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That cabin bag may look small enough at home, but the real test comes when you reach the airport.
UK hand luggage size rules in 2026 vary by airline, fare and route. A bag that is included for free with one airline may need a paid upgrade with another, while a suitcase that fits one airline's cabin allowance may be too large for another carrier's free personal-item allowance.
This guide compares the current hand luggage size, weight and cabin bag rules for major airlines used by UK travellers, including Ryanair, easyJet, Jet2, British Airways, TUI, Wizz Air, Virgin Atlantic, Emirates and Qatar Airways.
The important thing is not to look for one universal "UK cabin bag size". There isn't one. Check the airline, your fare and your departure airport before you pack.
Here is the quickest way to compare the main airlines.
| Airline | Free under-seat / small bag | Overhead cabin bag | Weight limit | Main restriction |
| Ryanair | 40 × 30 × 20 cm | 55 × 40 × 20 cm with Priority & 2 Cabin Bags | 10kg for Priority cabin bag | Overhead bag requires Priority |
| easyJet | 45 × 36 × 20 cm | 56 × 45 × 25 cm with large cabin bag allowance | Up to 15kg | Large cabin bag must be included in your booking |
| Jet2 | Small personal item | 56 × 45 × 25 cm | 10kg | One 10kg cabin bag included |
| British Airways | 40 × 30 × 15 cm personal item | 56 × 45 × 25 cm | Up to 23kg | You must be able to lift the bag yourself |
| TUI Airways | Small personal item | 55 × 40 × 20 cm | 10kg | Check the allowance attached to your booking |
| Wizz Air | 40 × 30 × 20 cm | 55 × 40 × 23 cm with WIZZ Priority | 10kg | Larger trolley bag requires WIZZ Priority |
| Virgin Atlantic | Depends on cabin/fare | Depends on cabin/fare | Depends on cabin | Check your booking |
| Emirates | Depends on cabin | 55 × 38 × 22 cm in Economy | Depends on cabin | Allowance varies by cabin and route |
| Qatar Airways | Depends on fare/route | 50 × 37 × 25 cm in Economy | 7kg in Economy | Cabin allowance varies by cabin |
Airline allowances can change, and some fares or routes have different conditions. Always check the allowance attached to your booking before travelling.
For example, Ryanair currently lists one free personal bag at 40 × 30 × 20 cm, while its Priority & 2 Cabin Bags option adds a 10kg bag measuring 55 × 40 × 20 cm.
easyJet's free small cabin bag is 45 × 36 × 20 cm, including handles and wheels. Its larger 56 × 45 × 25 cm cabin bag is available when the relevant allowance is included or purchased.
Jet2's standard hand luggage allowance is 56 × 45 × 25 cm with a maximum weight of 10 kg.
Budget airlines are where hand luggage rules can make the biggest difference to your final trip cost.
The cheapest fare often includes only a small bag that fits beneath the seat. If you want a traditional rolling cabin suitcase for the overhead locker, you may need to pay for an additional cabin-bag allowance.
| Airline | Free bag | Larger cabin bag | Weight | When you may need to pay |
| Ryanair | 40 × 30 × 20 cm | 55 × 40 × 20 cm | 10kg for larger bag | Priority required for larger cabin bag |
| easyJet | 45 × 36 × 20 cm | 56 × 45 × 25 cm | Up to 15kg | Large cabin bag must be included or added |
| Wizz Air | 40 × 30 × 20 cm | 55 × 40 × 23 cm | 10kg | WIZZ Priority required for larger bag |
Ryanair's free allowance is one small personal bag measuring up to:
40 × 30 × 20 cm
It must fit beneath the seat in front of you.
If you purchase Priority & 2 Cabin Bags, you can also bring a larger cabin bag measuring up to:
55 × 40 × 20 cm
The larger bag can weigh up to 10kg.
This is one of the most important Ryanair rules to check before buying a suitcase. A conventional cabin trolley may look perfectly reasonable but still be too large for the free allowance.
Every easyJet passenger can bring one small cabin bag free of charge.
Maximum dimensions:
45 × 36 × 20 cm
The dimensions include handles and wheels, and the bag must fit beneath the seat. easyJet states a maximum weight of 15kg for the small cabin bag.
If you have the appropriate allowance, easyJet also permits a larger cabin bag measuring up to:
56 × 45 × 25 cm
The large cabin bag also has a 15kg maximum weight. The price for adding it can vary according to demand, route, flight and when you book it.
So if you know you want a proper overhead cabin case, it is worth adding the allowance when booking rather than assuming you can simply take the case to the airport.
40 × 30 × 20 cm
with a maximum weight of 10kg. It must fit underneath the seat in front of you.
With WIZZ Priority, you can take a larger trolley bag measuring up to:
55 × 40 × 23 cm
with a maximum weight of 10kg.
Again, the important distinction is between the free under-seat bag and the larger Priority cabin bag.
Jet2, British Airways and TUI work differently from the typical low-cost model.
| Airline | Personal item | Cabin bag | Weight | Key point |
| Jet2 | Small personal item | 56 × 45 × 25 cm | 10kg | One standard cabin bag included |
| British Airways | 40 × 30 × 15 cm | 56 × 45 × 25 cm | Up to 23kg | You must be able to lift the bag |
| TUI | Small personal item | 55 × 40 × 20 cm | 10kg | Check your booking allowance |
Jet2 allows one piece of hand luggage up to:
56 × 45 × 25 cm
including wheels, with a maximum weight of 10kg.
Jet2 also allows a small personal item that can be placed under the seat.
That makes Jet2's allowance considerably more straightforward for travellers who want to take a conventional cabin suitcase without paying for a separate Priority-style upgrade.
Cabin bag: 56 × 45 × 25 cm
Handbag or small backpack: 40 × 30 × 15 cm
The cabin bag allowance can weigh up to 23kg, although BA says you must be able to lift your own bag into the overhead locker without assistance.
This is an important difference from many low-cost airlines. A BA passenger may have a much higher permitted cabin-bag weight, but that does not mean the bag can be so heavy that you cannot safely place it in the overhead locker.
Always check your individual booking, particularly if your flight is operated by a partner airline.
TUI's standard hand luggage allowance is:
55 × 40 × 20 cm
with a maximum weight of 10kg per piece. TUI also allows a small personal item that can go under the seat.
TUI's exact allowance can depend on your booking, so check your holiday or flight confirmation before packing.
Long-haul airlines often give you a different baggage allowance depending on your cabin.
That means the hand luggage rules for Economy can be very different from Premium Economy, Business or First Class.
Long-Haul Cabin Bag Comparison
| Airline | Cabin | Cabin bag size | Weight |
| Virgin Atlantic | Varies | Check your booking | Varies |
| Emirates | Economy | 55 × 38 × 22 cm | 7kg |
| Emirates | Premium Economy | Check booking | 10kg |
| Qatar Airways | Economy | 50 × 37 × 25 cm | 7kg |
| Qatar Airways | Business/First | Check booking | Higher allowance |
Virgin Atlantic's cabin baggage allowance varies by cabin and fare.
Rather than relying on a generic "Virgin cabin bag size", check the baggage allowance attached to your specific booking before you pack.
This is particularly important if your journey includes a codeshare or connecting flight operated by another airline. The operating carrier may have different cabin baggage rules.
Emirates uses cabin-specific allowances, so Economy, Premium Economy, Business and First Class passengers should check the allowance attached to their booking.
For many Economy journeys, the cabin bag limit is:
55 × 38 × 22 cm
with a 7kg maximum weight.
Premium Economy can have a higher weight allowance, while Business and First Class have different baggage arrangements.
Because Emirates can apply different rules by cabin and route, check the official baggage allowance for your exact booking before you travel.
Qatar Airways' Economy cabin baggage allowance is generally:
50 × 37 × 25 cm
with a maximum weight of 7kg.
Business and First Class passengers can have a higher allowance, including more than one cabin item subject to the applicable combined weight limit.
There can also be route-specific conditions, so check your booking if you are travelling through the US or another destination with additional security requirements.
This is one of the easiest parts of airline baggage rules to misunderstand.
A personal item is usually the smaller bag designed to fit underneath the seat. Think of a small backpack, handbag or laptop bag.
A cabin bag is generally the larger case designed to go into the overhead locker. The problem is that airlines do not use identical definitions or dimensions.
For example:
Ryanair's free bag is 40 × 30 × 20 cm
easyJet's free small cabin bag is 45 × 36 × 20 cm
Wizz Air's free bag is 40 × 30 × 20 cm
Jet2's standard hand luggage allowance includes a 56 × 45 × 25 cm cabin bag
So a suitcase marketed as "airline cabin size" is not necessarily accepted by every airline.
There is no single cabin suitcase size that guarantees compliance across all UK airlines. If you regularly fly different carriers, check the smallest allowance among the airlines you use before buying luggage.
A suitcase can be only a few centimetres over the limit and still fail the airline's baggage sizer. Before you travel, measure the bag as it will actually be used.
Step 1: Measure the height
Measure from the lowest point of the bag to its highest point.
Include wheels where they form part of the bag's external dimensions.
Step 2: Measure the width
Measure the widest part of the suitcase.
Do not measure only the central body if side pockets or other permanent features make the bag wider.
Step 3: Measure the depth
Measure the bag from front to back when it is packed.
Expandable cases deserve particular attention. If you have expanded the case, it may no longer fit within the airline's published dimensions.
Step 4: Check wheels and handles
Some airlines specifically state that their dimensions include wheels and handles. easyJet, for example, explicitly includes them in its small cabin-bag dimensions.
Step 5: Weigh it when packed
Do not weigh an empty suitcase and assume you are safe.
Clothes, shoes, toiletries, electronics and souvenirs can add up quickly.
Your final packed weight is the number that matters.
Your airline's baggage allowance and airport security rules are two different things.
Your airline decides how large and heavy your bag can be.
Airport security decides what you can take through the security checkpoint.
So you can have a bag that is perfectly acceptable for your airline and still have an item removed at security.
| Item | Standard rule to remember | What you should do |
| Shampoo | 100ml container limit at standard UK security | Check your departure airport |
| Toothpaste | Treated as a liquid/gel | Use a suitable container |
| Perfume | 100ml container limit at standard security | Check airport guidance |
| Deodorant | Rules depend on the product and airport | Check before packing |
| Medication | Essential medication can have exemptions | Carry supporting evidence if required |
| Baby milk/food | Exemptions can apply | Check airport guidance |
| Power bank | Cabin baggage only | Check Wh rating and airline rules |
| Empty water bottle | Can generally pass security empty | Fill it after security where permitted |
At standard UK security checkpoints, yes.
The CAA's current passenger guidance states that liquids, aerosols and gels in hand baggage cannot be carried through the security point in containers larger than 100ml under current UK aviation security regulations. Some airport procedures can differ, so travellers should check their departure airport before travelling.
This is particularly important if you are travelling from one airport and returning through another.
The rules can also change as airport security systems are upgraded.
The term "liquid" covers more than drinks.
Depending on the security rules at your airport, it can include:
Drinks, shampoo, shower gel, toothpaste, creams, gels, aerosols, mascara, liquid foundation, some cosmetics, and other substances with a similar consistency.
If your departure airport is applying the standard 100ml container limit, a 200ml container is not permitted through security even if there is only a small amount left inside.
The important point is that the limit applies to the capacity of the container, not simply how much liquid remains inside.
Always check the latest rules for your departure airport before travelling.
Essential liquid medicines can be carried in hand luggage even when they exceed the normal 100ml limit.
You may need proof that the medication is prescribed or required, such as a prescription or letter from a medical professional. The CAA recommends contacting the airport in advance if you need to carry a large amount of medication or dietary liquids.
Baby milk and food can also have exemptions from standard liquid restrictions.
If you are unsure, check the guidance for your departure airport before packing.
Power banks are different from ordinary chargers and cables because they contain lithium batteries.
Under current CAA guidance, power banks:
Must be carried in carry-on baggage. Must not be placed in the aircraft hold. Must not be recharged on board. Should not be used to recharge another portable electronic device while on board. Are limited to two power banks per person. Power banks up to 100Wh can generally be carried without operator approval. Power banks above 100Wh and up to 160Wh require airline/operator approval.
If you are unsure how many watt-hours your power bank has, check the label or manufacturer's specifications before travelling.
Do not assume that because a power bank fits in your cabin bag, it is automatically permitted.
Most ordinary solid food can be carried in hand luggage, although there can be separate restrictions on taking food into your destination country.
Liquids and spreadable foods can fall under airport security's liquid rules.
Medication is generally permitted, including essential liquid medication above 100ml when the relevant conditions are met.
Other items, such as razors, scissors, sporting equipment and tools, have their own restrictions.
If you are unsure about a particular item, check the security guidance for your departure airport and the restricted-items information provided by your airline.
Before leaving for the airport, run through these checks:
Check your airline.
Check your fare type.
Check your route.
Check your free personal-item dimensions.
Check your cabin-bag dimensions.
Check the cabin-bag weight limit.
Measure the bag including relevant wheels and handles.
Weigh the bag after packing.
Check whether your suitcase is expandable.
Check your departure airport's liquid rules.
Check your power banks and spare batteries.
Check medication requirements.
Check airline-specific restricted items.
Keep your passport and essential travel documents accessible.
It takes a few minutes at home. It can save you from paying for an unexpected baggage upgrade or having to check your cabin bag at the airport.
If you only remember one section from this guide, make it this one.
| If you are asking... | The short answer |
| Is there one UK cabin bag size? | No. Airlines set their own limits. |
| Can I take a backpack for free? | Often yes, if it fits the airline's personal-item allowance. |
| Can I take a cabin suitcase for free? | Depends on the airline and fare. |
| Do wheels count? | They can. Check the airline's published dimensions. |
| Can I take toothpaste? | Yes, subject to airport security liquid rules. |
| Can I take a power bank? | Yes, subject to capacity and airline/CAA rules. |
| Can I use the same cabin bag on every airline? | Not necessarily. Check each airline's dimensions. |
| Should I weigh my cabin bag? | Yes, if your airline has a weight limit. |
| Can airport security have different rules from my airline? | Yes. Airline baggage rules and airport security rules are separate. |
Hand luggage is only one part of being ready to travel.
Your passport, visa and other travel documents can be just as important as your suitcase, so don't leave those checks until the last minute.
A simple timeline helps:
| When | What to check |
| 8–12 weeks before | Passport validity, visa requirements and destination rules |
| 4–8 weeks before | Visas, permits and other travel authorisations |
| 1–3 weeks before | Insurance, bookings and supporting documents |
| 24–48 hours before | Flight status, baggage allowance and airport security rules |
| At the airport | Passport, boarding pass and essential documents |
For a more detailed guide, see our Documents Needed to Travel Abroad: The Essential 2026 Checklist for UK Citizens.
Your baggage allowance can make a bigger difference to the real cost of a flight than the headline fare suggests.
A £50 flight may not feel like a £50 trip once you add a cabin-bag upgrade, checked luggage, seat selection and other extras. That is why it is worth checking the total travel cost, not just the advertised ticket price.
You can compare flights with TravelApp and check the baggage conditions attached to your booking before you travel.
If you are planning a complete holiday rather than flights alone, you can also explore TravelApp's holiday packages, with ATOL protection where applicable.
And if you are comparing low-cost airlines specifically, our guide to the best budget airlines for UK travellers can help you look beyond the headline fare.
Quick answers to common questions. Reach out if you need more help.
There is no single standard UK hand luggage size. Each airline sets its own dimensions and weight limits. For example, Ryanair's free personal bag is 40 × 30 × 20 cm, easyJet's free small cabin bag is 45 × 36 × 20 cm, while Jet2's standard hand luggage allowance is 56 × 45 × 25 cm. Always check the airline and fare you have booked.
Ryanair's free personal bag can measure up to 40 × 30 × 20 cm and must fit beneath the seat. With Priority & 2 Cabin Bags, you can also take a 55 × 40 × 20 cm cabin bag weighing up to 10kg.
easyJet's free small cabin bag can measure up to 45 × 36 × 20 cm, including wheels and handles. A larger cabin bag can measure up to 56 × 45 × 25 cm when the relevant allowance is included or purchased.
Jet2 allows one piece of hand luggage up to 56 × 45 × 25 cm, including wheels, with a maximum weight of 10kg.
British Airways allows a cabin bag measuring up to 56 × 45 × 25 cm plus a smaller handbag or backpack measuring up to 40 × 30 × 15 cm. The cabin bag can weigh up to 23kg, but you must be able to lift it into the overhead locker yourself.
Yes. Power banks must be carried in your cabin baggage rather than checked baggage. Current CAA guidance limits passengers to two power banks each, with additional rules covering their capacity, protection and use on board.
Yes. Toothpaste, creams, gels, aerosols and similar toiletries can fall under airport liquid restrictions. The CAA specifically includes toothpaste within its guidance on liquids and similar substances.
Not where the standard 100ml container limit applies. The important point is the capacity of the container, rather than how much liquid remains inside it. Check your departure airport's current security rules before travelling.
They can. Airlines may specify that their published dimensions include wheels and handles. easyJet explicitly includes wheels and handles in its small cabin-bag dimensions, while other airlines have their own wording. The safest approach is to measure the bag as it will actually be presented at the airport.
No. There is no universal cabin-bag size that guarantees compliance with every airline. If you regularly fly different carriers, check the smallest allowance among the airlines you use before buying a suitcase.
