New Changes to Carry-On Rules in Europe

As of September 1, 2024, significant changes regarding carry-on luggage have come into effect at airports in the UK and EU countries. The main focus is on returning to the previous liquid restrictions for carry-on luggage, which had been somewhat relaxed in recent years. It was expected that airports would gradually transition to new scanning technologies that would allow liquids over 100ml to be carried, but technical difficulties have forced a reconsideration of these plans. As a result, travelers will once again need to adhere to the familiar restrictions on liquids, creams, and aerosols in containers no larger than 100ml. Many airports, including London, Rome, and Amsterdam, had already started testing new scanners, but problems with the accuracy of these machines led to a return to the old rules.

Rumors of New Carry-On Standards

Simultaneously, speculation has been growing among travelers regarding the possible introduction of standardized guidelines for the dimensions and weight limits of carry-on luggage throughout the European Union. It was rumored that from September 1, 2024, these new regulations would come into effect, permitting passengers to take one piece of hand luggage and a small personal item with a total maximum weight of 10 kilograms. Nevertheless, this information is inaccurate

In reality, the European Parliament only discussed the possibility of harmonizing carry-on luggage standards in October 2023 with the goal of improving consumer protection. In July 2024, the European Commission held a special workshop with representatives from major airlines like Ryanair, EasyJet, and British Airways, but no consensus on new standards was reached.

At present, each airline still independently sets its own rules regarding the number and size of carry-on items. For instance, budget airlines like Ryanair often tighten their regulations, and there is little expectation of significant changes in the near future. Travelers should continue to carefully review the specific airline's baggage rules before their trip to avoid any unpleasant surprises at the airport.

Overall, the return to strict liquid rules for carry-on luggage and the lack of unified standards across airlines create additional uncertainty for tourists. For now, airlines continue working to improve conditions for passengers, and we may see more flexible carry-on regulations in the coming years.