Free cabin bags and stronger protections: What the EU's air passenger deal means for travellers

The EU has reached a deal to update air passenger rules, aiming to strengthen compensation for delayed flights and clarify carry-on luggage treatment. The agreement, reached in mid-June, comes after years of lobbying and follows a framework started in 2013, as the bloc’s rights had not been updated since 2004. In 2024, EU air travel reached 1.1 billion passengers, but a 2025 Euroconsumers survey found 90% of respondents want hand luggage included in the ticket price and many described current baggage policies as unclear or misleading. The deal consolidates key rights in law and is described as ending “unfair practices,” while compensation remains technically the same as before. Airlines may avoid payment if delays or schedule changes result from “extraordinary circumstances” that could not be avoided, and the International Air Transport Association argues travelers often prefer delays over cancellations.