone else is a “hypocrite” (*gasp* OH NO! He got me! /s) Go ahead, quote Twain again if it makes you feel better…

    4. AeroB13a Diamond

      1990, to those who know it is you who needs to “Surrender” old crust. You are parroting EU propaganda because you know no better.
      One suspects that you have not even realised that the EU echelons of power is stuffed full of failed domestic politicians. The EU has become a gravy-train for the rejected political figures of mainland Europe. The sooner people like you realise that fact the better.

  24. Throwawayname Guest

    I think the proposal is eminently sensible.

    I don't think there is a lot for Ryanair to worry about. You have to remember that AFKL and LHG are in the process of introducing fares which don't include carry on luggage, but they offer different fare families depending on who operates which flight (e.g. Transavia/Discover/Air Dolomiti may have different allowances to their mainline siblings), whether there's an intercontinental connection involved etc. It'll be entirely possible...

    I think the proposal is eminently sensible.

    I don't think there is a lot for Ryanair to worry about. You have to remember that AFKL and LHG are in the process of introducing fares which don't include carry on luggage, but they offer different fare families depending on who operates which flight (e.g. Transavia/Discover/Air Dolomiti may have different allowances to their mainline siblings), whether there's an intercontinental connection involved etc. It'll be entirely possible for the same economy cabin to include passengers who are subject to 6-7 different sets of carry-on rules, the complexity is bewildering and make the sales process misleading even if there hasn't been such an intention.

  25. Alert Guest

    Carry-On bags are stupid and are a problem for everyone . Just stop the carry-on bags .

    1. Throwawayname Guest

      @1990 , it's no longer 1990. Luggage logistics and delivery are a lot more reliable than they used to be even 15 years ago.

    2. 1990 Guest

      @Throwawayname, hope so; either way, I prefer to keep my stuff with me (and travel light). Everyone should do what works best for them. Alert just wants to impose his will on everyone else. (That's why I felt the need to mock him). Stir the pot!

    3. Throwawayname Guest

      @1990 , I agree with you on that. I believe that any fear of missing baggage is exaggerated, if not irrational, but I certainly don't have a problem with those who can travel light.

      The only problem is people who don't want to check anything in and still attempt to carry 20kg+ of crap with them.

    4. 1990 Guest

      20kg!? Ouch. My back hurt just reading that.

    5. Alan Guest

      Reliable maybe, but fast-not so much. I don't want to waste 20+ min at my destination waiting for the baggage to finally arrive.

    6. 1990 Guest

      Alan, I agree; time is money. Which is why EU261 is so great, too, because, like saving 20 minutes not waiting for bags, if any airline is at fault for excessive delays, they then have to pay you, too. Wish we had something like that in the US… (watch as miraculously leas flights are delayed… incentives!)

  26. rrapynot Guest

    All of the airlines in Europe allow a free carry-on below a certain size. I fly then often and generally do not pay for any additional bags. This change will make it hard for me to comparison shop for flights since I won’t be able to use google flights etc to see the prices without additional bag fees, or the price if I choose to check a bag instead. It’s a poorly thought out plan....

    All of the airlines in Europe allow a free carry-on below a certain size. I fly then often and generally do not pay for any additional bags. This change will make it hard for me to comparison shop for flights since I won’t be able to use google flights etc to see the prices without additional bag fees, or the price if I choose to check a bag instead. It’s a poorly thought out plan. The problem is that all the airlines seem to have different dimensions and they are constantly changing which makes it difficult to purchase a bag and keep using it. I would have supposed a law that defined the weight and dimensions of the small bag so that I could buy one once and use it each time I fly.

  27. Rain Guest

    I don't understand what's not to like about this proposal. It doesn't change the ability for an airline to charge what it pleases nor does it dictate what can/can't be included in the fare.
    All it does is make it easier for people to compare the cost of products on a like for like basis. There's a certain set of people who wish punish customers who aren't as savvy which i don't agree with....

    I don't understand what's not to like about this proposal. It doesn't change the ability for an airline to charge what it pleases nor does it dictate what can/can't be included in the fare.
    All it does is make it easier for people to compare the cost of products on a like for like basis. There's a certain set of people who wish punish customers who aren't as savvy which i don't agree with. The basis for customer protections is that the customers with lower sophistication should be protected to a degree that more sophisticated customers aren't.

    1. rrapynot Guest

      I travel on short flights in Europe all the time and I usually don’t pay extra for a full-size carry-on since a small carry-on is usually included in the fare. When I do need to take more luggage I usually pay to check a bag because it is often cheaper than paying for a carry-on. In fact Aer Lingus includes a free checked bag but no carry-on bag in their cheapest fares.

      I think this will just cause confusion.

  28. Steve Guest

    This is actually good because otherwise currently to get the price with luggage you need to enter all of details and click through several screens to almost payment page.

  29. Chase Guest

    I think the dissenters are missing the plot here. It would’ve been brilliant if an airline had the prowess to implement this concept in the US back when bag fees were introduced. Because at the end of the day, airlines could have gotten around the GDS wars and full content agreements by discounting ancillaries rather than creating add ons, since they had to provide all ‘fares’ to the GDS’ and allowed for price comparison. But...

    I think the dissenters are missing the plot here. It would’ve been brilliant if an airline had the prowess to implement this concept in the US back when bag fees were introduced. Because at the end of the day, airlines could have gotten around the GDS wars and full content agreements by discounting ancillaries rather than creating add ons, since they had to provide all ‘fares’ to the GDS’ and allowed for price comparison. But airlines are greedy and didn’t want the associated tax burden to pay. It will be interesting to watch, because this would make price shopping easier for consumers.

  30. Tim Dunn Diamond

    I'm with Ben on this.

    Airlines should be allowed to include whatever they want in the fare - just disclose it.

    There are plenty of people that can and do travel without anything, esp. if they call home one city and work in another - which is common between western and eastern Europe.

    1. Samo Diamond

      The proposal doesn't remove the right to include whatever airline wants in the fare. It just establishes a baseline on what should be advertised as a fare in order to allow consumers to have a fair comparison of various offers.

    2. Tim Dunn Diamond

      and I agree with Ben that it is not necessary - and perhaps not even accurate of what consumers want - to dictate hand luggage but not other things.

      Just require fair comparison by noting exactly what is included in the price and what it costs to add on something

    3. AeroB13a Guest

      Why are you so desperate to “Agree with Ben” and be “With Ben on this”?

      I do enjoy a good game Wayne.

    4. AeroB13a Diamond

      AeroB13a (Guest) for once I am not in contention with you for misappropriating my login ID.

      It is abundantly obvious that Walter Mitty Dunn, is creeping up to Ben and Ben is swallowing the slimy rhetoric. Rewarding him even …. :-)

  31. Principal Lewis Guest

    Uniform underseat and carry-on baggage dimensions would be helpful. C'mon EU!

    1. rrapynot Guest

      Exactly. That would have been the best solution to this problem.

  32. Samo Diamond

    I get your point and I agree with it to some extent. However, it's increasingly common for airlines to market fares they know no one will buy, just to end up on top of search results and something needs to be done about it, because it interferes with the fair advertising.

    Personally, I'd prefer having a search engine (or an option when searching for fares on airline's website) that lets you enter exactly what...

    I get your point and I agree with it to some extent. However, it's increasingly common for airlines to market fares they know no one will buy, just to end up on top of search results and something needs to be done about it, because it interferes with the fair advertising.

    Personally, I'd prefer having a search engine (or an option when searching for fares on airline's website) that lets you enter exactly what services you want, and display prices for what you actually want to buy. But this would be much harder to implement, and I guess the accusations of government overreach would be even bigger, especially when airlines outside the EU would be affected.

    This is a decent compromise, although it doesn't go as far as I'd like (for example, I don't care about carry-ons, but I always want to check a bag).

  33. Jack Guest

    It's difficult to feel sympathy for the yobs and slappers who fly Ryanair - they clearly don't love themselves enough.

    1. This comes to mind Guest

      Count me in, then. I had a choice of a non-stop on Ryanair to DUB next month from a smallish (in terms of non-Schengen flights) airport in western Europe or connecting in AMS, CDG, or FRA. The former was 100 minutes; the latter would be about 7 or more hours from first departure to final arrival. And, I'd have to go through the EES as I tried to make a 2 hour connection, rather than...

      Count me in, then. I had a choice of a non-stop on Ryanair to DUB next month from a smallish (in terms of non-Schengen flights) airport in western Europe or connecting in AMS, CDG, or FRA. The former was 100 minutes; the latter would be about 7 or more hours from first departure to final arrival. And, I'd have to go through the EES as I tried to make a 2 hour connection, rather than prior to departure on the non-stop. Oh, and Ryannair was noticeable less expensive even with all my add ones. So, if they get me there safely, I can't imagine I'll have a complaint. Not that is ever is an option, but I'd take a 100 minute Greyhound in the US over a 7+ hours, 2-stop flight. Sometimes you find yourself choosing the lesser of evils. What should I have done? Fly private?

  34. Peter_ Member

    So instead they'll display $50 EU Regulatory Fare in small text and then in big text say "$17 Super Saver!" Which is the opposite of how it's marketed now - the continue with basic fare is in small text and then the upsell options are, you know, huge and marketed and obvious in terms of what is included.

    If this is about how flights are displayed in Google etc., the bag with the line through...

    So instead they'll display $50 EU Regulatory Fare in small text and then in big text say "$17 Super Saver!" Which is the opposite of how it's marketed now - the continue with basic fare is in small text and then the upsell options are, you know, huge and marketed and obvious in terms of what is included.

    If this is about how flights are displayed in Google etc., the bag with the line through it would seemingly indicate whether bags are included or not.

    Not opposed to consumer protection, just not sure folks are confused at this point. What seems much more unfair to me is a 55 euro airport check-in fee if you don't check in 2 hours in advance of your flight.

    1. Samo Diamond

      I don't think this will be legal. EU law already requires you to display the final price, and this should not be in smaller text than any other advertised prices. If the regulation is written well, the final price will be considered one with the carry-on included. The airline can still show both prices, but the price without the bag can't be larger than the price with it included.

      For example, Ryanair used to...

      I don't think this will be legal. EU law already requires you to display the final price, and this should not be in smaller text than any other advertised prices. If the regulation is written well, the final price will be considered one with the carry-on included. The airline can still show both prices, but the price without the bag can't be larger than the price with it included.

      For example, Ryanair used to have some bogus "EU261 fee" of 2 EUR per trip in the price breakdown, but the price they advertised always had to include this "fee".

  35. Ni Guest

    I’m from the government, and I’m here to help!

    1. 1990 Guest

      Reagan (and Thatcher) lied to a gullible generation who gave away their pensions so that a few a the top could get rich at all our expense. It was never 'government' that was the problem; it was those who convinced the public that a collective safety net was a form of bondage, rather than the foundation of a stable middle class.

    2. Rain Guest

      The worst part of it all was that it was most championed by the children and grandchildren of the generations who had worked hard to gain it all.
      That same generation then complains that the youth of today are entitled to complain about a world that is much harder to progress in than the one they inherited. They then fight hand over tooth to extract their last pound of flesh out of the welfare...

      The worst part of it all was that it was most championed by the children and grandchildren of the generations who had worked hard to gain it all.
      That same generation then complains that the youth of today are entitled to complain about a world that is much harder to progress in than the one they inherited. They then fight hand over tooth to extract their last pound of flesh out of the welfare state, even if it breaks for those after them due to it (see the triple lock for an example of this)

    3. 1990 Guest

      Rain, yes, that is the paradox of the neoliberal era:

      Some of the very people who climbed to security on a ladder built by the post-war consensus turned around, pulled the ladder up behind them, and then criticized the next generation for not knowing how to climb.

      While the US doesn't have a "triple lock," its equivalent flashpoint for generational inequality is a combination of Social Security, Medicare, and housing (as investments, rather than...

      Rain, yes, that is the paradox of the neoliberal era:

      Some of the very people who climbed to security on a ladder built by the post-war consensus turned around, pulled the ladder up behind them, and then criticized the next generation for not knowing how to climb.

      While the US doesn't have a "triple lock," its equivalent flashpoint for generational inequality is a combination of Social Security, Medicare, and housing (as investments, rather than shelter).

      Anyway, time to 'lift myself up by my bootstraps,' as they say here. "Let them eat, Biscoff!"

    4. AeroB13a Diamond

      There are real newspapers published online for the discerning reader. Yanks and others can avoid being brainwashed by the likes of the Guardian you know 1990. Straw man, cough, cough.

  36. Pedro Guest

    In other news, the EU proposes that McDonalds may only advertise the price of a Big Mac inclusive with fries and a drink. Of course if you don’t want a drink or fries you may receive a discount at checkout.

    1. TravelinWilly Diamond

      Provided McDonalds displays the price after the discount, what's the problem?

    2. Ross Guest

      Bring me a chicken salad sandwich on toast, but hold the chicken.

  37. 1990 Guest

    Good on EU for trying to help consumers. Wish we had better leaders in the US who cared more for their constituents than the airline lobby.

    1. AeroB13a Diamond

      If you lived with mountains of nonsensical EU rules instead of just observing and commenting upon those which you approve of, you might not bump your gums so readily. Typical of a yank who knows a little but pretends to be so knowledgeable, do stick to selling holidays 1990.

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1990 Guest

Good on EU for trying to help consumers. Wish we had better leaders in the US who cared more for their constituents than the airline lobby.

10
Rain Guest

I don't understand what's not to like about this proposal. It doesn't change the ability for an airline to charge what it pleases nor does it dictate what can/can't be included in the fare. All it does is make it easier for people to compare the cost of products on a like for like basis. There's a certain set of people who wish punish customers who aren't as savvy which i don't agree with. The basis for customer protections is that the customers with lower sophistication should be protected to a degree that more sophisticated customers aren't.

8
Steve Guest

This is actually good because otherwise currently to get the price with luggage you need to enter all of details and click through several screens to almost payment page.

7
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