The Latest Travel Advice - Hand luggage guidance

Hand luggage refers to the bags you carry through security and keep with you for your whole journey. Our general advice is to keep hand luggage to a minimum when possible. The general guidance for hand luggage is as follows: 

• You can carry one piece of hand luggage (with some exceptions). This must not exceed 56cm x 45cm x 25cm. Most airlines do also allow passengers to carry a handbag too, but please check with your airline to make sure
• Your hand luggage must not contain any prohibited items
• If you do take liquids in your hand luggage, these cannot be in metal or double walled containers. All other liquid containers can now hold up to two litres and can remain in your hand luggage for security screening

Ryanair Hand Luggage Allowance (2026)

Free with every ticket

You can bring one small personal bag that must fit under the seat in front of you:

• Maximum size: 40 × 30 × 20 cm
• Examples:
  • Small backpack
  • Handbag
  • Laptop bag

There is no separate allowance for a handbag; it must fit within your one free bag allowance.

If you buy Priority & 2 Cabin Bags

You can bring:

1. One small personal bag
   • 40 × 30 × 20 cm
2. One 10 kg cabin bag
   • Maximum size: 55 × 40 × 20 cm
   • Stored in the overhead locker. 

Checked baggage options

Ryanair also offers:

• 10 kg check-in bag
• 20 kg check-in bag
• 23 kg check-in bag

These travel in the aircraft hold.

Important advice

Ryanair is known for enforcing baggage rules strictly. If your bag exceeds the permitted dimensions, you may have to pay a substantial fee at the gate. Community reports consistently recommend assuming zero flexibility and ensuring your bag fits comfortably inside the baggage sizer.

Practical packing tip

For a standard Ryanair ticket (without Priority), a 20–25 litre backpack is usually ideal and can hold enough for a 2–4 day trip if packed efficiently.

View the Ryanair policy here 

easyJet Hand Luggage Allowance (2026)

Included with every ticket

You can bring one small cabin bag free of charge:

• Maximum size: 45 × 36 × 20 cm (including wheels and handles)
• Must fit under the seat in front of you
• Examples:
  • Small backpack
  • Handbag
  • Laptop bag

easyJet states that this bag can weigh up to 15 kg, provided you can lift and carry it yourself.

If you've paid for a Large Cabin Bag or have an Up Front/Extra Legroom seat

You may bring:

1. One small under-seat bag
   • 45 × 36 × 20 cm
2. One large cabin bag
   • 56 × 45 × 25 cm
   • Maximum weight: 15 kg
   • Stored in the overhead locker
   • Includes Speedy Boarding. 

Maximum number of cabin bags

easyJet allows up to two bags in the cabin:

• One small under-seat bag (included for everyone).
• One large cabin bag (if purchased or included with your fare). 

Practical advice

easyJet staff are known to check bag sizes, especially hard-shell cases. Wheels and handles count towards the dimensions, and bags that don't fit the sizer may incur additional charges. Community reports suggest assuming the rules will be enforced strictly.

View the easyjet policy here 

Wizz Air Hand Luggage Allowance (2026)

Included with every ticket

You can bring one small cabin bag free of charge:

• Maximum size: 40 × 30 × 20 cm
• Maximum weight: 10 kg
• Must fit under the seat in front of you. 

Examples:

• Small backpack
• Handbag
• Laptop bag

If you purchase WIZZ Priority

You can bring:

1. One small under-seat bag
   • 40 × 30 × 20 cm
2. One larger cabin bag
   • 55 × 40 × 23 cm
   • Maximum weight: 10 kg
   • Stored in the overhead locker. 

Practical advice

Wizz Air is one of the strictest airlines in Europe when it comes to baggage checks. Community experience suggests that if your bag is borderline, you should assume it will be measured, especially if you are travelling without Priority. Soft bags that can compress into the sizer are generally safer than rigid cases.

View the Wizzair policy here 

TUI Airways Hand Luggage Allowance (2026)

Included with every ticket

Unlike Ryanair, easyJet and Wizz Air, TUI includes a full-size cabin bag as standard.

You can bring:

1. One cabin bag
   • Maximum size: 55 × 40 × 20 cm
   • Maximum weight: 10 kg
   • Stored in the overhead locker.
2. One small personal item
   • Maximum size: 40 × 30 × 20 cm
   • Must fit under the seat in front of you.
   • Examples:
     • Handbag
     • Laptop bag
     • Small backpack 

Hold luggage

On most TUI package holidays, you also receive:

• 20 kg checked baggage included.
• Some premium holidays include 25 kg.

View the Wizzair policy here 

British Airways Hand Luggage Allowance (2026)

Included with every ticket

British Airways has one of the most generous cabin baggage policies among major airlines.

You can bring:

1. One cabin bag

• Maximum size: 56 × 45 × 25 cm (including wheels and handles)
• Maximum weight: 23 kg
• Stored in the overhead locker.

2. One personal item

• Maximum size: 40 × 30 × 15 cm
• Must fit under the seat in front of you.
• Examples:
  • Handbag
  • Laptop bag
  • Small backpack

You must be able to lift your cabin bag into the overhead locker yourself.

View the British Airways policy here