In recent weeks, numerous headlines have announced a significant change in flights across Europe: free carry-on luggage for every passenger. For those accustomed to paying extra euros for carry-on baggage with low-cost airlines, this appears to be major news. However, the reality is slightly different. The European Union indeed approved a significant reform in air passenger rights in July 2026, which includes new rules regarding carry-on luggage. But despite the original proposal from the European Parliament, the law that was eventually approved does not require airlines to allow every passenger to take a 7 kg trolley for free.
So what is actually changing?
Where did the talk of free trolleys come from?
During the discussions on the reform, the European Parliament demanded that every passenger be allowed to board the plane without charge with two items: a small personal item that fits under the seat, and additionally, a carry-on item weighing up to 7 kg with cumulative dimensions of up to 100 cm. If this proposal had been included in the final text, it would have been a particularly dramatic change for passengers of low-cost airlines, where the cheapest fare currently usually includes only a small bag. But during negotiations between EU institutions, the wording changed.
So what was actually approved?
According to the final wording, airlines will need to allow passengers to take a small personal item into the cabin at no extra charge. This refers to items such as a handbag or a small backpack, with dimensions up to 40×30×15 cm or one that can be safely stored under the seat in front of the passenger.
And what about trolleys?
Here lies the important difference. The new law does not stipulate that every flight ticket must include a free trolley. Instead, it establishes new transparency rules intended to help passengers understand the true cost of their flight.
The major change will appear already during flight search
Under the new rules, before starting the booking process, airlines will need to display by default a flight price that includes carry-on luggage. The goal is to allow passengers to better compare airline prices, rather than discovering only in the advanced stages of booking that the price they initially saw does not include the carry-on they need. However, the airline can still offer a cheaper fare that does not include carry-on luggage if the passenger does not want it. In simple terms: Europe has not made the trolley free – but it wants to make it much harder to hide the true cost from the passenger.
So what is changing in the trolley price?
Here comes one of the most interesting changes in the reform.
When an airline, booking site, or search engine displays flight prices, they will need to show by default, even before the booking process begins, the total flight price including carry-on luggage.
The goal is to enable passengers to compare the actual prices of airlines more clearly.
Currently, a passenger may see a very low-priced flight, start the booking process, and only later discover that adding a carry-on significantly increases the ticket cost.
According to the new regulations, the total price including hand luggage must be displayed upfront as the default.
However, the airline can still offer a cheaper price for passengers who choose to fly without a trolley.
And what does this mean for Ryanair, Wizz Air, and easyJet?
This is the part that will particularly interest Israelis flying with low-cost airlines.
The model where a basic ticket includes only a small bag is not necessarily going to disappear. Airlines will still be able to sell tickets that do not include a trolley.
Therefore, a passenger booking the cheapest fare should not assume that due to the new law, they will be able to reach the boarding gate with a trolley free of charge.
The main change is in how prices are presented to passengers and the right to a small personal item.
And no – the change is not yet in effect
It’s important to note this as well.
The European Council gave its final approval for the new passenger rights reform on July 13, 2026.
However, the new rules do not take effect immediately. According to the European Council, the reform will come into effect 12 months and 20 days after its publication in the official records of the European Union.
This means that those flying to Europe now still need to check the baggage terms of the airline and the specific ticket purchased, and not rely on publications claiming “Europe approved free trolleys.”
And there are more significant changes on the way
The approved reform does not only address hand luggage.
Among other things, it was determined that an airline cannot deny a passenger their return flight simply because they did not use the outbound flight – a phenomenon known as “No-show.”
Additionally, enhanced rights have been established for passengers with disabilities or reduced mobility, children, unaccompanied minors, and pregnant women.
In terms of delays, cancellations, passenger assistance, and alternative flights, clearer rules are also expected.
Bottom line: Free trolley or not?
No.
Contrary to headlines circulating online, the European Union has not approved that every passenger will receive a 7 kg trolley for free.
This proposal was indeed on the table and even received support from the European Parliament, but it did not make it into the final agreement.
What was approved is the right to a small personal item at no charge and new rules for displaying prices that include hand luggage, so that passengers can understand and compare the true cost of the flight more clearly.
For passengers on low-cost airlines, this is certainly an important development – but at least for now, it’s still too early to say goodbye to the additional charge for the trolley.
Click here to find the most affordable flight Flight Hunter Click here to join the Flight Hunter WhatsApp group
