Checking hand luggage rules before you fly can save you £50 or more at the gate. Airline policies vary between carriers, and we check and update the figures below directly from each airline’s website, reflecting the rules as of May 2026. 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.
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UK airline hand luggage rules: quick comparison
| Airline | Overhead bag size | Weight | Included free? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jet2 | 56 × 45 × 25 cm | 10 kg | Yes Free for all |
| British Airways | 56 × 45 × 25 cm | No limit | Yes Free for all |
| TUI | 55 × 40 × 20 cm | 10 kg | Yes Free for all |
| Ryanair | 55 × 40 × 20 cm | 10 kg | Priority only Paid add-on |
| easyJet | 56 × 45 × 25 cm | No limit | Large Cabin Bag only Paid upgrade |
| Wizz Air | 55 × 40 × 23 cm | No limit | WIZZ Priority only Paid add-on |
| Norwegian | 55 × 40 × 23 cm | 10 kg | LowFare+ & above Tier / bundle |
| Vueling | 55 × 40 × 20 cm | 10 kg | Fly & Fly Grande fares Tier / bundle |
Paid add-on required
Tier / bundle only
Always confirm with your airline before travel, as rules can change without notice.
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Ryanair hand luggage rules
Ryanair runs a two-bag system: one small bag is free for everyone, and the overhead bag only comes free with Priority Boarding. Everyone else pays to add it, from £6 to £30 online, rising to £70–£75 if you leave it until the gate, so it’s worth adding when you book to get the lowest price. See the full breakdown in our Ryanair hand luggage guide, or go direct to Ryanair’s official baggage rules. If you need a bag that fits inside the free allowance, see our pick of the best carry-on bags for Ryanair.
easyJet hand luggage rules
easyJet’s policy catches people out, because the free bag is underseat only. Every passenger gets one bag free, no weight limit, as long as it fits under the seat. The large cabin bag goes in the overhead locker and isn’t free on standard fares, so you’ll pay for it, or need easyJet Plus or an Inclusive Plus fare. Budget for that fee with a standard rolling carry-on; a slim laptop bag or daypack that fits under the seat travels free. See our easyJet cabin bag guide, our best carry-on bags for easyJet, or check easyJet’s official allowance page.
The rules above highlight a clear divide in the UK market. Budget carriers like Ryanair, Wizz Air, and easyJet on standard fares charge extra for overhead access. The remaining airlines include it for all passengers. Knowing which category your airline falls into before you book can save you up to £30 per journey.
Jet2 hand luggage rules
Jet2 is one of the most generous airlines here: every passenger gets a full-size overhead bag and an underseat bag, both included in the ticket price. The overhead cabin bag can be up to 56×45×25 cm and 10 kg, free for all, no upgrade needed, while the underseat bag can be up to 40×30×20 cm, also free. The 10 kg weight limit is the one to watch, since staff do weigh bags on busy routes. Full details in our Jet2 hand luggage guide, our best carry-on bag for Jet2, or Jet2’s official cabin bag page.
British Airways hand luggage rules
British Airways includes a full-size cabin bag for all Economy passengers, with no weight limit, so there’s no need to weigh it. The overhead cabin bag can be up to 56×45×25 cm, included on any Economy fare, plus a personal item up to 40×30×15 cm for under the seat, like a handbag or laptop bag. Business Class allows two cabin bags, and BA gate staff are less strict than budget carriers on dimensions, though this varies by route. See our British Airways hand luggage guide, our best carry-on bag for British Airways, or BA’s official hand baggage page.
Wizz Air hand luggage rules
Wizz Air uses the same structure as Ryanair: one small bag is free for all, and overhead access costs extra unless you have WIZZ Priority. The free underseat bag can be up to 40×30×20 cm with no weight limit. The overhead cabin bag (55×40×23 cm) is free for WIZZ Priority passengers only; everyone else pays, and gate prices run well above online prices, so it’s worth adding when you book. Wizz Air is strict at the gate. See our Wizz Air hand luggage guide, our best carry-on bag for Wizz Air, or Wizz Air’s official luggage page.
TUI hand luggage rules
TUI includes an overhead cabin bag for all passengers at no extra charge, which is worth knowing if you tend to pack heavy. The overhead cabin bag can be up to 55×40×20 cm and 10 kg, plus an underseat bag up to 40×30×20 cm, both free for all passengers. TUI gate staff aren’t as strict as budget carriers on dimensions, but the weight limit still applies. Full details in our TUI baggage guide, our best carry-on bag for TUI, or TUI’s official baggage page.
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 handle when measuring, since some bags advertise dimensions that exclude these parts and 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 can’t.
Norwegian hand luggage rules
Norwegian’s allowance depends on the fare you buy. LowFare tickets include only an underseat bag (30×40×20 cm); the overhead bag isn’t included, though you can add it for around £5–£9 online. LowFare+ and Flex fares include one overhead bag (55×40×23 cm) plus one underseat bag, combined weight limit 10 kg. On the cheapest fare with a standard carry-on, you’ll need to pay extra. See our best carry-on bag for Norwegian, or Norwegian’s official page for pricing.
Vueling hand luggage rules
Vueling’s basic Fly Light fare is the most restrictive: one underseat bag (40×30×20 cm) free for all, but the overhead bag (55×40×20 cm, 10 kg) needs a higher fare bundle or an added cost, around €10–€59 online or €45–€75 at the airport. Check your fare type before you assume it’s included. See our best carry-on bag for Vueling, or Vueling’s official page for pricing.
What happens if your bag is too big?
At the gate, you’ve got three options:
- You pay. Gate fees are almost always higher than online prices. Ryanair and Wizz Air typically charge £70–£75 at the gate; easyJet charges around £48.
- Your bag is checked in. If overhead lockers are full, cabin bags are often gate-checked free on airlines including BA and easyJet, common on full flights.
- Your bag is rejected. If it’s significantly too large, some airlines refuse to carry it. Rare, but it happens.
The safest approach: know your airline’s rules, measure your bag before you leave home, and add anything you need at booking, not at the airport.
Best carry-on bags for flights from the UK
For a bag that works across every airline here, look for one within 56×45×25 cm (the standard overhead allowance for Jet2 and BA) that stays under 10 kg packed. Ryanair and Wizz Air’s dimensions are slightly smaller (55×40×20 cm), though Ryanair rarely measures bags that look carry-on sized. See our best carry-on bag for Ryanair, or, flying long-haul with KLM, our KLM carry-on bag size guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is the standard hand luggage size for popular airlines?
The most common overhead allowance across these 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 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 don’t 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 doesn’t 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 needs 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 can’t rely on this. This page is updated regularly and airline policies change, so always verify with your carrier before travel, and use our airline luggage checker tool for the latest rules.
More airline hand luggage guides
The table above covers eight airlines side by side. For a closer look at any one of them, or for an airline that isn’t in the table, these guides go further.
Best carry-on bags by airline
- Best carry-on bag for Ryanair
- Best carry-on bag for Aer Lingus
- Best carry-on bag for Norwegian
- Best carry-on bag for Transavia
- Best carry-on bag for Vueling
- Best carry-on bag for British Airways
- Best carry-on bag for TUI
- Best carry-on bag for Jet2
- Best carry-on bag for Wizz Air
- Best carry-on bags for easyJet
Airline hand luggage policies in more depth
- TUI hand luggage: the complete guide
- TUI excess baggage fees
- Virgin Atlantic hand luggage
- Virgin Atlantic baggage allowance
- How strict is easyJet with hand luggage?
- easyJet baggage allowance
- How strict is Jet2 with hand luggage?
- Jet2 baggage allowance
- Are Ryanair strict with hand luggage?
Kate Acaster is Chief Editor at Flight Tribe. She writes about practical travel planning, budget airlines, baggage rules, city breaks, beach holidays and good hotels that do not cost daft money.
Kate has travelled through Europe, South America and beyond, usually with a notebook, a half-formed plan and a strong opinion on airport snacks. At Flight Tribe, her work focuses on helping UK travellers understand what is included, what costs extra, and whether a trip is worth booking at the price shown.
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