Planning a city break to Barcelona or a long weekend in the South of France? If you’re travelling with hand luggage this summer, it’s time to get up to speed with European airline restrictions. From EasyJet to Ryanair and Wizz Air, budget carriers are more stringent than ever – so pre-planning is essential. It’s a fine balance between maximising your carry-on space and avoiding a fee at the gate. While the best packing cubes can help, it mostly comes down to having the right size bag.
Airline Hand Luggage Size Rules
Every European airline has different rules, which are often subject to change. For example, Ryanair recently reduced its ‘small personal bag’ down to just 40cm x 30cm x 20cm. British Airways, on the other hand, generously offers both a personal bag and a carry-on case in its tickets (Jet2, Lufthansa, Iberia and Air France all provide this, too). Wizz Air only allows a small underseat bag, while EasyJet offers a slightly larger personal bag. You can upgrade your ticket to include a larger carry-on bag, but it’s always cheaper to do this ahead of time rather than at the airport.
“Having a clear policy for cabin bags makes the boarding process faster and more efficient for customers by reducing potential delays and inconvenience for passengers caused by needing to offload extra bags and stowing them in the hold, if there isn’t room for them onboard,” Antonio Shabbir from EasyJet’s customer service team explains. “There are several factors that inform this, including space on board and weight limits to align with safety and industry standards.”
Airline-by-Airline Hand Luggage Allowances
EasyJet
- Free personal item: 45 x 36 x 20 cm
- Standard cabin size: 56cm x 45cm x 25cm (upgraded)
Ryanair
- Free personal item: 40cm x 30cm x 20cm
- Standard cabin size: 55cm x 40cm x 20cm (priority ticket)
Wizz Air
- Free personal item: 40cm x 30cm x 20cm
- Standard cabin size: 55cm x 40cm x 23cm (priority ticket)
Jet2
- Free personal item: 40cm x 30cm x 20cm
- Standard cabin size: 56cm x 45cm x 25cm (included)
TUI
- Free personal item: 40cm x 30cm x 20cm
- Standard cabin size: 55cm x 40cm x 20cm (included)
British Airways
- Free personal item: 40cm x 30cm x 15cm
- Standard cabin size: 56cm x 45cm x 25cm (included)
Air France
- Free personal item: 40cm x 30cm x 15cm
- Standard cabin size: 55cm x 40cm x 23cm (included)
Best Cabin Bags for 2026
Antler Overnight Black Cabin Bag
Complies with: EasyJet, Jet2, TUI, British Airways, Air France. Dimensions: 28 x 45 x 20 cm. The Antler overnight bag comes in a range of colours, including black, green, navy and taupe. Inside, the elasticated pockets help keep all your essentials organised, while the fold-down sides ensure it meets cabin baggage personal bag restrictions. Designed with a detachable shoulder strap and an innovative suitcase sleeve that slides easily over your luggage handle, travelling through the airport will be effortless. £87, Antler.co.uk
Ecohub Cabin Bag
Complies with: EasyJet, RyanAir, Wizzair, British Airways, Jet2, TUI, Air France. Dimensions: 40 x 30 x 20cm. Complying with Ryanair’s smallest ‘underseat’ bag allowance, this Ecohub bag can be used on flights with all its competitors, too. The affordable bag meets every airline's requirements, with its compact, zipped design ensuring you don’t get caught out at the gate for overpacking. Complete with both shoulder straps and a cross-body for easy carrying, the brand claim it’s waterproof, too. £18.99, Amazon.co.uk
Narwey Bag
Complies with: Wizz Air, Ryanair, Jet2, TUI. Dimensions: 40cm x 20cm x 25cm. This bag goes viral every summer – and it’s not hard to see why. Affordably priced at less than £15, the luggage bag features a zip for keeping belongings securely stowed away and shoulder handles for carrying with ease. There’s a side zip for your passport or headphones, and users have testified that it packs in far more than it looks. £9.99, Amazon.co.uk
Bagzy Underseat Cabin Bag
Complies with: British Airways, Air France. Dimensions: 40cm x 30cm x 15cm. British Airways and Air France’s hand luggage restrictions allow for both a personal bag and a larger cabin size. This means the personal bag size is smaller than other budget airlines. Aerolite’s rucksack fits the brief, boasting an 18l capacity and adjustable padded straps. Alongside the main interior, there’s a zipped outer pocket for small items. £19.99, Amazon.co.uk
Dunelm Cabin Suitcase
Complies with: EasyJet, Wizz Air and Jet2 (large cabin bag). Dimensions: 55 cm x 40 cm x 20 cm. Dunelm’s cheap and cheerful green suitcase features spinner wheels and generous capacity. Every bit as practical as it is stylish, the retractable handle and top handle help you lift the luggage onto the security belt. Inside, compression straps keep your clothes and accessories organised. £30, Dunelm.com
M&S Mykonos Hard Shell Suitcase
Complies with: EasyJet (large cabin bag). Dimensions: 55cm x 35cm x 21cm. This M&S hard shell case will see you roll through the airport gate with ease if you’ve upgraded your ticket on EasyJet. Available in four sleek colours, the retailer is rivalling the likes of Antler and Away when it comes to stylish suitcases. £60, Marksandspencer.com
Antler Cabin Suitcase
Complies with: Wizz Air, Ryanair, Jet2, TUI (large cabin bag). Dimensions: 55cm x 40cm x 20cm. Antler is the suitcase brand you likely see all over your social media feeds. Combining pure practicality with stylish colourways and chic matte finishes, its cases are durable and sturdy enough to make the price a little more palatable. Now’s the time to snap up this generously sized carry-on case, as it’s currently on sale. £136, Antler.co.uk
Carl Friedrik The Carry-On
Complies with: British Airways, Air France (large cabin bag). Dimensions: 56cm x 37cm x 23cm. Carl Friedrik has been spotted in both Succession and The White Lotus, thanks to its premium-looking luggage that drips in quiet luxury. This silver case with a tan strap is my preferred hand luggage for British Airways flights. Instead of fiddly zips, the case boasts lock closures, which help me close the case with ease, despite it being packed to the brim. £445, Carlfriedrik.com
