The EU will oblige airlines to show the price with the carry-on luggage included

BrusselsThe European Union has agreed to oblige airlines to show the prices of flights they offer with a carry-on suitcase included. And in case the consumer does not want to bring one, it will be deducted from the final bill. In this way, the European bloc wants to improve transparency and facilitate price comparison, and prevent consumers from finding themselves being charged a substantial amount of money to add a carry-on suitcase. As for backpacks or handbags that fit under the front seat – with a maximum size of 40x30x15 cm – they will continue to be free.

Sources present at the negotiations between the Council of the EU – the community body representing member states – and the European Parliament have explained that this measure has been agreed upon after noting that there are airlines – especially low-cost ones, like Ryanair – that take advantage of not showing the price of carry-on suitcases so that their offers appear more competitive than they are, and end up charging the consumer more than it seemed.

This is one of the most delicate negotiations of the European Union in recent years. The European Commission presented the first legislative proposal to reform passenger rights regulations in 2013, and it was not until this Friday that there has been a preliminary agreement, which is expected to be definitively ratified next Monday. The division has not only been significant between the European Parliament and the European Council, but also among the member states themselves.

Some states, like Spain and Germany, wanted to increase passenger rights and, among other issues, have carry-on luggage be directly free. This is why the Spanish government ended up voting against it and the agreement was finally approved by a qualified majority; that is, with at least the support of 55% of the member states representing more than 65% of the demographic weight of the European Union.

Finally, both the European Parliament and the majority of state governments wanted to accelerate negotiations in recent days to avoid having to negotiate during the EU Council presidency that Ireland will hold next semester. Diplomatic sources admit that if negotiations had had to take place under the Irish presidency, discussions could have stalled again, as Dublin usually defends the interests of one of the airlines that will be most affected by the new regulation, the Irish Ryanair.

Compensation after three hours of delay

Another of the most delicate points in the negotiations between member states and the European Parliament has been to set from how many hours of delay airlines will have to compensate consumers. The state governments – also with the opposition of the Spanish government – wanted it to be from four hours, whereas the European Parliament wanted to maintain it as until now, after three hours.

Finally, the European Parliament has had its way and compensation will range between 250 and 600 euros depending on the flight distance and the hours of delay. "The European Parliament promised passengers that their rights would not be rolled back and we have not given up. Today's decision confirms this. The 3-hour limit and compensation are maintained," tweeted the MEP from the European People's Party (EPP) Andrey Novakov in a social media post.

On the other hand, state governments and the European Parliament have agreed to prohibit airlines from charging an extra fee for parents or legal guardians to sit next to minors and caregivers of dependent persons.