The European Parliament votes to allow airlines to carry on one extra piece of hand luggage free of charge.

BrusselsThe European Parliament continues to put pressure in member states To improve airline consumer rights. After national governments refused to concede to MEPs' demands, the European Parliament has again voted to require airlines to allow one extra piece of hand luggage free of charge and to maintain compensation for delays of three hours or more.

The European Parliament voted for European legislation that would require airlines to pay customers €300 for delays of more than three hours. If the flight exceeds 1,500 kilometers, the compensation should be €400, and if it exceeds 3,500 kilometers, €600. However, member states want consumers to be compensated with €300 if a flight of less than 3,500 kilometers is delayed by at least four hours – previously it was three hours. And, in the case of flights longer than 3,500 kilometers, the delay must be at least six hours to receive financial compensation, which could reach a maximum of 500 euros.

The European Parliament also wants passengers to be able to carry a small piece of hand luggage free of charge, and separately, a "personal item," such as a handbag, backpack, or laptop bag. Airlines would also be prohibited from charging for extra hand luggage that does not exceed 7 kilograms in weight, provided its length, width, and height do not exceed 100 cm. However, this would be a smaller suitcase than those typically allowed in the cabin by most airlines—mostly for a fee—which usually have a limit of 55 x 40 x 20 cm and a maximum weight of 10 kilograms.

Spain was one of the few member states that opposed the EU Council agreement to allow airlines to charge for hand luggage. However, the majority of national governments oppose this position, and the European Parliament will now have to renegotiate the regulations. It is common for the interests of national governments, which wield the most influence, to ultimately prevail in these kinds of discussions.