New Luggage Regulations in Italy During COVID-19

To help reduce the spread of the coronavirus, travelers are not allowed to use the overhead compartments on some flights to, from, and within Italy, including on long-haul routes. This rule is aimed to prevent passengers from crowding in the aisles before takeoff and after landing.

Italy’s National Civil Aviation Authority announced new regulations that prohibit the use of overhead bins for any bags “for health reasons.” This applies to flights that are not socially distanced; however, guidelines for social distancing were relaxed in mid-June. The aviation authority stated that social distancing is no longer required on planes equipped with High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters, commonly found on most commercial aircraft operating in Europe. Nevertheless, social distancing remains mandatory in the airport and on shuttle buses between the terminal and the plane.

Any luggage brought onto the flight must fit under the seat. Consequently, passengers are not required to pay an additional luggage fee for checked baggage as long as their items fit within the airline’s normal carry-on dimensions.

“Passengers will only be permitted to bring on board small baggage that can be placed under their seats, such as handbags, backpacks, or laptop cases not exceeding 36x45x20 cm,” stated Alitalia, Italy’s flagship carrier, in a statement on its website. “We invite passengers to deliver their baggage to the airport at the Check-in / Drop-off counter, to be placed in the hold, free of charge.”

Moreover, other health guidelines require passengers to wear masks while in the airport, changing them every four hours, and to complete an airline-provided form before each flight affirming that they do not have COVID-19 or any related symptoms.

Italy was one of the hardest-hit countries during the initial outbreak of COVID-19 in Europe, with approximately 200 new cases still being reported each day.