Revamped Flight Rights: Gearing Up for Free Carry-On Luggage on Flights? Parliament Hurls Proposals
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Brace yourself, travelers! The European Parliament is trying to shake things up, advocating for passengers’ right to free carry-on luggage. A battle cry has echoed across the transport committee—a majority in favor—letting passengers bring two humble pieces of luggage onboard without breaking the bank. They envision a joyous future where you can take one dainty piece such as a handbag, backpack, or laptop (maximum length, width, and height of 40x30x15 cm), plus one more compact carry-on bag (not over 46 cm in height, and a total of all dimensions not exceeding 100 cm). And there's extra room for the little ones too, as they foresee children under 12 safely seated next to their guardian without extra charges. Yet, these changes are up for grabs in a compromise yet to be reached with the EU states.
EU states want to dim the lights before turning on the compensation
Why all the buzz, you ask? Well, the stage is set for a revamp of the existing passenger rights regulations, debating new guidelines for compensation in case of delays. Earlier this month, the EU states, stubbornly standing ground against Germany, agreed on passengers receiving compensation only after a delay of four hours on flights up to 3,500 km. For longer flights, six hours would be the magic number. The EU states' settlement implies compensation of €300 or €500 in the future.
As it stands, passengers are awarded compensation after delays of three hours or more, assuming the airline is responsible. Here's the math:
- €250 for flights up to 1,500 km
- €400 for flights up to 3,500 km
- €600 for long-haul flights over 3,500 km
Rebellion in the EU Parliament
Hang tight, because the heads of the European Parliament are raising their pitchforks against the EU states' position. Jan-Christoph Oetjen, an MEP and lead negotiator of the parliament, has drawn a clear line against deviating from the three-hour rule.
Vivien Costanzo, transport spokesperson for the S&D group in the European Parliament, finds it completely unacceptable to weaken compensation rules. Jens Gieseke, her CDU colleague, claims that the parliament sets solid and fair obligations for carriers.
Oetjen predicts a showdown with the EU states in October, hoping to wrap up the negotiations before Christmas or early next year.
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The brewing struggle in the EU involves the overhaul of flight delay compensation regulations and the introduction of new carry-on luggage policies, with significant changes in play and ongoing negotiations between the EU member states and the European Parliament.
Modern Rules: When Delay Meets Compensation and Carry-On Luggage
- Flight Delay Compensation: At present, the EU's requirements (EU261/2004) stipulate compensation for passengers delayed due to airlines’ fault of up to €600 for flights within Europe or for longer distances, with specific thresholds based on the flight distance. Although airlines are expected to inform passengers of their rights, enforcement and awareness have generally been difficult to achieve.
- Free Carry-On Luggage: The EU regulations do not require airlines to consistently offer free carry-on luggage, as airlines vary their policies regarding free carry-ons, often based on ticket type and airline policy.
Fresh Proposals: AnSwers to the Delay and SenSe of Order
- Delay Thresholds for Compensation: The EU mulls raising the delay thresholds needed to claim compensation from the current three hours to:
- Four hours for short and medium-haul flights up to 3,500 kilometers,
- Six hours for long-haul flights exceeding 3,500 kilometers.
- Compensation Amounts: New compensation payouts are proposed to be lower than the current scheme:
- A maximum of €300 for delays beyond four hours on short/medium-haul flights,
- €500 for delays beyond six hours on long-haul flights.
- Impact on Passengers: Plenty of travelers who meet the criteria for present compensation after delays of three hours could be affected, as the minimum wait time for reimbursements is markedly increased. Notably, passengers of budget airlines like Ryanair, EasyJet, TUI, and Jet2 will no longer qualify for compensation for delays between three and four hours[2][3][5].
- Carry-On Luggage Policies: Details on improvements to free carry-on luggage policies remain scarce; the focus of the reforms thus far has dwelled on delay compensation and cancellation policies.
- The revamped EU proposals aim to introduce free carry-on luggage for passengers, enabling them to bring two pieces of luggage onboard without extra costs, provided the dimensions adhere to certain specifications.
- As part of the ongoing negotiations between EU member states and the European Parliament, a potential agreement may see changes to the existing carry-on luggage policies, aligning with the vision of a more traveler-friendly aviation landscape.
