Hand luggage size & weight guide

Airline luggage rules can feel confusing, especially when cabin baggage size and weight limits vary from one carrier to the next. What’s accepted on one flight might be refused at the gate on another, often with a fee attached. This luggage guide is designed to help you quickly check airline luggage policies and understand what you can take on board as carry‑on baggage. Below, you’ll find at‑a‑glance hand luggage guidelines for some of the most popular airlines, along with a few practical travel packing tips to help you avoid last‑minute surprises.

How this guide works

The cabin baggage sizes listed below include wheels and handles, as these usually count towards the total dimensions. Weight limits apply even if your bag fits within the size allowance, and some airlines enforce rules more strictly than others. Personal items, such as handbags or laptop cases, are listed separately where applicable, but exact allowances can depend on ticket type. Airline luggage policies can change, so it’s always wise to double‑check before you travel.

easyJet

easyJet includes one small cabin bag with every ticket, designed to fit under the seat in front of you.

The maximum cabin baggage size is 45 × 36 × 20 cm, and there is a 15 kg weight limit. You must be able to lift and carry the bag yourself. Larger cabin bags, up to 56 × 45 × 25 cm, are allowed only with Speedy Boarding or specific fare upgrades and must be placed in the overhead locker.

Ryanair

Ryanair’s standard fare includes one small personal bag only.

This must fit under the seat and measure no more than 40 × 30 × 20 cm. There is no stated weight limit, but size checks at the gate are common. A larger cabin bag for the overhead locker is only permitted with Priority boarding or selected fare types.

Wizz Air

Wizz Air allows one free personal item per passenger on standard fares.

The maximum size is 40 × 30 × 20 cm, with a 10 kg weight limit. This bag must fit under the seat. Larger cabin bags are only allowed with WIZZ Priority and go in the overhead locker.

British Airways

British Airways offers one of the most generous cabin baggage allowances among UK airlines.

Passengers may bring one cabin bag up to 56 × 45 × 25 cm and one personal item up to 40 × 30 × 15 cm. Each bag can weigh up to 23 kg, provided you can lift it into the overhead locker without assistance. This applies across fares, including Economy Basic.

Jet2.com

Jet2.com includes both a cabin bag and a personal item with all fares.

The cabin bag may measure up to 56 × 45 × 25 cm with a 10 kg weight limit and goes in the overhead locker. In addition, passengers can bring a personal item up to 40 × 30 × 20 cm to fit under the seat. This makes Jet2.com notably more generous than most low‑cost airlines.

Lufthansa

On most Economy fares, Lufthansa allows one cabin bag and one personal item.

The cabin bag size limit is 55 × 40 × 23 cm, with a maximum weight of 8 kg. Personal items must fit within 40 × 30 × 10 cm.

Some short‑haul Economy Basic fares include only a personal item, with the cabin bag available as a paid extra. Always check your fare details before flying.

Air France

Air France’s allowance depends on fare type, but most Economy passengers can bring one cabin bag and one personal item.

The cabin bag may measure up to 55 × 35 × 25 cm, with a combined carry‑on weight limit of 12 kg across both items. Personal items must fit under the seat and are generally limited to 40 × 30 × 15 cm. Some Economy Basic fares include only a small personal item unless a cabin bag is purchased separately.

KLM

KLM baggage rules vary by ticket type.

Economy Standard and Flex fares allow one cabin bag up to 55 × 35 × 25 cm and a personal item up to 40 × 30 × 15 cm, with a combined weight limit of 12 kg.

Economy Basic fares include only a small under‑seat bag, with overhead cabin baggage available as a paid add‑on.

Emirates

Emirates enforces stricter cabin baggage weight limits than many airlines.

Economy passengers may bring one cabin bag only, measuring up to 55 × 38 × 22 cm, with a 7 kg weight limit. No additional personal item is included on most routes. Cabin bags are often weighed at check‑in and occasionally again at the gate.

Simple travel packing tips for hand luggage

When packing cabin baggage, a little planning goes a long way. Start by weighing your bag at home, especially if you’re flying with airlines that enforce carry‑on weight limits. Even if your bag fits the size requirements, exceeding the weight allowance can still mean gate checks or extra fees.

Choose lightweight luggage where possible, as the empty weight of your case makes a bigger difference than most people expect. Soft‑sided bags can also be more forgiving in airline size checkers than rigid suitcases.

Pack heavier items, such as shoes or toiletries, close to the wheels to improve balance, and use packing cubes or compression bags to keep everything organised without overfilling. Wearing your bulkiest items onboard, such as coats, jumpers or boots, can quickly free up space and reduce weight.

Keep essentials like medication, valuables, travel documents and chargers in your personal item. If your main cabin bag is placed in the hold at the gate, you’ll still have what you need during the flight. It’s also wise to leave a little extra room in your bag for items bought after security, such as duty‑free purchases.

Airline hand luggage rules aren’t just about measurements; they’re about preparation. Cabin baggage size, carry‑on weight limits and personal item allowances can differ not only between airlines but also by fare type and route. Taking a few minutes to check your airline’s luggage policy, measuring your bag properly and packing with a little flexibility can save time, money and stress at the airport. Keep essentials in your personal item, allow some margin in both size and weight and remember that enforcement can vary depending on how busy a flight or airport is. When you know the rules in advance, boarding becomes smoother, and your journey starts on a far more relaxed note.

Ready to put your travel plans into motion? Book your flights today to compare routes, fares and airlines, and start your trip knowing exactly what you can take on board.