Why the extra "free" bag just doesn't fly

A mandatory "free" second cabin bags raise basic airfares for all passengers, increase boarding delays, and add over 1.6 tonnes of CO₂ emissions per short-haul flight. All A4E airlines already apply an EU-wide standard for personal bags (40 × 30 × 15 cm) included in every basic fare — the minimum a passenger can expect to bring on board, with many airlines offering larger allowances.