Checking hand luggage rules before you fly can save you £50 or more at the gate. Airlines change their policies regularly, and the rules vary significantly between carriers. This guide pulls the current rules for every major UK airline into one place, so you know exactly what you can take before you get to the airport.
We check and update these figures directly from each airline’s website. The table below reflects the rules as of May 2026.
UK airline hand luggage rules: quick comparison
| Airline | Free bag | Overhead bag | Weight limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ryanair | 40 × 20 × 25 cm | 55 × 40 × 20 cm Priority / paid | 10 kg |
| easyJet | 45 × 36 × 20 cm | 56 × 45 × 25 cm Plus / Inclusive | No limit |
| Jet2 | 40 × 30 × 20 cm | 56 × 45 × 25 cm Free for all | 10 kg |
| British Airways | 45 × 36 × 20 cm | 56 × 45 × 25 cm Free for all | No limit |
| Wizz Air | 40 × 30 × 20 cm | 55 × 40 × 23 cm WIZZ Priority | No limit |
| TUI | 40 × 30 × 20 cm | 55 × 40 × 20 cm Free for all | 10 kg |
| Norwegian | 30 × 20 × 38 cm | 55 × 40 × 23 cm LowFare+ & above | 10 kg |
| Vueling | 40 × 30 × 20 cm | 55 × 40 × 20 cm Fly bundle & above | 10 kg |
Paid add-on
Tier / bundle only
Always confirm with your airline before travel — rules can change without notice.
Ryanair hand luggage rules
Ryanair has the most complex baggage rules of any UK carrier. Understanding them before you fly will save you significant money.
Free bag (all passengers): One small bag measuring up to 40×20×25 cm. This must fit under the seat in front of you. There is no weight limit on this bag.
Cabin bag (overhead locker): One bag measuring up to 55×40×20 cm and weighing up to 10 kg. This is only free for Priority Boarding passengers — those who have purchased the add-on or have it included in their fare. All other passengers must pay to add the cabin bag, currently between £6 and £30 depending on when you add it and which route you’re on.
Key point: If you arrive at the gate with a bag larger than 40×20×25 cm and you have not paid for Priority or a cabin bag, you will be charged at the gate. Gate prices are typically the highest Ryanair charges — between £70 and £75 in 2026.
Tip: Add the cabin bag at the time of booking or at least 24 hours before travel. See our full Ryanair hand luggage guide for exact dimensions, sizer tips, and how to avoid gate charges.
easyJet hand luggage rules
easyJet’s policy is often misunderstood. Not all passengers get the overhead cabin bag for free — the details matter.
Free bag (all passengers): One small bag measuring up to 45×36×20 cm. This must fit under the seat in front of you and is included at no extra charge.
Large cabin bag (overhead locker): One bag measuring up to 56×45×25 cm. This is not free for standard passengers — you need to pay to add it, or hold an easyJet Plus membership, or have booked an Inclusive Plus fare. There is no weight limit on this bag.
What this means in practice: If you’re travelling with a standard rolling carry-on, you’ll need to pay to bring it into the overhead locker. A large handbag, laptop bag, or backpack that fits within 45×36×20 cm goes in for free under the seat.
See our full easyJet cabin bag size guide for the complete breakdown.
Jet2 hand luggage rules
Overhead cabin bag: One bag measuring up to 56×45×25 cm and weighing up to 10 kg. Included for all passengers at no extra charge.
Underseat bag: One additional bag measuring up to 40×30×20 cm. This is included at no extra charge and must fit under the seat in front of you.
Jet2 applies a weight limit of 10 kg to the overhead cabin bag, which is stricter than airlines with no weight limit. If your bag exceeds 10 kg, you will be asked to check it in and may be charged.
Important: Jet2 is generally well-regarded for applying its rules consistently. Their gate staff do weigh bags on busy routes.
British Airways hand luggage rules
Overhead cabin bag: One bag measuring up to 56×45×25 cm. No weight limit. Included for all passengers regardless of fare type.
Personal item: One item measuring up to 45×36×20 cm. This can be a handbag, laptop bag, or small backpack, and must fit under the seat.
British Airways allows both items in the cabin for all passengers. Gate staff are generally more relaxed than budget carriers about enforcing exact dimensions, but this varies by route and airport.
First and Business class: Two cabin bags are permitted for Business Class passengers.
Wizz Air hand luggage rules
Wizz Air’s approach mirrors Ryanair’s — free small bag, overhead bag costs extra.
Free bag (all passengers): One small bag measuring up to 40×30×20 cm. No weight limit. Must fit under the seat.
Cabin bag (overhead locker): One bag measuring up to 55×40×23 cm. No weight limit. This is only free for WIZZ Priority passengers. Other passengers must pay to add it — prices vary by route and booking timing.
Wizz Air is strict at the gate and applies charges that are higher than online prices. Add the cabin bag when you book if you need it.
TUI hand luggage rules
Overhead cabin bag: One bag measuring up to 55×40×20 cm and weighing up to 10 kg. Included for all passengers at no extra charge.
Underseat bag: One personal item measuring up to 40×30×20 cm. Included at no extra charge.
TUI applies a 10 kg weight limit to the overhead bag — worth noting if you pack heavy. Gate staff are generally less strict than budget carriers, though the policy still applies.
Norwegian hand luggage rules
Norwegian’s allowance depends on the fare type purchased.
LowFare fares: One small underseat bag only, measuring up to 30×20×38 cm. The overhead cabin bag is not included — you can add it for around £5–£9 online, up to four hours before departure.
LowFare+ and Flex fares: One overhead cabin bag (55×40×23 cm) plus one underseat bag. The combined weight limit is 10 kg.
Norwegian’s LowFare fare is the most restrictive — if you have a standard rolling carry-on, you will need to either upgrade your fare or pay to add the cabin bag.
Vueling hand luggage rules
Free bag (all fare types): One underseat bag measuring up to 40×30×20 cm. Included at no extra charge.
Overhead cabin bag: One bag measuring up to 55×40×20 cm (10 kg limit). Included on Fly bundles and above. Passengers on Fly Light fares must pay to add it — typically €10–€59 online or €45–€75 at the airport.
Vueling’s Fly Light fare is among the most restrictive. If you’re flying budget Vueling, check your fare type before you pack.
What happens if your bag is too big?
At the gate, you have three options:
You pay. Airlines charge a gate bag fee that is almost always higher than the online price. Ryanair and Wizz Air typically charge £70–£80 at the gate. easyJet charges around £48 at the gate if you have not added a cabin bag.
Your bag is checked in. If the overhead lockers are full, cabin bags are often gate-checked at no charge on many airlines including BA and easyJet. This is a common occurrence on full flights.
Your bag is rejected. If it is significantly too large, some airlines will refuse to carry it. This is rare but it does happen.
The safest approach: know your airline’s rules, measure your bag before you leave home, and add anything you need at the time of booking, not at the airport.
How to measure your hand luggage
Use a tape measure, not a ruler. Measure the longest points of the bag including handles and wheels — airlines measure the full external dimensions, not just the body of the bag.
For a rolling cabin suitcase, include the height of the extended wheels and the height of the extended handle when measuring. Some bags advertise dimensions that exclude these components; the airline will measure the whole bag.
If your bag is borderline, compress it slightly. Soft bags (duffel bags and backpacks) can often be pushed into compliance where a rigid suitcase cannot.
Best carry-on bags for UK airlines
If you need a new bag that works across all major UK airlines, you need something that fits within 56×45×25 cm (the standard overhead allowance for Jet2 and BA) while staying under 10 kg when packed (for Jet2 and TUI).
For Ryanair and Wizz Air, the cabin bag dimensions differ slightly. A bag at the standard 56×45×25 cm will be over the Ryanair overhead allowance (55×40×20 cm), though in practice Ryanair rarely measures bags that look carry-on sized.
See our full guide to the best carry-on bags for UK flights for specific recommendations tested against each airline’s sizer.
Frequently asked questions
What is the standard hand luggage size for UK airlines?
The most common overhead allowance for UK airlines is 56×45×25 cm. This applies to Jet2 and British Airways. easyJet uses the same dimensions but charges for overhead access on standard fares. Ryanair (55×40×20 cm), Wizz Air (55×40×23 cm), TUI (55×40×20 cm), and Norwegian (55×40×23 cm) use slightly smaller overhead dimensions.
Which UK airline has the best free hand luggage allowance?
Jet2 and British Airways are the most generous: both include a full-size overhead bag plus an underseat bag for all passengers at no extra charge. TUI also includes an overhead bag for all passengers. easyJet only includes the underseat bag (45×36×20 cm) for free on standard fares.
Can I take a backpack as hand luggage?
Yes, on most airlines. A backpack must fit within the airline’s stated dimensions. A standard 40-litre hiking backpack will typically be over the size limit for the free underseat bag on most airlines, but will fit within the overhead allowance on Jet2, BA, and TUI.
Does hand luggage have to be a certain weight?
Not always. easyJet, British Airways, Ryanair, and Wizz Air do not apply a weight limit to their cabin bag. Jet2, TUI, Norwegian, and Vueling apply a 10 kg limit. Always check your specific airline before travel.
What counts as a personal item on a plane?
A personal item is the smaller bag that goes under the seat in front of you. Typically a handbag, small backpack, laptop bag, or tote bag. Most airlines specify dimensions of around 40×30×20 cm for this item. A rigid suitcase does not qualify as a personal item regardless of size.
Can I take a cabin bag and a personal item?
This depends on the airline and fare. Jet2, British Airways, and TUI allow one overhead bag plus one underseat bag for all passengers at no extra charge. Ryanair, Wizz Air, and easyJet (standard fares) include only the underseat bag for free — the overhead cabin bag requires payment or a fare upgrade.
What happens if my hand luggage is too heavy at the gate?
Most airlines will ask you to check the bag into the hold and charge you the gate baggage fee. This varies by airline but is typically £40–£80 on budget carriers. On full flights, some airlines gate-check bags at no charge when overhead space runs out — but you cannot rely on this.
This page is updated regularly. Airline policies change — always verify with your carrier before travel.
