Guide to cabin bag sizes and weight restrictions

With airlines having different rules and regulations when it comes to hand luggage allowances and cabin bag sizes, it can be stressful working out what you can pack to avoid costly fees at the airport.

To take the guesswork out of packing, we’ve created an easy-to-use tool and a full list of cabin bag and under-seat bag allowances across major airlines, including British Airways, easyJet and Ryanair. This includes both size and weight limits so you can quickly check what’s allowed for your ticket type.

Compare luggage sizes, weights, and costs across airlines

Finding the right cabin or hold baggage allowance can be tricky, with each airline setting different size, weight, and price rules. Our luggage comparison tool makes it easy to compare baggage policies across multiple airlines at a glance.

We’ve gathered data from official sources to ensure accuracy. For clear visual comparisons, we've standardised luggage dimensions where airlines use total measurements (height + width + depth). Costs are converted to GBP for consistency, giving you a hassle-free way to check extra baggage fees before you book.

Use the tool to find the best luggage options for your trip—without any surprises at the airport!

Disclaimer: The baggage allowances shown in this tool are based on Economy class fares. Allowances may vary depending on airline, route, travel class, and fare type. All dimensions provided include handles and wheels.

Conversions are accurate as of March 2025. All sources and links to official airline pages can be found directly within the planner or the table below.

Cabin bag rules by airline

If you prefer to scan the information in one place, we’ve pulled together a detailed table of cabin and under-seat bag allowances for major airlines flying from the UK.

Airline

Allowance

Max. Dimensions

Max. Weight

Aer Lingus

1 cabin bag + 1 small bag

55x40x24cm 25x33x20cm

10kg

Aeroflot**

1 cabin bag

55x40x25cm

10kg (15kg for business class travellers)

Air Asia

1 cabin bag + 1 small bag

56x36x23cm 40x30x10cm

7kg combined weight

Air France

1 cabin bag + 1 personal item

55x35x25cm 40x30x15cm

12-18kg combined weight (depending on ticket type)

British Airways

1 cabin bag + 1 personal item

56x40x23cm 40x30x15cm

You must be able to lift it into the overhead lockers

Delta

1 cabin bag + 1 personal item

56x35x23cm

No weight restrictions*

easyJet

1 cabin bag + 1 under seat cabin bag

56 x 45 x 25cm 45x36x20cm

15kg

Emirates

1 cabin bag

55x38x20cm

7kg

Etihad Airways

1 cabin bag + 1 personal item

56x36x23cm 23x39x19cm

7kg for cabin bag 5kg for personal item

Jet2

1 cabin bag + 1 laptop/handbag

56x45x25cm Not specified

10kg combined weight

KLM

1 cabin bag + 1 small bag

55x35x25cm 40x30x15cm

12kg combined weight

Lufthansa

1 cabin bag + 1 foldable garment bag

55x40x23cm 57x54x15cm

8kg

Norwegian

1 cabin + under seat bag

55x20x23cm 30x20x38cm

10kg weight

ITA Airways

1 cabin bag + 1 small bag

55x35x25cm 40x30x15cm

8 kg

Qatar Airways

1 cabin bag + 1 personal item

50x37x25cm Not specified

7kg combined weight

Ryanair

1 underseat bag

40x20x25cm

No weight restrictions

TUI Airways

1 cabin bag

55x40x20cm

10kg

Turkish Airlines

1 cabin bag and 1 personal item

23x40x55cm 40x30x15cm

8kg

Virgin Atlantic

1 cabin bag + 1 personal item

56x36x23cm

10kg

Vueling Airlines

1 underseat bag

40x20x30cm

Not specified

Wizz Air

1 underseat bag

40x30x20cm

10kg

*No maximum weight applies to carry-on baggage except in the following: Changi International Airport, Beijing Capital International Airport and Pudong International Airport

** In 2022, Aeroflot, Russia’s flagship airline, suspended all flights to Europe in response to widespread airspace bans imposed by the European Union and other Western nations.

Information correct as of January 2025. Always check the latest guidance before booking a trip.

Before you travel: essentials to know

Packing your hand luggage? Make sure you're clear on what items are allowed and what might get flagged at security. If you're also checking in a bag, it's worth reviewing the rules to avoid unexpected fees or delays at the airport.

FAQs: Guide to cabin bag sizes and weight restrictions

Cabin bags, also called hand luggage or carry-on bags, are usually limited to around 10kg for economy airline passengers. It’s always worth checking the airline’s specific cabin bag rules before you fly though, as this limit can be less on some airlines, and substantially more on others.

They can be, but more often they are size checked. We recommend you ensure your bag is within the weight and size limits the airline specifies if you want it onboard with you. If the staff deem your bag too big or too heavy, it will be checked, and you could be charged a fee.

All airlines allow passengers to bring at least one cabin bag onboard with them, although the maximum size can sometimes be limited. Ensure you check the restrictions your airline has in place before packing your hand luggage.

If you bring an additional cabin bag to the airport, or your cabin bag is bigger or heavier than the airline allows, you’ll either be charged a fee to take it onto the plane with you, or it’ll need to be checked as hold luggage. You’ll typically be charged a fee for this too. With this in mind, it’s always best to take the right amount of hand luggage with you or add bags to your booking beforehand.

These terms are often used interchangeably, but here’s the breakdown:

Hand Luggage

A general term covering both a cabin bag and a personal item, if allowed.

Cabin Bag / Carry-On

The main piece of hand luggage, often stored in the overhead locker. Some airlines include this for free, while others charge.

Personal Item / Under-Seat Bag

A smaller bag (like a handbag, laptop case, or small backpack) that fits under the seat in front of you.

Not all airlines use the same wording, so always check your ticket type to see what’s included. Even slight differences in bag size or weight could result in extra fees at the gate.

We hope we’ve helped you understand a bit more about cabin bag rules and how they differ by airline, and that this makes preparing for your trip a bit easier!

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