A hand luggage refused at the boarding gate is the extra charge that ruins the start — often more expensive than the ticket. The problem? Each airline imposes its own hand luggage dimensions, and the rules are still changing in 2026. Ryanair, easyJet, Air France, Wizz Air: we've gathered the sizes and weights allowed in one table, with the pitfalls to know to pass without paying.
For a quick overview: a bag close to 40 × 20 × 25 cm is free almost everywhere, and a size of 55 × 40 × 20 cm covers the large hand luggage for most airlines. We detail everything airline by airline — but first, here are the models that fit these sizes.
Our Selection of Hand Luggage
Three backpacks designed for the cabin, one for each use: the versatile one that adjusts to most sizes, the large volume for a week, and the connected model with USB port. You can also browse our entire collection of cabin backpacks or cabin bags to compare capacities.
The 40 × 30 × 15 cm Standard and the European Law 2026
In recent years, low-cost airlines have reduced the free luggage to a small bag that fits under the seat — often around 40 × 30 × 15 cm with the strictest ones. Anything exceeding this becomes paid hand luggage.
Good news: in 2026, the European Parliament is pushing to harmonise these rules and guarantee a free hand luggage of a minimal size for all passengers. Nothing is yet applied to the letter, and each carrier maintains its own limits in the meantime. Before you leave, always check your airline's policy and the official UK government hand luggage rules: it's the only source that holds authority.
The Hand Luggage Size Table by Airline (2026)
Here are the most requested sizes, from the free small bag to the large hand luggage. Dimensions include wheels and handles — it's the detail that can get a bag "almost" the right size rejected.
| Airline | Free small bag (under seat) | Cabin luggage (large, often paid) | Max weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ryanair | 40 × 20 × 25 cm | 55 × 40 × 20 cm (Priority) | 10 kg (Priority) |
| easyJet | 45 × 36 × 20 cm | 56 × 45 × 25 cm (Up Front / Plus) | 15 kg (large) |
| Wizz Air | 40 × 30 × 20 cm | 55 × 40 × 23 cm (WIZZ Priority) | 10 kg |
| Transavia | 40 × 30 × 20 cm | 55 × 35 × 25 cm | 10 kg (total) |
| Vueling | 40 × 20 × 30 cm | 55 × 40 × 20 cm | 10 kg |
| Volotea | 40 × 30 × 20 cm | 55 × 40 × 20 cm | 10 kg |
| Eurowings | 40 × 30 × 25 cm | 55 × 40 × 23 cm | 8 kg |
| Air France | 40 × 30 × 15 cm (accessory) | 55 × 35 × 25 cm | 12 kg (accessory + cabin) |
These values change regularly: take them as a guideline, not a guarantee. When in doubt, a bag close to 40 × 20 × 25 cm is free on almost all airlines, and it's the safest size to travel without extra charges.
Allowed Weight and Personal Bag: What We Forget
Dimensions aren't everything: many travellers get caught out by the weight or by the confusion between the two allowed bags.
- Weight matters as much as size. Most airlines cap hand luggage between 8 and 10 kg, sometimes 12 kg for traditional airlines. The small bag under the seat often has no displayed limit.
- Small bag ≠ large hand luggage. The free bag fits under the seat in front of you; the large hand luggage goes in the overhead compartment — and it's almost always chargeable on low-cost flights.
- A soft bag always wins. Unlike a hard shell, a backpack compresses slightly to fit into the size control frame. At equal dimensions, it forgives those few extra millimetres.
The Pitfalls That Cost Dearly at the Counter
With the same announced size, it's the details that decide if you pay or not. The three most common mistakes:
- Forgetting wheels and handles. A "55 cm" bag that measures 57 cm with wheels will be rejected. Check the total dimension, not just the shell.
- Overloading the bag. A bag of the right size but too bulging won't fit in the metal frame. A packing organiser keeps the bag flat and neat, saving you a lot of time on arrival.
- Taking the right size… but two bags. Only one free bag: if you add a bulky handbag, you may be charged for the second. Consolidate everything into the allowed bag.
Packing Your Hand Luggage Well
With volume locked by dimensions, every litre counts. Two habits double the usable capacity: rolling clothes instead of folding them, and compressing bulky items. A compression bag sucks the air out of jumpers and jackets and frees up precious space — exactly what's needed when refusing to check in a bag. Our guide to preparing your travel bag details the method step by step.
Travel Clothes Compression Bag
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Backpack or Cabin Suitcase?
Both are allowed in the cabin; the choice depends on your trip. The backpack wins on mobility, low-cost flights, and size tolerance (it compresses). The cabin suitcase has the advantage for protecting rigid items and comfort on smooth surfaces. For a city break or a Ryanair flight, the backpack takes the lead; for a business trip with a laptop, the question arises. If you're unsure about the model, our comparison of the best cabin backpacks reviews the safest sizes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the maximum weight for hand luggage? Usually between 8 and 10 kg, sometimes 12 kg on traditional airlines. The free small bag under the seat generally has no displayed limit. Always check your carrier's weight limit in addition to dimensions.
Does a 40 × 20 × 25 cm bag fit with Ryanair? Yes: it's exactly the size of the free small bag that fits under the seat. Beyond that, you need the Priority option (chargeable) for a hand luggage of 55 × 40 × 20 cm.
What are the dimensions with easyJet? The free bag under the seat is around 45 × 36 × 20 cm. The large hand luggage (56 × 45 × 25 cm) is reserved for Up Front or Plus tickets, or as a paid option.
Do the dimensions include wheels and handles? Yes, almost always. It's the total dimension of the bag, wheels and handles included, that is checked at the size control — keep this in mind when measuring your suitcase.
