Hand luggage news: Easyjet, Wizz and Ryanair on their rules for 2027

Ryanair will allow extra hand luggage for passengers all Ryanair flights, while EasyJet and Wizz are undecided.

From 2027, the EU will introduce new laws entitling passengers d to both an underseat bag and cabin bag when you buy a standard ticket, with no added fees. However, because the rule is set by the European Commission, it only applies to: EU airlines, and airlines flying from EU airports. 

Many budget airlines have cashed in on bag fees in recent years, repeatedly reducing free allowances and raising the cost of a cabin bag. Which? Travel recently found that adding a cabin bag can quadruple the original cost of the fare. 

The EU’s new rules won’t come into effect until October 2027 at the earliest, and the start date is yet to be announced. Airlines will be able to decide what size of hand luggage bag they’ll allow alongside an underseat bag of 40cm x 30cm x 15cm.

We reached out to the UK’s three major budget airlines — Wizz, Ryanair and Easyjet — to ask how, and when they’d adopt the new rules. 

What did easyJet say?

When we asked when new policies will be introduced, and what size hand luggage would be permitted, EasyJet told us it is currently reviewing in preparation for when new EU rules become effective. It originally told Which? ‘there are no changes to UK rules’, which indicated that it would not allow extra hand luggage for travellers departing from UK airports. But it subsequently contacted Which? to clarify that no decision has yet been made to its policy for UK flights. 

Most EasyJet flights from the UK are operated by EasyJet UK, which is not an EU airline, so not subject to the new rules on outbound flights. EasyJet also operates EasyJet Europe, which will have to follow new EU rules. 

What did Ryanair say?

Ryanair told us it will adopt changes from October 2027, and that the upper size that Ryanair will apply to the second piece of hand luggage will remain  55cm x 40cm x 20cm and 10kg. It said these changes would apply to all passengers on all Ryanair flights. 

What did Wizz say?

Wizz Air told us: 'Wizz Air will comply fully with the new requirements once they come into force. While the EU institutions have reached an agreement, the legislation has not yet been formally published, meaning it is too early to confirm the precise changes to our hand luggage policy. We will use the transition period ahead of the expected implementation in late 2027 to prepare for the new requirements and provide customers with further details in due course.'

Most Wizz Air flights from the UK are operated by the UK-registered Wizz Air UK, which would not be covered by EU rules on outbound flights.

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What other new rules will be introduced in 2027?

Other new rules brought in to strengthen travellers’ rights include:

• A ban on extra fees for correcting misspellings on plane tickets. 
• Passengers will be entitled to take their return flight even if they missed their outward flight. 
• Passengers with reduced mobility or disabilities will be entitled to compensation and rerouting if they miss their flight due to airport staff failing to get them to the gate on time. 
• New rules that ensure under-12s will be seated near an adult travelling with them, banning airlines from charging extra. 

Buying new hand luggage? Choose a bag that will last and fit your airline’s specifications with our guide to the best cabin bags

Will flight fares become more expensive?

Most passengers already pay for hand luggage on top of a base plane fare anyway (such as buying Ryanair’s Priority & Two Bags package).  because these are not included in the base fare of many budget airlines, like Ryanair, Wizz Air and easyJet

Fees from bags, as well as seats and other extras, are increasingly as important to airlines as the fare, as they now make billions from charging extra for things that were once included in your ticket.

It has become increasingly confusing for passengers to find out the total cost of their fare because bag fees have become so opaque. A recent Which? investigation looked at the prices of 1,500 cabin bags across Ryanair, Wizz Air and easyJet and found the lowest-advertised price was almost never available. As a result, the Advertising Standards Authority took action against easyJet.

Budget airlines also push different bundles that include bags but are often poor value for money. Which? regularly recommends passengers ignore the bundles Ryanair recommends to customers.  

What if I don’t want extra hand luggage?

You’ll still be able to travel light. The new rules allow airlines to have an ‘opt-out’, meaning travellers can choose not to book and pay for a second bag.

It’s not yet clear how this will operate.