There’s a lot to think about when planning a holiday or short trip - each airline has its own rules regarding hand luggage and will happily charge you extra if your bag doesn't fit within those limits.
The last thing you want before you jet off is to incur additional charges (and lots of stress) by not checking your luggage dimensions and weight restrictions.
I’ve rounded up the most up-to-date hand luggage information for a selection of airlines along with links to the baggage info so it's easy to double-check for yourself! Additional baggage allowance can always be purchased ahead of time if you need it - it's usually much cheaper to book it in advance, rather than to be charged extra on the day you travel
Please double-check with your chosen airline for the most up-to-date info before you fly, as rules can change. The links below should hopefully make it a bit easier to do these checks
British Airways Hand Luggage allowance
Cabin baggage - what's included:
You can book flights here
easyJet Hand Luggage
Cabin baggage - what's included:
If you’d like to bring a large cabin bag on board (max. 56 x 45 x 25 cm, including any handles or wheels), you have the option to add this for an additional cost
You can book flights here
Finnair Hand Luggage
18/05/23 Finnair has confirmed that they would be introducing a new basic Air fare which no longer includes a free suitcase in the cabin.
In place from June 1, passengers will only be able to take a small bag: 40cm x 30cm x 15cm into the cabin, and this must fit underneath the seat.
Larger luggage measuring 55cm x 40cm x 23cm can be added at an extra cost.
You can book flights here
Jet2 Hand Luggage allowance
Cabin baggage - what's included:
You can book flights here
Ryanair Hand Luggage allowance
Cabin baggage - what's included:
"Priority & 2 Cabin Bags" Passengers with Priority & 2 Cabin Bags, a Regular Fare/Flexi Plus or a connecting flight ticket can bring 1 small cabin bag which must fit under the seat in front of them (40cm x 20cm x 25cm). Priority customers can also bring an additional 10kg bag on board which must fit into the baggage sizer (not exceeding 10kg and dimensions 55cm x 40cm x 20cm) and will be stored in the overhead locker.
You can book flights here
TUI Hand Luggage Allowance
Cabin baggage - what's included:
Things like laptops, handbags and items bought at the airport must fit within your 1 piece of hand luggage.
Check out the hand baggage allowances for other airlines:
Update 21st August: Ryanair, easyJet, and BA have updated their rules around 'Smart Bags' with built-in electronics. Depending on the airline, smart bags may be banned from both the cabin and the hold of planes
Please check with your chosen airline, about the most up-to-date rules.
Ryanair
British Airways
If the lithium battery/power bank cannot be removed the smart bag will not be accepted onto the flight.
easyjet
Useful Links
Travel Tip - Click & collect airside at Boots Airport Stores (after security) to avoid luggage restrictions
Want to get a great deal on travel? Find all the latest offers on holidays:
If you're travelling in the EU then don't forget to get your Global Health Insurance Card (UK GHIC) (GHIC) before you go. You can apply for this here
O2 To Carry On Offering Free EU Roaming For The Forseeable (+Full List Of MVNO's Who Offer Roaming)
The last thing you want before you jet off is to incur additional charges (and lots of stress) by not checking your luggage dimensions and weight restrictions.
I’ve rounded up the most up-to-date hand luggage information for a selection of airlines along with links to the baggage info so it's easy to double-check for yourself! Additional baggage allowance can always be purchased ahead of time if you need it - it's usually much cheaper to book it in advance, rather than to be charged extra on the day you travel
Please double-check with your chosen airline for the most up-to-date info before you fly, as rules can change. The links below should hopefully make it a bit easier to do these checks
British Airways Hand Luggage allowance
Cabin baggage - what's included:
- 1 Cabin bag. Maximum size: 56x45x25cm with 23kg weight limit
- 1 smaller personal item handbag or laptop bag up to 40 x 30 x 15cm including handles, pockets and wheels.
You can book flights here
easyJet Hand Luggage
Cabin baggage - what's included:
- 1 x Small bag. Maximum size 45x36x20cm, including handles and wheels.
- No weight limit, but it MUST fit under the seat in from
If you’d like to bring a large cabin bag on board (max. 56 x 45 x 25 cm, including any handles or wheels), you have the option to add this for an additional cost
You can book flights here
Finnair Hand Luggage
18/05/23 Finnair has confirmed that they would be introducing a new basic Air fare which no longer includes a free suitcase in the cabin.
In place from June 1, passengers will only be able to take a small bag: 40cm x 30cm x 15cm into the cabin, and this must fit underneath the seat.
Larger luggage measuring 55cm x 40cm x 23cm can be added at an extra cost.
You can book flights here
Jet2 Hand Luggage allowance
Cabin baggage - what's included:
- 1 small personal item - such as a laptop size bag or handbag to be placed underneath the seat in front of you
- 1 Cabin bag weighing no more than 10kg. Maximum size: 56x45x25cm including the wheels and handles.
You can book flights here
Ryanair Hand Luggage allowance
Cabin baggage - what's included:
- 1 x Small Bag. Maximum size 40cm x 20cm x 25cm. This can be a handbag, laptop bag, or small backpack.
"Priority & 2 Cabin Bags" Passengers with Priority & 2 Cabin Bags, a Regular Fare/Flexi Plus or a connecting flight ticket can bring 1 small cabin bag which must fit under the seat in front of them (40cm x 20cm x 25cm). Priority customers can also bring an additional 10kg bag on board which must fit into the baggage sizer (not exceeding 10kg and dimensions 55cm x 40cm x 20cm) and will be stored in the overhead locker.
You can book flights here
TUI Hand Luggage Allowance
Cabin baggage - what's included:
- 1 piece of hand luggage per person (excluding infants) weighing up to 10kg.
- Maximum size: 55x40x20cm
Things like laptops, handbags and items bought at the airport must fit within your 1 piece of hand luggage.
Check out the hand baggage allowances for other airlines:
Update 21st August: Ryanair, easyJet, and BA have updated their rules around 'Smart Bags' with built-in electronics. Depending on the airline, smart bags may be banned from both the cabin and the hold of planes
Please check with your chosen airline, about the most up-to-date rules.
Ryanair
- Cabin - Allowed, but you must remove the lithium battery before putting your bag in the overhead locker and it must stay with you at all times.
- Hold / Checked in - Allowed, as long as you remove the lithium battery and take it on the plane with you.
British Airways
If the lithium battery/power bank cannot be removed the smart bag will not be accepted onto the flight.
- Cabin - Allowed if under 100Wh, but you must disconnect the battery, but it can stay in the bag.
- Hold / Checked in - Allowed if under 100Wh , as long as you remove the lithium battery and take it on the plane with you.
easyjet
- Cabin - Allowed, you must disconnect the battery, but it can stay in the bag.
- Hold / Checked in - Allowed, as long as you remove the lithium battery and take it on the plane with you.
Useful Links
Travel Tip - Click & collect airside at Boots Airport Stores (after security) to avoid luggage restrictions
Want to get a great deal on travel? Find all the latest offers on holidays:
- Discounted Long Haul and Short Haul Flights here
- You can find all the latest Hotel Deals here
- Need some Suitcases? Some great luggage discounts here
If you're travelling in the EU then don't forget to get your Global Health Insurance Card (UK GHIC) (GHIC) before you go. You can apply for this here
O2 To Carry On Offering Free EU Roaming For The Forseeable (+Full List Of MVNO's Who Offer Roaming)
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270 Comments
sorted byTake two Aldi bags on the flight with you, as they never check them (presumably unless you make them look humongous). Use one as your small bag & have the other folded up flat incase you need it. If it's in your pocket, it's not weighed. Even just put your laptop bag & a pair of (filled) shoes inside the one you initially use. I tend to swap sandwiches to the airside WH Smith bag.
Wear as much as you can to board. Once on, you can take your coat/layers etc off & put them in the Aldi bag/s , as they've checked the size already. Dont put anything breakable in the bags as you need to squash them with your feet under the seat Infront, or use the space next to you too if the seat is empty.
If the flight is very cheap & you are likely to use both bags, buying the seat next to you can be considerably cheaper than hold luggage. It also lets you veg out a bit better. (This might not work now it you can't buy specific seats at low prices).
If I'm going somewhere cold, I board wearing boots but swap into trainers, & the boots go in the bag too. Aldi bags handles fit nicely over the extending handle of my wheeled case.
I normally pay for one cabin case & have the small free one, & that tends to be enough.
It kinda became a game, & the largest thing sneaked on was two badminton racquets (which should be impossible).
Before covid I flew often (only once to the canaries since), am a couple of pages from the end of my passport, and probably averaged about 16 flights a year (2/3s IAG & a third on cheapos where the luggage game largely takes place).
I've never paid an excess baggage charge (but sometimes had hold luggage).
Other advantages of doing this are you dont have to wait at the carousel, and your luggage is with you so can't disappear. More likely to get a taxi quickly too.
The only potential downside is (other than Ryanair who tend to give priority boarding with paid cabin baggage), I tend to wait sitting/reading until I'm in the last few to board.
Occasionally this means there's no space left for the larger cabin bag & it has to go in the hold (which then is free), but you're stuck with the carousel. So you need to figure out how busy the plane will be rather than sitting to the end if the flight looks packed & you dont have priority boarding.
Leave the flight with massive bags & a bigger wallet/smile.
Plus they want to make money.
The answer to the inefficiency you mention would be to reduce the price of speedy boarding/large cabin bags so a few more people bring large cabin bags but not too many. (Buuut the airline may have done the maths and found that then people then don't buy hold luggage (having bought large cabin bags instead) see above re money)... (edited)
Luggage doesn't half bump up the headline cost of the flight (especially Ryanair!)so it's important to work through the booking and ending with your final price including luggage. Can be cheaper to add a single hold bag during the booking process.
The game is simple - know what the rules are and follow them, or disregard them and prepare to take it on the chin if you get caught
Once on Lufthansa when no locker space they actually wanted me to sit with my knees on my chest and the bag stowed where my legs should be. And this was a full-price ticket paid for by work. Finally I think they realised could not get away with that and put my bag in the galley area.
On very occasional trips I don't actually need to take any bag at all but this does not go down well and they have a security freakout.
Maybe all kids at schools should make them for there first metal work / wood work projects. (edited)
Take a bag for life to the airport to fill with any meal deals and drinks you buy in the departures lounge. You don't have to cram those items in your single item of hand luggage.
The same with any medication, most airlines should allow it in a separate bag.
Check if you need a covering letter from your GP, especially for any liquids like insulin, and needles or other medical devices.
However they could actually refuse/charge for the bag containing the airline bought stuff if it doesn't all fit in your allocated allowance
From those listed in OP, only TUI seem to make it clear
That being said - if your bag is slightly oversized, you tend to get away with it easier when you have a laptop backpack instead of a travel rucksack.
ie:
I book 2 tickets for me and wife, but dont pay for seats...
i'll check us in both online, and do a checked bag drop when at airport...
Last i heard when people did this, was easyjet purposely split people up, and not to do with balancing the plane, etc
Most men in a marriage may want to take advantage of this system lool (edited)
Cross on a green man, wait on a red man, even if there's no vehicle in sight for 2 miles.
Airlines like Qatar, Etihad and Emirates are also very popular. Their rules/regs would be handy.
So you can buy one seat
OR
You can look to buy a seat just over 2 hours before you fly. By then everyone will be checked in. There will still probably be an empty seat next to one of you (if the plane us not full) or 2 seats free somewhere else. You can then just sit in them. (edited)
If they just charged an extra £5 each way I'd buy it but most times its £25 or more
I seriously don't know how they can sell tickets to the US without checked in bags.
Fortunately my job provides another means to get my money back in kind from them.
In your example, literally any other industry would be happy to let you upgrade for free rather than trying to con you out of more money through what is essentially an overly elaborate system designed to complicate what should be a very simple process (edited)
Quick question for Ryan air hand baggage Dimensions.
I found this bag which is slightly bigger but in the comments they mention that it's allowed in Ryan air
Inateck 40L Super Large Hand Luggage Travel Backpack Laptop Backpack for 15.6-17 Inch Notebooks, Flight Approved Backpack Cabin Backpack for Weekender amzn.eu/d/5…fch
Did anyone experience this?
not sure about other airlines but definitely worth checking
We are flying next month with ryanair, I'm guessing the rules with size are more or less the same (as in, small backpack under the seat?)
Heat for OP efforts (edited)
They intentionally try to complicate things to confuse people so they lose money.
We bought the Cabin max's last year, and they fitted perfectly for easy jet (I proper crammed mine too). I've seen that Ryan air have a smaller bag size, but obviously with the bag being fabric, it'll be easy to squeeze in. I don't want to re-buy another bag! (edited)
Don't fill it to bursting, of course.
They should do what cheap airlines do and decline entry or charge extra if you are bringing extra luggage or oversized luggage on board. It seems harsh but unfortunately it is needed when you deal with thick passengers like this. (edited)
It looks like they charge a different price at booking time and later when you are checking in online for bags, worth investigating.
If they catch you with too many bags or too big or too heavy the charges are steep: