And for anyone confused about what actually changes, the difference is fairly simple.

At the moment, an easyJet basic fare includes one small bag for free. It can be a handbag, backpack or small trolley case measuring up to 45 x 36 x 20cm, but it has to fit underneath the seat in front of you.

If you also want to take a larger cabin bag to put in the overhead locker, you normally have to pay extra.

Under the new EU rules, passengers will be entitled to take a personal item for underneath the seat as well as an additional piece of cabin baggage without an extra charge.

The additional bag can weigh up to 7kg, with its length, width and height adding up to no more than 100cm.

So, in practical terms, a passenger could board with a handbag or small backpack under the seat and a second cabin bag without paying the additional baggage fee currently charged by airlines such as easyJet.

There is a catch for passengers travelling between Portugal and the UK.

Different rules on the same return trip

easyJet has confirmed that the increased allowance will apply to its flights departing from EU countries, but not to flights leaving the UK.

That means someone flying easyJet from London to Faro and back could eventually have different baggage allowances on each leg of exactly the same trip.

Flying from London to Faro, the passenger would continue to follow easyJet’s UK baggage rules and receive one small under-seat bag with a standard fare.

On the journey home from Faro, the flight would be departing from the EU. The passenger would therefore be entitled to the additional free cabin bag under the new European rules.

The same distinction is expected to apply to other British airlines, including British Airways and Jet2.

What easyJet allows now

Currently, every easyJet passenger can take one small cabin bag on board free of charge.

It can measure up to 45 x 36 x 20cm and weigh up to 15kg, although passengers must be able to lift and carry it themselves.

A second, larger cabin bag, measuring up to 56 x 45 x 25cm, generally costs extra unless it is included through the passenger’s fare or easyJet Plus membership.

Under the new EU rules, the additional free bag will have a maximum weight of 7kg and combined dimensions of 100cm.

That doesn’t necessarily mean passengers will be able to bring easyJet’s full-size 56 x 45 x 25cm cabin case for free. Those dimensions add up to 126cm, considerably more than the proposed 100cm allowance.

Passengers will therefore still need to pay attention to the size of the second bag they bring.

When does it start?

Nothing changes immediately.

easyJet says the new allowance is expected to begin applying from around October 2027 at the earliest and is reviewing what the legislation will mean for its baggage policies.

Until then, easyJet’s existing rules remain in place.

The baggage changes form part of a much wider overhaul of EU air passenger rights.

The new rules also strengthen protections around flight delays and compensation, make it easier for passengers to submit claims and give children under 14 the right to sit next to an accompanying adult without an additional seat fee.

Passengers who miss the outbound portion of a return booking will also retain the right to use the return flight.

But for anyone used to trying to squeeze everything into a backpack before boarding a low-cost flight from Portugal, the baggage change may be the one they notice most.

The easiest way to remember it is this: one bag under the seat is already free. The new rules add another, slightly larger cabin bag without an additional fee.

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