Ban carry-on fees?

Governments should fight wars and collect taxes. Its the only things they can do well. Otherwise let free enterprise, that survives by meeting the needs of the public, do its thing without interference. Interesting that the same proposal includes legislating the size of a carryon, but not at the current most popular size but smaller so many of us will have to buy new luggage.

Wizzair and Ryan offer fare structures that reduce the number of carry on bags and force flyers to use the underseat instead of filling the bins with things that should be underseat. And, essentially, their customers pay for the ability to have a carryon bag. They either pay buy buying it individually or by upgrading to a budle that includes it. I like only having to buy what I want. I've never had trouble finding room in the overhead of either airline so it must be working.

Science: For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. There’s always blow back somehow, somewhere.

I like to see long term predictability and stability. Tinkering always creates some confusion and stress.

In the USA, each airline sets its own fees and protocols and are subject to immediate changes.

The EU should not micromanage anything. When have EU council members worked on airlines and understand the specifics of each airline? Let the airplane companies, workers, and customers do what needs to be done.

If you are going to travel successfully in this day and age, you need to understand the "TT&L" that is a part of your ticket. Most tickets are now a basic price plus fees even sometimes in business class. When booking you need to sit down with your yellow tablet and see exactly what the fare entails. If a person doesn't like the price they can look into alternatives.

Isn’t Euronews that outfit supported by Orban with opaque funding? I can’t recall. There wouldn’t happen to be a bbc source on this? No matter!

Government regulations can be a burden or they can help improve markets. According to the Potsdam Institute of Airtravel Rating and Internet Travel Forum Rankings, this idea does indeed warrant more study since a lack of standards exists and pricing transparency is often a complaint.

What we all want is competitive, more efficient and fair markets and governments can play a role. the world needs refs!

Happy travels!

It is reasonable to expect that an airline ticket should include a baggage allowance.

I do think it is a ridiculous proposition to believe that when one does not want or does not take advantage of all of the available features of a ticket, that they're somehow subsidizing those that do.

Requirements for a NFL Ref

To become an NFL referee, you need a minimum of 10 years of officiating experience, including at least five years at the college varsity or professional level. Candidates must also demonstrate excellent physical fitness, a comprehensive knowledge of the rules, strong communication skills, and the ability to remain calm under pressure. The path typically involves working your way up from high school or youth leagues to college and then being selected for the NFL's officiating development programs.

Requirements to serve in EU Parliament

Be an EU citizen
Have a pulse

But let's not forget how the EU saved European culture by outlawing the Apple charging cable.

Airlines make a lot of money from baggage fees. Combined it's well into the billions of dollars annually.

If the EU passes this law, all it will mean is that airfares will go up. The size and weight allowance is low so most people will have to check a bag or pay extra to take a larger carry on.

Although some airlines are giving in somewhat. Ryanair increased the "free" bag size from 40 x 25 x 20 cm to 40 x 30 x 20 cm. The EU standard is 40 x 30 x 15.

Personally, I'd rather see free checked bags like in the past. Most people are not Rick Steves travelers and would prefer to check a bag if it didn't cost too much. With free checked bags, fewer people will take larger carry on bags meaning more room for those of us who do carry on only.

But the politicians have gotten involved which means nothing good will come from this.

@Mr. E,
Are you sure that citizenship and a pulse are required?
I like how many dead people manage to vote in the USA!

Otherwise let free enterprise, that survives by meeting the needs of the public

Note that I cannot buy toilet paper rolls that fit my 1960s era wall-mounted toilet paper dispensers at the supermarket or at Target. The only rolls that fit my dispensers that are for sale locally are at Costco. Free enterprise it NOT meeting my toilet paper roll size needs!

Toby,
On the contrary, Costco is. Monopoly situation for your toilet paper requirements.

BBC article from June:

The days of being charged additional fees for your hand luggage on
flights could soon be a thing of the past – at least in the European
Union. On 24 June, lawmakers voted in favour of a proposal allowing
passengers to bring a small carry-on bag weighing up to 7kg (15.4lbs)
on board their flight free of charge, even on budget airlines.

Under the new rule, travellers would be allowed to bring one cabin bag
measuring up to 100cm on board their flight, as well as an
under-the-seat personal item with a maximum size of 40x30x15cm at no
additional cost. The proposed law still requires approval from 55% of
EU member states, but if adopted following negotiations starting in
July 2025, the new rules would extend to all flights within the EU, as
well as routes to and from the EU.

"Today's vote marks an important step toward fairer and more
transparent travel," vice-chair of the EU Committee on Transport and
Tourism (TRAN) Matteo Ricci said in a press statement. "[It
introduces] concrete measures such as the clear definition of free
hand luggage … a fundamental right to avoid unjustified extra costs."

Previously, EU-based budget airlines like EasyJet, RyanAir, Wizz and
others often charged substantial fees for hand luggage, depending on
its size and weight. As a result, Spain's Consumer Rights Ministry
fined five budget airlines €179m (£149m) for what it deemed "abusive
practices" in November 2024. The Spanish ruling, along with pressure
from consumer rights associations and passengers, has paved the way
for the EU to push for what it considers fairer and more consistent
hand luggage rules.

The carry-on proposal is part of a larger effort by the European
Parliament to increase protections and rights for travellers. To
ensure that families can sit together without incurring additional
costs, lawmakers also voted to prohibit airlines from imposing seat
selection charges for children aged 12 and under.

One more reason to just take a train.

They should be allowed to split the spaces into section(s)....

If you mean putting a divider in the overhead bins, I doubt this is is a good solution, Dividers would actually decrease the space available and add weight, which is the last thing you want for an airplane.

On a side note, Toby, how are the Costco toilet paper rolls different than 'everything else' that they are the only ones that fit your holders?