The European Parliament’s Transport Committee has backed a two-bag standard that, once passed by the Council, will let every traveller carry one under-seat item (40 × 30 × 15 cm) and one piece of hand luggage up to 7 kg whose height + width + depth is no more than 100 cm. Extra fees for either will disappear. Although July 2025 is the earliest possible start date, airlines are already adjusting.
Below are six bags that meet – or cleverly work with – the new limit. The selection balances hard cases, soft hold-alls and stylish totes, proving that compliance needn’t mean compromise.
Mandarina Duck Duffle Bag – the soft all-rounder
Size: 40 × 25 × 20 cm (85 cm total) Weight: 0.87 kg
A supple nylon shell lets this duffle expand for souvenirs yet squash into sizer cages when every millimetre counts. The 40 cm length leaves 15 cm spare on the linear rule, so even a thick jumper won’t push you over.
Shop the Mandarina Duck Duffle Bag now.
Piquadro 15.6″ Laptop Backpack – tech-friendly and rule-proof
Size: 45 × 31 × 12 cm (88 cm)
The separate EVA-padded laptop pocket zips flat for security scans, while the 18-litre main compartment swallows a week’s worth of lightweight clothing. At 88 cm it clears the 100 cm bar with room to spare, making it a safe choice for digital nomads who cannot risk a gate-check.
Explore the Piquadro 15.6″ Laptop Backpack here.
Ted Baker Seacon Small Icon – the under-seat style piece
Size: 26 × 25 × 11 cm (62 cm)
Structured handles, gloss finish and a subtle vinyl croc texture turn cabin compliance into a fashion statement. It slots neatly under the seat and holds headphones, passport, chargers and a 10″ tablet. Fans of Ted Baker Cyprus will be pleased to know the full palette is stocked locally.
View the Ted Baker Seacon Small Icon on our website.
Lancaster Paris Tote – quiet luxury for documents and tablets
Size: 35 x 30 x 14 cm (79 cm)
Grained leather, a zip top and internal organiser pockets make this tote ideal for travellers who prefer a softer silhouette than a briefcase. It also doubles as an everyday Ted Baker handbag substitute once you land, avoiding the need for an extra personal bag.
See the Lancaster Paris Tote in our collection.
Pegasus TeRock 19″ Small Cabin Case – the mini spinner
Nominally a trolley, the 19-inch TeRock is several centimetres shorter than standard 55 cm cases, and typical measurements (around 48 × 34 × 18 cm) keep it right on the 100 cm threshold. Four double wheels and a recessed TSA lock bring big-suitcase features to a form factor future rules will favour.
Shop the Pegasus TeRock 19″ Small Cabin Case now.
Delsey EGOA 45 cm Cabin Duffel – capacity without corners
Size: 34 × 45 × 25 cm (104 cm) Weight: 0.76 kg
Yes, the maths lands four centimetres over, but this cotton-canvas hold-all compresses effortlessly, and the low 760 g tare weight leaves nearly the full 7 kg for contents. Pack it sensibly and it will mould to the sizer while rival hardshells are being gate-checked.
Discover the Delsey EGOA 45 cm Cabin Duffel here.
Packing notes
Work the pair: keep valuables and inflight needs in your under-seat bag; stow clothing overhead. If lockers fill up, only the overhead piece is gate-checked, and under EU rules that transfer must be free.
Mind the kilos: a rigid case eats half a kilo in wheels and handles. Every soft option above weighs under 1 kg except the TeRock, leaving more of the 7 kg quota for your things.
Solid over liquid: shampoo bars, toothpaste tabs and laundry leaves shrink your 100 ml liquids bag and save weight.
Layer up: wear the heaviest shoes and coat to the airport; they’re never weighed.
Final word
With regulation heading towards a single, transparent allowance, choosing the right luggage now will spare headaches later. Yiannakou’s mix of pragmatic spinners, lightweight duffels and fashion-forward pieces such as the Ted Baker tote bag shows that meeting the 100 cm rule doesn’t preclude personality. Whether you lean towards minimalist nylon or the polished finish of Ted Baker bags for women, the key is simple maths: measure once, pack light, and your bag will glide through every European gate fee-free.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. When will the EU hand-luggage standard apply, and will it override airline rules?
Parliament still needs Council agreement and a six-month transition. Early-2026 is the start. Once in force it overrides every carrier flying to, from or inside the EU, banning cabin-bag surcharges and enforcing two-bag size and weight limits.
2. How do I check whether a suitcase meets the 100 cm cabin limit?
Add the external height, width and depth—including wheels and handles—and ensure their sum is 100 cm or less. For example, 45 × 35 × 20 cm equals exactly 100 cm. Yiannakou lists full dimensions online; measure at home with a tape if you suspect soft panels or expansion zips distort sizing during packing.
3. What is the best way to stay within the 7 kg weight allowance for the overhead bag?
Choose a lightweight shell first; several Yiannakou duffels weigh under one kilogram. Wear heavy shoes and jackets through security, shift electronics and toiletries into your under-seat piece, and swap liquid soap for solids. A digital luggage scale costs little and prevents awkward repacking at the gate or check-in desk queues.
4. Can my personal item be a handbag, and what fits best under the seat?
Yes. The regulation only fixes maximum dimensions: 40 × 30 × 15 cm. A structured tote, slim backpack or medium tote bag all qualify. Ensure it closes securely, carries valuables and flight essentials, and sits upright without spilling. Soft sides help squeeze under low seats on older Airbus and Boeing cabins during descent.