Last updated: July 12, 2026
Cabin bag fees and gate-side surprises are one of the most stressful parts of flying budget airlines. The good news for 2026: a new EU standard is tidying up the rules. This guide breaks down the hand luggage size rules for 2026 across Ryanair, easyJet, British Airways and Jet2 — exact dimensions, weights, what is free, and how to avoid a fee at the gate.
Quick answer
- Ryanair: free under-seat bag 40 x 30 x 20 cm; add Priority for a 10 kg, 55 x 40 x 20 cm cabin bag.
- easyJet: the most generous free bag — 45 x 36 x 20 cm (up to 15 kg) under the seat.
- British Airways: two bags free — 40 x 30 x 15 cm plus a 56 x 45 x 25 cm cabin bag, up to 23 kg each.
- Jet2: a 10 kg cabin bag up to 56 x 45 x 25 cm, plus a small under-seat bag.
- Universal safe size: a bag no bigger than 40 x 30 x 15 cm fits the free allowance on all four.
Hand luggage size rules 2026: airline comparison
| Airline | Free under-seat bag | Larger cabin bag | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ryanair | 40 x 30 x 20 cm | 55 x 40 x 20 cm (Priority only) | 10 kg (large bag) |
| easyJet | 45 x 36 x 20 cm | 56 x 45 x 25 cm (with a plan/seat) | Up to 15 kg |
| British Airways | 40 x 30 x 15 cm | 56 x 45 x 25 cm (free) | Up to 23 kg each |
| Jet2 | 40 x 30 x 20 cm | 56 x 45 x 25 cm (free) | 10 kg (cabin bag) |
Dimensions include handles and wheels. Allowances are the current 2026 rules and can change — always check your airline before you fly.
Ryanair hand luggage size
Ryanair hand luggage starts with one free small bag that must fit under the seat in front of you, sized up to 40 x 30 x 20 cm — recently enlarged from 40 x 25 x 20 cm to meet the new EU standard. To bring a second, larger bag you need Priority & 2 Cabin Bags, which adds a 10 kg bag up to 55 x 40 x 20 cm in the overhead locker. Without Priority, an oversized bag at the gate means a fee, so measure carefully. For the full breakdown, see our dedicated Ryanair cabin bag size guide.
easyJet hand luggage size
easyJet hand luggage is the most generous of the budget airlines for the free bag: every passenger can bring one under-seat bag up to 45 x 36 x 20 cm, weighing up to 15 kg. For a bigger 56 x 45 x 25 cm cabin bag in the locker, you need an Up Front, Extra Legroom or FLEXI fare, or a Plus membership. For the full breakdown, see our dedicated easyJet hand luggage size guide.
British Airways hand luggage size
British Airways hand luggage is the best value on this list: even on the cheapest fares you get two bags free — a small under-seat bag up to 40 x 30 x 15 cm plus a larger cabin bag up to 56 x 45 x 25 cm, each up to 23 kg. On very busy flights BA may ask you to check the larger bag into the hold for free if the lockers fill up.
Jet2 hand luggage size
Jet2 hand luggage includes a 10 kg cabin bag up to 56 x 45 x 25 cm as standard — no separate “priority” purchase needed — plus one small under-seat bag (handbag, laptop bag or airport purchase) up to 40 x 30 x 20 cm. That makes Jet2 one of the simpler airlines for hand luggage. For the full breakdown, see our dedicated Jet2 hand luggage & baggage allowance guide.
The new EU cabin bag standard
From 2024 into 2026, the EU has been standardising cabin baggage to end the confusion between airlines. The agreed reference sizes are a main cabin bag up to 55 x 40 x 20 cm and a personal/under-seat item up to 40 x 30 x 15 cm. The change also pushes low-cost carriers to include a basic carry-on and a personal item in the fare, which is why Ryanair increased its free bag size. Rules are still settling, so the exact allowance can vary by airline for now.
How to avoid hand luggage fees
- Measure with wheels and handles. Airlines measure the bag’s largest points, and gate staff use a sizer that does too.
- Buy to the smallest airline you use. A 40 x 30 x 15 cm bag fits the free allowance on all four airlines here.
- Weigh it at home. Weight limits (10–23 kg) are enforced as strictly as size on many airlines.
- Pack a packing list, not extra “just in case” items — our Packing List Generator helps you pack light enough to stay within the free bag.
- Add Priority before the airport. Buying an extra bag at the gate costs far more than online.
Gate fees are steep. An oversized bag charged at the gate can cost £45 or more — usually more than the price of adding the allowance when you book.
Frequently asked questions
What size is Ryanair’s free hand luggage in 2026?
One small bag up to 40 x 30 x 20 cm that fits under the seat. A larger 10 kg, 55 x 40 x 20 cm cabin bag requires Priority & 2 Cabin Bags.
What size is easyJet’s free cabin bag?
easyJet allows a free under-seat bag up to 45 x 36 x 20 cm and 15 kg — the most generous free allowance of the budget airlines.
What is British Airways’ hand luggage allowance?
BA includes two bags free on most fares: a 40 x 30 x 15 cm under-seat bag and a 56 x 45 x 25 cm cabin bag, each up to 23 kg.
What is Jet2’s hand luggage allowance?
Jet2 gives you a 10 kg cabin bag up to 56 x 45 x 25 cm as standard, plus a small under-seat bag up to 40 x 30 x 20 cm.
What is the new EU standard cabin bag size?
A main cabin bag up to 55 x 40 x 20 cm and a personal item up to 40 x 30 x 15 cm. The EU is also pushing airlines to include a basic carry-on and personal item in the fare.
What is the biggest free hand luggage of these airlines?
easyJet’s free 45 x 36 x 20 cm under-seat bag is the largest single free bag, while BA gives you the most overall by including two free bags.
What size bag fits all four airlines for free?
A bag no larger than 40 x 30 x 15 cm fits the free under-seat allowance on Ryanair, easyJet, British Airways and Jet2.
Do I have to pay for hand luggage?
All four airlines include at least one free bag. A second, larger cabin bag is free on BA and Jet2 but costs extra on Ryanair (Priority) and easyJet (certain fares or Plus).
Is hand luggage measured with wheels and handles included?
Yes. Stated dimensions include wheels and handles, and gate sizers are built to those exact measurements.
How much does an oversized bag cost at the gate?
Gate fees vary but can be £45 or more, typically far higher than adding the allowance when you book online.
Does my free bag have a weight limit?
Often yes. easyJet’s free bag allows up to 15 kg, BA up to 23 kg, and Jet2’s cabin bag is 10 kg. Ryanair focuses on size for the free small bag.
Will hand luggage rules change again in 2026?
Possibly. The EU standard is still being adopted, so allowances may shift. Always confirm your airline’s current rules before you travel.
Sources
Based on the airlines’ published 2026 hand luggage policies and EU cabin baggage guidance, including Your Europe (European Union). Checked June 2026 — allowances change, so confirm with your airline before booking.
Reviewed by Muhammad Umar Khan
Founder and editor of TripBuffer. Reviewed against official airport, airline and transport-provider information. For our research standards, see the Editorial Policy.