Packing for a cheap flight has turned into a bit of a guessing game, with many budget airlines charging extra for anything bigger than a small handbag.
That could be about to change, as new European rules will soon give passengers the right to take two bags on board without paying more. The big question for UK holidaymakers is whether easyJet, Ryanair and Wizz Air will offer the same deal on flights leaving Britain, and the three airlines have very different answers.
Two free bags are on the way for EU flights.
Under the new law, anyone buying a standard ticket will be allowed a small bag that fits under the seat in front plus a larger cabin bag, with no added charge for either. The underseat bag can measure up to 40cm by 30cm by 15cm, while each airline will be free to set its own size limit for the second, bigger bag that goes in the overhead locker.
Don’t start packing that extra case just yet, though. The changes won’t kick in until October 2027 at the earliest, and an exact start date still hasn’t been confirmed. While European leaders have agreed on the plans, the final wording of the law hasn’t been formally published, so some details could still genuine between now and then.
Why UK flyers might miss out
Because the rules come from the European Union, they only cover airlines based in the EU and flights that take off from airports inside it. Britain left the bloc, so carriers registered here don’t have to follow the new law when flying out of UK airports, even if they’re heading to Spain, Italy or Greece.
That creates an odd situation for lots of holidaymakers. Your return journey from an EU airport would fall under the rules, but your outbound flight from Manchester or Gatwick might not, depending on which company is running it. Many big budget brands operate separate UK and European arms, so the name on your boarding pass doesn’t always tell you which rules apply.
Ryanair is giving everyone the extra allowance.
Of the three airlines, Ryanair has given the clearest answer. It says it will bring in the change from October 2027 and that every passenger on every one of its flights will benefit, including people travelling from UK airports. That’s good news for anyone who regularly flies with the Irish airline on short city breaks or summer getaways.
The size limit for the second bag will stay the same as it is now, at 55cm by 40cm by 20cm, with a maximum weight of 10kg. If you already own a case that fits those measurements, you shouldn’t need to buy anything new. The difference is that you’ll no longer have to pay on top of your ticket to bring it with you.
easyJet hasn’t made up its mind.
easyJet says it’s still looking at how it will handle the new law. At first, the airline suggested nothing would change for UK flights, which made it sound as though passengers flying out of Britain would carry on paying for a larger bag. It later clarified that no final decision has been made either way.
Most easyJet flights from the UK are run by easyJet UK, which isn’t classed as an EU airline and so doesn’t have to follow the new rules on outbound journeys. Its sister company, easyJet Europe, will have to stick to them. Until the airline confirms its plans, travellers booking for late 2027 onwards won’t know for sure what they’re entitled to.
Wizz Air is waiting for the final details.
Wizz Air says it will fully follow the new requirements once they’re in place. However, it feels it’s too soon to explain exactly how its bag policy will change, since the law hasn’t been officially published yet. The airline plans to use the time before late 2027 to get ready and says customers will be told more nearer the time.
As with easyJet, most Wizz Air flights from Britain are handled by a separate UK-registered company. That arm wouldn’t be bound by the European rules on flights leaving the UK, so whether passengers here see any benefit will depend on what the airline chooses to do rather than what the law demands.
More passenger rights are coming in 2027.
Bags aren’t the only thing changing. Airlines will no longer be able to charge a fee for fixing a spelling mistake in a name on a ticket, which has caught out plenty of people over the years. Passengers who miss their outbound flight will also still be allowed to take their return journey, instead of having it cancelled automatically.
People with disabilities or reduced mobility will be entitled to compensation and a new route if they miss a flight because airport staff didn’t get them to the gate in time. Families will benefit too, as children under 12 will have to be seated next to an adult in their group, and airlines won’t be able to charge extra for arranging it.
Will tickets end up costing more?
Most people flying with budget carriers already pay for a cabin bag on top of the basic fare, often through bundles that include priority boarding and a bigger allowance. Charges for bags, seats and other extras have become a huge earner for airlines, bringing in billions from things that used to come free with a ticket. In some cases, adding a cabin bag can make a flight cost several times the original price.
Working out the true total can be tricky, too, as the cheapest bag prices shown in adverts are often hard to find when you actually book. Bundles that include luggage aren’t always good value either, so comparing the cost of each extra on its own can save money. Some travellers fear airlines may try to recover lost bag income in other ways, so keep an eye on the full price at checkout.
You can still travel light.
If you only ever fly with a small backpack, the new rules won’t force you to pay for something you don’t need. Airlines will be allowed to offer an opt-out, letting passengers choose not to take the second bag. Exactly how that will work, and whether it will knock anything off the ticket price, hasn’t been explained yet.
For now, the best approach is to check your airline’s luggage rules each time you book, as they can change with little warning. Measure your bags at home rather than guessing, since being caught at the gate with an oversized case can be expensive. And if you’re booking trips for late 2027, look out for updates from easyJet and Wizz Air before deciding which airline to fly with.
