Hand Luggage 2027 EU Law | 40x30x 15-20 cm Rules Explaine

EU Law 2027

Ready for every flight. Now and in 2027.

Why the FRENKY flies free even with the strictest carriers

Good news: free hand luggage that fits under the seat is becoming official EU law. A nice win for travellers. And with a FRENKY on your back or as a trolley in your hand, you board without baggage stress either way. Here's why.

In short Transavia, Ryanair and Eurowings accept 40×30×20 cm. KLM and Lufthansa require 40×30×15 cm. The FRENKY adapts to both standards with ease.

The news

What the new law changes (and what it doesn't)

After years of negotiation, it's finally settled. The EU is permanently establishing that a bag or trolley under the seat as a personal item is always free. Airlines will no longer be able to make up their own arbitrary rules for this.

Brussels sets a depth of 15 cm as the hard floor. In practice, the field is already split: the big budget carriers like Transavia, Ryanair and Eurowings are relaxed and accept a more generous depth of 20 cm. A handful of traditional airlines like KLM and Lufthansa stick to the stricter 15 cm depth limit.

What stays the same: if your bag is larger than what the airline allows, you still risk that frustrating €30 to €70 surcharge at the gate. Which is exactly why you want a bag that's flexible.

FRENKY Underseater — free hand luggage under the seat at Transavia, Ryanair and Eurowings

Under every seat, the same story: the right size decides whether you board for free.

The logic

The big players versus the exceptions

Transavia, Ryanair, Wizz Air, Vueling, Eurowings, TUI fly

40×30×20 cm

The most common size for free hand luggage under the seat. Strict checks with sizers at boarding.

FRENKY fits, no question ✔

KLM, Lufthansa

40×30×15 cm

The stricter depth limit these carriers apply to the personal item. With the buckles on the FRENKY trolley and backpack, you shrink it from 20 to 15 cm in seconds.

FRENKY fits perfectly ✔ (with buckles)

This is exactly why the FRENKY is built differently. Not locked to one format, but smartly designed for both.

FRENKY underseater bag placed under the seat in an airplane cabin, approved as a free personal item for Transavia, Wizz Air and Eurowings

Fits guaranteed under the seat — no doubt at the gate, just board.

Smart design

Adjustable buckles, two sizes

By default, the FRENKY Underseater measures 40×30×20 cm — perfect for your flight with Transavia or Ryanair. Flying with KLM or Lufthansa? Pull the integrated buckles on the side and the bag immediately shrinks to exactly 15 cm depth. No hassle, maximum packing space.

The solution

One bag. Two configurations.

FRENKY adjustable buckles on the side of the backpack FRENKY compression straps that shrink the bag to the right size

Variable volume

The FRENKY gives you the freedom to adjust your bag to whatever your flight requires.

  • 20 cm depth: for Transavia, Ryanair, Wizz Air, Vueling, Norwegian, Eurowings and TUI fly, among others.
  • 15 cm depth: specifically for KLM and Lufthansa, among others.
  • Fully adjustable: adapt the volume whenever your trip calls for it.

Comparison

Is your current bag ready for the gate?

Your travel bag Transavia / Ryanair / Eurowings KLM / Lufthansa
FRENKY Underseater (adjustable) Dual-size ✔ Always fits ✔ Fits perfectly (with buckles)
Fixed bag (40×30×20 cm) ✔ Fits ✖ Too deep for the sizer
Standard cabin bag (> 20 cm) ✖ Risk of gate surcharge ✖ Risk of gate surcharge

Most airlines accept 40×30×20 cm as free hand luggage. KLM and Lufthansa apply the stricter 40×30×15 cm. The FRENKY adapts to both standards with ease.

Travel smart, on your terms

One design. Every standard.

Whether your next trip is with Transavia at 40×30×20 cm, or with KLM at the more compact 15 cm depth limit — the FRENKY adapts. No more baggage worries when booking your ticket.

Shop the FRENKY collection →

Frequently asked questions

Everything you need to know

What's changing with the hand luggage rules?

The right to a free bag under the seat is becoming a legal requirement across the EU. Many airlines already offer this based on 40×30×20 cm. The new law ensures airlines can no longer simply scrap or change this right.

Is the FRENKY ready for the new legislation?

Absolutely. Where other bags are locked to one fixed format, the FRENKY switches effortlessly between 20 cm and 15 cm depth thanks to the buckle compression system.

Does the FRENKY fit within KLM and Lufthansa's rules?

Yes. KLM and Lufthansa apply a maximum depth of 15 cm for the personal item. By pulling the side buckles tighter, the bag matches these rules exactly within seconds.

When do the new EU rules take effect?

The political agreement is settled. The new hand luggage guidelines are expected to be phased in by airlines during 2027.

Two sizes. One bag.

The FRENKY Underseater — flexibly adjustable from 40×30×20 to 40×30×15 cm.

Shop the collection

Source: Euronews, Executive Traveller, KLM.com, Lufthansa.com, Eurowings.com — June 2026. The agreement is still being formally finalised by the European Parliament.