It’s always important to check the hand luggage allowances of your chosen airline before jetting off on holiday, especially because they can change so frequently
Packing for a holiday is arguably one of the most stressful and tiresome tasks. Whether it’s making sure you’ve got everything you could possibly need – such as that extra pair of swimming trunks, a bottle of sun cream or your favourite sunglasses – or that your luggage is of the right size and not too heavy to avoid any last second panic.
The difficult thing is there are so many different airlines that have varying size and weight requirements, so it’s easy to get mixed up, turn up at the airport and then be faced with costly fees. What makes this an even more complicated process is that these allowances change quite frequently, so it’s important to keep an eye out. And that’s where The Mirror comes in. Here’s a breakdown of the latest luggage requirements for all the major airlines.
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Ryanair
According to the airline’s official website: “All our fares include one small personal bag which can be brought on board, such as a handbag or laptop bag (40x20x25cm), which must fit under the seat in front of you.” For anyone who requires additional bagging allowance, Ryanair offers deals such as priority boarding and two cabin bags.
The rule explains: “This allows you to carry a small personal bag (40x20x25cm), which must fit under the seat in front of you and a 10kg bag (55x40x20cm) onboard, to be stored in the overhead locker. It also allows you to board the plane first using the Priority Boarding queue at the gate.”
easyJet
According to the airline, customers are allowed to bring the following on board:
One small cabin bag
- Maximum size 45 x 36 x 20cm (including any handles and wheels)
- Includes items like a small trolley case, handbag, rucksack and laptop bag, but please check dimensions
- Needs to fit under the seat in front of you
- Maximum weight 15kg. You need to be able to lift and carry the bag yourself
While if you require something bigger, you can pay to add a large cabin bag – note this is also included as part of an easyJet Plus membership. Here’s all the key information to keep in mind for this:
- Maximum size 56 x 45 x 25 cm (including any handles and wheels)
- Includes items like a trolley case and larger rucksack, but please check dimensions
- Needs to fit in an overhead locker
- Maximum weight 15kg. You need to be able to lift and carry the bag yourself
- Includes Speedy Boarding (be one of the first to board)
It’s important to remember the maximum number of cabin bags available per passenger is two; one small cabin bag for all customers and one large cabin bag for customers if it’s included with their fare or membership benefits or a paid one – you can’t have both.
Jet2
According to the airline: “You can bring one piece of hand luggage onboard free of charge, as long as it weighs no more than 10kg and is no larger than 56cm x 45cm x 25cm, including any wheels and handles.”
Should your luggage weigh more or is larger than this, however, it will need to be checked into the aircraft hold – plus you could possibly face an additional charge.
“You can also bring one small under-seat bag onboard (such as a handbag, laptop bag or airport purchase), as long as it doesn’t exceed 40cm x 30cm x 15cm in size. This must be placed underneath the seat in front of you.”
British Airways (BA)
According to the airline, you need the following:
- 1 cabin bag, max. 23kg (51lbs), up to 56×45×25cm (22 x 18 x 10in)
- 1 handbag or laptop bag, max. 23kg (51lbs), up to 40×30×15cm (16 x 12 x 6in)
Wizz Air
According to the airline’s website, passengers are allowed two types of bags onboard; a free carry-on bag or a trolley bag (for WIZZ Priority holders). Plus these items can also be brought with you at no additional cost:
- A coat or blanket
- Mobile phone
- Reading material for the flight
- Duty-free items purchased in the airside departure lounge after passing through the security check
- For infants (0-2 years): food for the flight’s duration and a foldable baby stroller or a small crib (can be taken until the aircraft door or steps)
- A pair of crutches for physically disabled passengers
It allows everyone one small carry-on bag, which should be placed under the seat., maximum size: 40 x 30 x 20 cm, 10kg. The rules state the free carry-on can be one of the following:
- Laptop bag
- Purse
- Briefcase
- Small backpack
But it must be a maximum of 40 x 30 x 20 cm, 10kg There is an option to add a larger carry-on bag (such as a trolley bag or any other bag within size limitations), along with priority check-in and boarding.
- Maximum dimensions of the trolley bag: 55 x 40 x 23 cm.
- Maximum weight of the trolley bag: 10 kg.
- The trolley bag must fit in the overhead compartment above you.
- Size allowance does not include bag handles/wheels; however, wheels must add no more than 5 cm to the size of the bag.
Should you exceed these dimensions, this will result in additional fees being charged.
TUI
According to the airline’s website: “All adults and children aged two and over can take one piece of hand luggage for the cabin for free. Each piece of hand luggage can weigh up to 10kg, with maximum dimensions of 55x40x20cm.”
As well as one piece of hand luggage, you can bring one small personal item. This includes things like a laptop bag, a backpack, or a handbag that’s small enough to fit under the seat in front of you with maximum dimensions 40x30x20cm.
Note you’ll need to be able to lift it into the overhead storage compartment yourself.