EU plans free hand luggage and higher compensation!

EU plans free hand luggage and higher compensation!

The aviation industry is facing crucial changes that are particularly important for travelers. The European Parliament has worked hard to protect air passenger rights in recent months. In particular, work is currently being carried out on a reform that affects the regulations on hand luggage and compensation for flight delays.

With a clear commitment to the rights of passengers, the Committee on Transport and Tourism of the European Parliament (TRAN) pushed forward the revision of the EU Air Passenger Rights Regulation on October 13, 2025. This is confirmed by Aviation Direct, according to which the 3-hour rule for compensation should be retained. This rule states that passengers are entitled to compensation for delays of three hours or more. The TRAN Committee rejects the EU Council's proposals to increase the thresholds to four to six hours.

New hand luggage regulations in focus

A central aim of the reform is the introduction of a right to free hand luggage. The current regulations will be significantly simplified: In the future, passengers will be allowed to take one personal item and one small piece of hand luggage with a maximum weight of 7 kg and a maximum size of 100 cm (sum of the edge lengths) with them at no extra charge. This would end the fee chaos at many airlines, which is particularly attributed to low-cost carriers. DMM Travel reports that this innovation not only benefits passengers, but also simplifies the booking processes for companies.

The parliamentary committee voted unanimously to maintain this regulation in order to offer travelers a transparent and uniform hand luggage rule. This attitude reflects the aim of harmonizing the rights of passengers internationally and thus strengthening the rights of consumers.

Compensation claims under the microscope

Another central point of the reform is the increase in compensation amounts for delayed flights. While 250 euros were previously due for compensation for short-haul flights, this amount is now to rise to 300 euros. For medium-long distances between 1,500 and 3,500 km, the compensation will be increased from 400 euros to 600 euros. As the EU Council calls for higher thresholds for compensation, consumer advocates warn of a possible disadvantage for consumers because airlines argue that abuse could result in increased costs.

In order to give companies an overview of possible claims, it is recommended to systematically record compensation claims. In particular, if there are 500 business flights per year with 8% delays, companies could claim back up to 16,000 euros annually. Many people responsible in companies are therefore called upon to deal intensively with the new legal situation and to develop appropriate strategies.

However, the reform will not be implemented overnight. DMM Travel reports that the agreement between Parliament, the Council and the Commission is expected by mid-2026 and that there will be a transition period of 12 to 24 months after adoption. Mobility managers probably still have time to prepare for these changes.

Overall, it shows that efforts to harmonize air passenger rights can benefit both passengers and companies. It remains to be seen how the negotiations will develop and which aspects will ultimately be incorporated into the new regulation.