But really now to not pay by plane there is only the mini backpack under the seat?

Una small bag or backpack that can be placed under the seat: this will be, and only this, the hand luggage that airlines will have to guarantee for free to each passenger, according to the latest proposal approved by the European Union Transport Council. Everything else – from the classic cabin trolley to the most voluminous luggage – can continue to be subject to additional costsas moreover, has been happening for some time with the main low cost airlines but also with the so -called “Legacy Carrier”.

In essence, the Community institutions do not impose a return to the gratuitousness of the “traditional” hand luggage – in fact, the trolley – but on the contrary they seem to accept the scorcitation of rates Practiced for years by vectors such as Ryanair, Easyjet or Wizz Air but to tell the truth of almost all of the skies market. Which in their basic rates show the inclusive prices of the only and notorious “small hand luggage” (a bag or backpack).

Transparency as (weak) counterpart

The official EU goal is to improve transparency for consumers: each passenger, at the time of booking, must be clearly informed on which services are included in the basic rate and which they involve a surcharge. No obligation, however, for airlines to include standard hand luggage nor do they seem to have been identified precise limits to the tariffs for accessory services.

The concrete risk is that the tired ticket becomes more and more a mirror for the larks, to which they inevitably add up to every concrete need, starting from the luggage that is intended to be placed in the hat. Fundamental for a stay that goes beyond 48 hours.

Still long process: no immediate changes

Despite the political approval by the EU Council, which brings together the competent ministers for the subject, The text has yet to go into the examination of the European Parliament. Only in the case of the green light and subsequent formal adoption can it enter into force, pending a total update of the air transport regulation. It is therefore a proposal that marks a direction but that will not produce immediate effects.

For travelers, it means that at least for this summer the current rules will continue to apply. No shocks, therefore, but not even a return to the past: the battle on which type of baggage must be part of the minimum rights guaranteed is far from concluded. In the meantime, the companies continue to do as they want.

More protections on compensation for delays, cancellations and overbooking

In addition to the baggage question, the proposed reform, however, also introduces important news regarding passengers’s rights in the event of disservices. If the regulation is approved, it will be easier to obtain compensation for delays, cancellations or overbooking. The new thresholds for the compensation for the Ratari will be however more severe Compared to the current regulation 261/2004: according to the draft the compensation – now insured three hours late – It will only start if the hours are 4 for flights up to 3,500 km and 6 for those of longer distance. Even in economic terms there will be changes: today those compensation are 300 euros for short and medium flights and 600 for others, this second parameter will drop to 500 euros.

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However, the right to reproductionthat is, the obligation for vectors to offer immediate alternative passengers in the event of cancellation or interruption of the flight, including flights from other alternative companies or means of transport. Also the so -called **No show ** It will be normed: if a passenger does not show up on the fly of the starting, in the case of a return ticket, and problems are made for those of return can ask for compensation. And the obligation to the airlines of provide assistance in case of unexpected events, guaranteeing meals, drinks and overnight staysproceeding with the landing in case of prolonged delay in aircraft with concluded boarding. Not only that: even those unpleasant errors in the personal data of ticketsthat many companies prevent them from modifying or at best submit to additional rate, they may be corrected free of charge up to 48 from the departure. As for complaints: 6 months available to forward them to the companies and 14 days to answer. A series of novelties designed to rebalance the relationships between travelers and companies, often not very transparent in managing critical situations.

A step back according to consumer associations

There was no lack of criticism. Beuc – the European Consumers Organization – judged the provision a step back compared to the protections sanctioned by previous judgments of the EU Court of Justicewhich recognized the hand luggage as an essential element of passenger transport and therefore to be included without tricks in the basic rate.

The Council’s decision, however, apparently follows another logic: that of the market, where competition between companies is increasingly played on the possibility of selling every service separately. With this ultra -blindist, the baggage becomes an accessory option and not a right.

What happens now

In the meantime, passengers must continue to pay attention to the travel conditions of each company. As already mentioned today, in most cases, the cheapest ticket allows you to bring only a backpack with you. The cabin trolley is now an option, with costs that may vary from 10 to 50 euros per treat, depending on the carrier, the period and the purchase moment. In short, the European draft seems to legitimize this practice, rather than contrast it. The real knot – if access to the hat is a service or a right – therefore remains unsolved.

The EU proposal does not change, at least for now, the operational scenario of the airlines. If approved in the coming months, it will make structural what has already been happening in the low cost world for some time: free baggage is only the one under the seat. The rest is paid. But, as a counterpart, (perhaps) lean protections will arrive (perhaps) in case of disservices. It remains to be seen if and how long it will take the process of the new regulation to end.