In an effort to make it easier to compare prices ahead of booking tickets, airlines would be required to show fares which already include the cost of travelling with a standard cabin bag.

The proposal still needs approval from the European Parliament, but if the law is passed, airlines operating within the European Union will be obliged to change how they display their fares, according to Euro Weekly News.

Included cost

The proposal does not grant passengers the right to free hand luggage, and airlines will still be able to charge for cabin bags, while continuing to offer cheaper fares for passengers travelling only with hand luggage.

The difference lies in how the initial price is shown to travellers. All flight tickets will automatically have to include the cost of travelling with a standard cabin bag.

Transparent booking

European officials argue that the purpose of the proposed new laws is not to dictate how airlines price their services, but to make pricing more transparent for the traveller.

Currently, airlines might advertise similar routes at different prices, only for the baggage fees to drastically change the advertised price later in the booking process. The new law would give passengers a clearer picture of the final ticket price from the start.

Passenger rights

In addition, the proposal also gives families travelling together stronger protections in choosing their seats. As an example, airlines would be prohibited from charging extra for parents who want to ensure that their children sit with them during a flight.

Families would also have the right to take pushchairs directly to the aircraft door, making travelling with younger children easier, Euro Weekly News reports.

Charging unreasonable fees for correcting minor errors, such as spelling mistakes in a passenger’s name, would also be prohibited.

Continued compensation

The new proposal does not change passengers’ right to compensation for delayed flights, and passengers will still be entitled to compensation ranging from 250 euros to 600 euros if the delay exceeds the thresholds established under existing EU law.

The passenger rights legislation has been discussed in the EU for more than a decade, and should the European Parliament give its approval, airlines will be given a year to adapt their systems to the new legislation.