Travelers in Portugal are advocating for a standardized luggage size to streamline transportation and ease travel complications.
EU Aviation Regulations Address Consumer Concerns, but Calls for More Transparency Remain
A new survey reveals that an overwhelming 94% of Portuguese consumers are calling for uniform rules for all airlines regarding carry-on baggage fees. This demand comes as the European Union is currently revising its regulations on air passenger care, aiming to improve transparency and fairness for travellers.
The current regulations, such as EU Regulation 261/2004 and related laws, protect passengers against flight delays, cancellations, and denied boarding, requiring airlines to compensate passengers financially when disruptions exceed specified thresholds. However, the regulation does not explicitly regulate carry-on baggage fees.
The proposed revisions, adopted in 2025, aim to simplify and clarify passenger rights while balancing protection with airline sustainability. The new rules extend compensation to passengers informed less than 14 days before cancellation and require airlines to provide pre-filled compensation claim forms.
However, the proposed changes have faced criticism for weakening some rights, particularly the reduction in some compensation levels and stricter claim conditions. Consumer advocates argue that these changes may undermine protections valued by travellers in Portugal and across the EU.
Despite the limitations, the evolving EU framework aims to promote clarity and passenger empowerment with mandatory information provision and easier compensation processes. This should help Portugal customers better understand airline policies and enforce their rights.
One area of concern for Portuguese consumers is the lack of clear fee disclosure for carry-on baggage. A survey found that 70% of Portuguese respondents perceive that airlines use baggage fees to deceive consumers and increase profits. Moreover, many Portuguese passengers feel that airlines do not clearly disclose carry-on baggage fees during the booking process.
The survey results are not unique to Portugal, with similar findings in other European countries, highlighting a widespread problem. As a result, there is an urgent need for greater transparency and regulation in carry-on baggage policies to protect consumer rights.
A fairer and more predictable travel experience is what Portuguese consumers are calling for. European Union authorities are being urged to ensure that carry-on baggage rules are clear, standardized, and fair for all passengers. In fact, 95% of Portuguese consumers call on European Union authorities to clarify and standardize the rules regarding carry-on baggage fees.
Consumer organizations, such as DECO PROteste, are also playing a crucial role in addressing these concerns. A significant 77% of Portuguese consumers believe that consumer organizations should act against airlines that charge carry-on baggage fees.
In summary, while the EU aviation regulations are enforcing and updating rules on passenger compensation and care to improve transparency and fairness, calls for more explicit regulation of carry-on baggage fees remain. An overwhelming majority (85%) of Portuguese consumers believe that carry-on baggage should be included in the ticket price. In the past two years, 38% of Portuguese travellers had their carry-on luggage moved to the aircraft hold due to insufficient cabin space. This underscores the need for greater regulation in carry-on baggage policies to ensure fairness for all passengers.
- Despite the EU revising regulations on air passenger care to improve transparency, an overwhelming majority of Portuguese consumers continue to express concerns about the lack of uniform rules for carry-on baggage fees, which they view as a deceptive practice used by airlines.
- European Union authorities are being urged to standardize and clarify the rules regarding carry-on baggage fees, aligning with the demand of 85% of Portuguese consumers who believe that carriers should include this service in the ticket price.
