EasyJet retains more generous personal item policy despite EU cabin bag standardization
The announcement comes in the wake of the Airlines for Europe (A4E) initiative to harmonize hand luggage policies among member airlines, aiming to reduce confusion for travelers.
Despite a newly agreed standard for cabin baggage sizes across European airlines, easyJet has confirmed it will continue allowing passengers to bring a more generous personal item on board free of charge.
On July 8, easyJet stated that it would maintain its current personal item allowance: a cabin bag measuring up to 45 x 36 x 20 cm (including handles and wheels) and weighing up to 15 kg. This size exceeds the new A4E standard, which limits personal items to 40 x 30 x 15 cm.
What does the A4E agreement mean?
The A4E initiative establishes a minimum standard for cabin personal items — the small bags that passengers can place under the seat in front of them, typically allowed free of charge. This new guideline is expected to come into force across member airlines by the end of summer 2025.
Participating airlines include TAP Air Portugal, Lufthansa, Air France, KLM, and easyJet, all of which operate in the Portuguese market. Under this unified approach, passengers will be entitled to carry one personal item per person at no extra cost, with the dimensions capped at 40 x 30 x 15 cm.
However, easyJet is going beyond the minimum requirement, continuing to offer passengers extra flexibility — a move likely to be welcomed by frequent travelers and those flying with bulkier personal items such as backpacks or larger handbags.
A win fort transparency and traveler convenience
The broader industry move toward uniform baggage rules is seen as a response to ongoing passenger complaints about inconsistent and confusing cabin bag policies across different airlines. By maintaining a more spacious baggage allowance, easyJet is positioning itself as a customer-friendly choice within a shifting regulatory landscape.
Passengers flying with easyJet can continue to enjoy a more relaxed baggage policy, knowing they can bring a more substantial personal item on board without unexpected charges — a small but meaningful detail in the modern air travel experience.