{"id":184015,"date":"2026-02-05T14:00:25","date_gmt":"2026-02-05T14:00:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aviacionaldia.com\/?p=184015"},"modified":"2026-02-06T11:12:09","modified_gmt":"2026-02-06T11:12:09","slug":"brussels-court-ratifies-legality-of-ryanairs-cabin-baggage-policy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/aviacionaldia.com\/en\/2026\/02\/brussels-court-ratifies-legality-of-ryanairs-cabin-baggage-policy.html","title":{"rendered":"Brussels Court Ratifies Legality of Ryanair\u2019s Cabin Baggage Policy"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The Business Court of Brussels has issued a high-impact ruling for European commercial aviation by fully confirming the legality of Ryanair\u2019s<\/strong> cabin baggage policy. This decision aligns the airline’s practices with European Union legislation and the landmark Vueling judgment from the Court of Justice of the EU (CJEU).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The ruling not only clears up regulatory uncertainties in Belgium but also consolidates a judicial standard that supports the pricing models of low-cost carriers across the continent. This serves as a significant setback for the consumer organization Test Achats, which had challenged Ryanair\u2019s policy by arguing that the basic fare should include an additional piece of larger carry-on luggage for overhead bins.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Exactly the Court Ruled on Cabin Baggage<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The core of the ruling is technically precise: the court confirms that every Ryanair passenger has the right to carry one small bag under the seat free of charge, provided it is of reasonable size and weight, suitable for personal effects, and meets safety requirements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The judges explicitly rejected Test Achats’ interpretation that airlines are obligated to include an additional suitcase for the overhead locker in their basic fare. In the words of the court:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNeither Article 23 nor the Vueling case law requires an air carrier to accept, free of charge, hand luggage of a size larger than that authorized by Ryanair\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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This point is particularly relevant from a regulatory perspective, as it ratifies the commercial freedom of airlines to differentiate between essential baggage and optional, fee-based services.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Article 23 of Regulation 1008\/2008: Confirmed Interpretation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The court was explicit in stating that Ryanair complies with Article 23 of Regulation (EC) 1008\/2008, a key regulation regarding price transparency. According to the judgment:<\/p>\n\n\n\n