It’s not always easy to keep track of all the travel changes that have been introduced or are set to be introduced next year, from amended airport rules to travel documents, additional fees, and electronic systems. Yet, it’s crucial to be clued up before making any travel plans so you know exactly what you need and what to do.
Just this year, we’ve seen the Entry/Exit System (EES) fully rolled out across European airports, requiring British travellers to request their biometric data, such as a photograph and fingerprints, upon arrival. Elsewhere, destinations introduced additional tourist taxes and attraction fees, while the price of UK passports also increased, and the UK introduced the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA).
It was certainly a flurry of changes to get our heads around before jetting off abroad, and 2027 is set to be no different. But it shouldn’t feel daunting, as we still have plenty of time to get to grips with any new rules before our trips next year, especially when an expert has outlined exactly what we need to know…
Cabin luggage included in standard flight fare
Jane Bolton, travel expert at Erna Low, said that one of the “significant changes” set to impact all travellers from next year is the inclusion of cabin luggage in the standard price of a flight fare.
She explained: “Under the proposed reforms, expected in October 2027, passengers would be entitled to one small personal item that fits under the seat and one cabin bag weighing up to 7kg as part of the standard ticket price, helping to make baggage allowances and flight pricing more transparent.
“Currently, some airlines charge just under £50 each way to add a cabin bag, which can add significantly to flight costs, especially for families. The new allowances will make comparing flight prices much easier and reduce the risk of hidden fees increasing the total holiday cost.”
Children seated with parents at no extra cost
A family of four can face being charged as much as £250 to secure seats next to each other on flights, with the expert stating that there is “currently no law requiring children to be seated next to a supervised adult or guardian, Civil Aviation Authority guidelines state there should be no more than one row between a child and parent to prevent evacuation delays.”
However, Jane revealed: “Under the proposed rules, children under 14 will be entitled to sit next to an accompanying adult without paying additional seating fees.
“However, travellers should remember that the change is not yet in force. Until an implementation date is confirmed, families should continue to check the individual airline’s seating policy before booking.”
More flight protection
“Many travellers are unaware that missing an outbound flight could sometimes put the remainder of their travel plans at risk under some airline terms,” the expert said. But this could change from 2027.
“While there is currently no confirmed implementation date, the proposed reforms would prevent airlines from automatically cancelling a passenger’s return flight, simply because the outbound leg was not used,” the expert revealed.
“This provides holidaymakers with much greater flexibility for when travel plans don’t go according to plan, particularly if they’ve experienced disruptions or delays.
“There is currently no confirmed implementation date, so travellers should still contact their airline immediately if they are unable to take an outbound flight. Passengers should not assume their return booking will remain valid under today’s rules.”
Free corrections for simple mistakes
Correcting a small error on your holiday booking, such as a simple name mistake, can add up to £40. But the travel expert said this could also change next year.
Jane explained: “Under the proposed reforms, passengers would be able to correct minor booking mistakes without facing penalties, helping travellers avoid unnecessary costs for genuine errors. It should not be confused with transferring a ticket to an entirely different passenger, which may still be subject to separate airline rules and charges.
“It’s still worth checking your booking details carefully. However, passengers should have more protection when genuine errors occur.”