EasyJet has confirmed that the much-anticipated EU hand luggage reforms will not automatically grant UK-departing passengers an extra free cabin bag.
What’s changing under the new EU rules
From late 2027, air passenger rights across the EU will be overhauled for the first time since 2004, giving travellers on standard tickets two free items of hand luggage:
- A personal item (such as a small bag, handbag or backpack) up to around 40 x 30 x 15 cm, to go under the seat in front.
- A cabin bag for the overhead locker, up to 7 kg and with combined dimensions of 100 cm (length + width + height).
The European Parliament says the updated rules now explicitly include “the right to carry on board, without additional fee, one personal item” in addition to the under-seat bag already permitted.
Airlines will also be able to offer cheaper “no bag” fares for passengers who choose to travel with just the personal item, although exactly how that pricing will work has not yet been finalised.
Why UK outbound flights are excluded
The key detail for British travellers is jurisdiction: the new rules are an EU regulation, so they apply to:
- EU-registered airlines on all their flights; and
- Any airline operating from an EU airport.
EasyJet UK, which operates most easyJet flights departing from the UK, is not an EU airline. That means on outbound journeys from Britain, easyJet (like other UK carriers such as British Airways and Jet2) will not be legally required to include the extra cabin bag in the base fare.
However, when you fly back from an EU airport, even on easyJet UK, you will be departing from EU territory, so the new rules will apply and you’ll be entitled to both the personal item and the cabin bag without an additional fee, provided you’re on a standard ticket.
In practice, this could mean asymmetrical allowances on a single return trip: for example, no free overhead bag on the UK–Spain leg, but a free overhead bag on the Spain–UK leg.
When the rules will start
The legislation is expected to come into force in October 2027, but an exact start date has not yet been announced.
EasyJet told consumer group Which? that it is reviewing the new rules alongside other UK airlines in preparation for implementation, but has not confirmed specific bag dimensions or how it will structure fares under the new regime.
For now, easyJet’s current Standard fare allows one small cabin bag (up to 45 x 36 x 20 cm) under the seat; larger overhead bags are free only on higher fares or for certain members, otherwise they are paid extras.
