Brussels, 02 July 2025 – Airlines for Europe (A4E) today confirmed that its member airlines have started applying the guaranteed set of dimensions of 40 × 30 × 15 cm for the item of cabin baggage that usually is placed under the seat in front- the “personal item”- agreed by member states last month.

The agreement reached on 5 June 2025, sets out the dimensions of the personal item, which passengers can already bring into the cabin at no extra cost. It is defined as an unchecked bag with  “dimensions of 40 × 30 × 15 cm ”.

All A4E airlines will roll out the guaranteed dimensions and have them in place by the end of the 2025 summer season. Carriers will continue to permit larger personal items at their discretion, as is already the case for many A4E airlines today. Standardising cabin-bag sizes has been on the Brussels agenda for years, most recently at the request of former Transport Commissioner Adina Vălean. The Member-State decision now gives passengers certainty: one bag measuring up to 40 × 30 × 15 cm can be brought into the cabin.

“This will align A4E members with the decision of member states made last month and bring more clarity to passengers across Europe,” said Ourania Georgoutsakou, Managing Director of A4E. “From city-hoppers to family travellers, everyone will benefit from the same clear rule across our members’ networks.”

Notes to Editor

• A4E members are agreeing to implement the dimensions agreed by member states at the meeting of transport ministers on 5 June https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/meetings/tte/2025/06/05/
• The agreement is part of an overall package on passenger rights (EU261) and brings a clear definition of what can be brought on board for free as part of the fare.
• The Council decision accepts that airlines face operational realities that can impact on the ability of passengers to take baggage on board including aircraft type, space in the cabin etc.

ENDS

Media Contact:

Kevin Hiney, Communications Director
Email: kevin.hiney@a4e.eu

About Us: 

Airlines for Europe (A4E) is Europe’s largest airline association. Based in Brussels, A4E works with policymakers to ensure aviation policy continues to connect Europeans with the world in a safe, competitive and sustainable manner. With a modern fleet of over 3,700 aircraft, A4E airlines carried over 771 million passengers in 2024 and served nearly 2,800 destinations across Europe and the wider world. Each year, A4E members transport more than 54 million tonnes of vital goods and equipment either by freighters or passenger aircraft.