Navigating airline baggage policies can be confusing, as rules vary between airlines and from country to country.
A standard cabin bag is around 55 x 40 x 20cm and weighs no more than 10kg, but every airline sets its own limit. Most UK airlines also allow one smaller under-seat bag, typically 40 x 30 x 20cm or 40 x 30 x 15cm.
This guide lists the current cabin bag and hand luggage sizes for the airlines UK travellers fly most, explains the terminology, and shows which Stubble & Co bags fit each allowance.
Multiple terms describe cabin bags (carry-on, hand luggage, cabin luggage, flight bag, personal item) and hold luggage (checked baggage, hold baggage, cargo hold luggage). Airlines distinguish between bags stored under seats versus overhead lockers, with different size and weight limitations.
In plain terms: a personal item or under-seat bag is the small bag that goes under the seat in front of you; a cabin bag or carry-on is the larger bag that goes in the overhead locker; hold luggage or checked baggage is the bag you hand over at the desk and collect from the carousel. Luggage that goes under the plane is hold luggage.
Carry-on bag, Hand luggage, Carry-on luggage, Carry-on suitcase, Cabin luggage, Hand baggage, Carry-on baggage, Travel bag, Aeroplane bag, Overhead bag, Flight bag, Personal item, In-flight bag, On-board bag, Wheeled carry-on, Small suitcase, Boarding bag, Transit bag, Cabin case, In-cabin bag.
Checked luggage, Checked baggage, Checked bags, Checked suitcases, Hold baggage, Hold bags, Checked-in luggage, Checked-in baggage, Cargo luggage, Checked-in bags, Hold suitcases, Stowed luggage, Stowed baggage, Cargo hold luggage, Cargo hold baggage, Registered luggage, Registered baggage, Main luggage, Main baggage, Airline hold luggage, Airline hold baggage, Luggage in the hold, Baggage in the hold.
A 30L backpack usually counts as an overhead cabin bag rather than an under-seat bag.
Most 30L packs measure around 50 x 30 x 20cm when full, which is inside the:
It will not fit a 40 x 30 x 20cm under-seat limit unless it is lightly packed and soft-sided.
The Stubble & Co Kit Bag 30L and Hybrid Backpack 30L are both sized to the overhead cabin allowance; dimensions are on each product page.
A 20L backpack, such as the Roll Top 20L or Everyday Backpack 20L, is the size to choose if you want a bag that goes under the seat on most airlines.
Packing efficiently can make a significant difference in your travel experience, saving you time, space, and sometimes even money when you don't have to buy an additional bag. Whether you're heading out on a short business trip or embarking on a long holiday, knowing how to organise your belongings effectively is key.
To avoid unnecessary charges, whether it is the size of your luggage or the overall weight.
acking cubes are a great way to organise your clothes and maximise your space within your luggage. The best way to pack them is to pack by category — one for tops, one for trousers, etc. Our packing cubes come in 2.5L, 8L and 11L; see how to use packing cubes for a layout that works in a cabin bag.
Rolling your clothes and smaller items saves space and prevents creasing, so there's no need to iron. Try putting smaller items into shoes such as socks.
Keep your electrical devices and liquids at the top of your bag or in accessible pockets. Pre-pack liquids into a clear plastic bag before your trip, and ensure each individual item is under the 100ml limit — the container itself must be 100ml or less, so a 200ml bottle that's half full still won't clear security.
Weigh your bag at home before you leave, and again for the return trip, to avoid charges at check-in or the gate.
Wear your trainers or bigger outerwear items such as coats and hoodies to save space in your luggage.
Keep your phone, passport, a book and headphones in reach, along with any important documents. The Crossbody and The Shoulder Bag are good picks for quick access to these items.
*always check with your chosen airlines before travelling
Here is a guide to the size and weight allowances for popular airlines so you can ensure that your luggage will follow their rules. Note that this information may have changed but was accurate as of June 2024.
Hand Luggage:
Size: 40cm x 30cm x 15cm
Weight:23kg
Cabin Bag:
Size: 56cm x 45cm x 25cm
Weight: 23kg
Checked-in Luggage:
Size: 90cm x 75cm x 43cm
Weight: 23kg
Additional Information:
- Bags over 32kg will not be accepted.
- Bag weight cannot be pooled together and therefore the bags must be within the weight limit.
- Overweight bags will be charged per journey: £65/$100/$100(CAD)/€75
Hand Luggage:
Size: 45cm x 36cm x 20cm
Weight: 15kg - must fit under the seat in front of you
Cabin Bag:
Size: 56cm x 45cm x 25cm
Weight: 15kg - must fit in the overhead locker
Large Cabin Bag:
Size: 56cm x 45cm x 25cm
Checked-in Luggage:
Size: Under 275cm = length + width + height
Weight: 23kg
Additional Information:
- For bags weighing above 23kg, you can pay £15 for each additional 3kg with a maximum weight of 32kg.
- If you bag is heavier than your pre-booked weight, then there will be a charge of £12per kg, per item, per flight.
- EasyJet holidays include a 23kg bag
- EasyJet flights do not include a bag- cabin bags can cost £35 and a checked in bag can be £50.
Cabin Bag:
Size: 56cm x 45cm x 25cm
Weight: 10kg
Checked-in Luggage:
Size: N/A
Weight: 22kg
Additional Information:
- In addition to a cabin bag, passenger are also allowed to carry a small person item such as a handbag.
- For every kilo you bag is overweight, you will be charged £12 at the airport.
- A single bag cannot be over 32kg.
Hand Luggage:
Size: 40cm x 20cm x 25cm
Weight:15kg
Cabin Bag:
Size: 55cm x 40cm x 20cm
Weight: 10kg
Checked-in Luggage:
Size: 80cm x 120cm x 120cm
Weight: 20kg
Additional Information
- Hand luggage must be able to fit under the seat in front of you.
- A single bag can be no heavier than 32kg.
"Bag pooling" is allowed so 2 bags can have a combined weight of booked weight.
- If a bag is overweight, you will be charged £11 per kilo, per item, per journey.
Cabin Bag:
Size: 55cm x 40cm x 20cm
Weight: 10kg
Checked-in Luggage:
Size: N/A
Weight: 15kg, 20kg, 25kg
Additional Information:
- Cabin bags are free.
- The price of checked-in luggage varies dependant on the weight. 15kg=£60 / 20kg=£68 / 25kg=£78
Cabin Bag:
Size: 23cm x 36cm x 56cm
Weight: 10kg
Suitable Stubble & Co: Roll Top 20L, Roll Top 15L, Everyday, Kit Bag 30L
Checked-in Luggage:
Size: 90cm x 75cm x 43cm
Weight: 23kg
Suitable Stubble & Co: Travel Backpack 40L, Kit Bag 65L.
Additional Information:
- All tickets (apart from economy light) come with a checked-in bag.
- Additional bags can be brought, starting from £50.
Hand Luggage:
Size: 40cm x 30cm x 20cm
Weight: 10kg
Cabin Bag:
Size: 55cm x 40cm x 23cm
Weight: 10kg
Checked-in Luggage:
Size: 149cm x 119cm x 171cm
Weight: 10kg, 20kg, 26kg, 32kg
Additional Information:
- Every passenger gets a free hand luggage.
- If you book a priority ticket, you can take a cabin bag on board for free.
- Checked-in luggage is not complimentary and must be purchased.
Hand Luggage:
Size: 30cm x 40cm x 15cm
Weight: 12kg (combined with cabin bag)
Cabin Bag:
Size: 55cm x 35cm x 25cm
Weight: 12kg (combined with hand lugagge)
Checked-in Luggage:
Size: max 158cm (height + depth + width)
Weight: 23kg (economy + premium economy), 32kg (business).
Additional Information:
- In economy, you can take 1 hand baggage and 1 cabin baggage.
- In Premium Economy, you can take 1 hand baggage and 1 cabin baggage.
- There will be additional costs if you bag exceeds the dimensions but this is dependant on where you are flying to/from.
Hand Luggage:
Size: 45cm x 35cm x 20cm
Weight: N/A- It must fit under the seat in front.
Cabin Bag:
Size: 56cm x 36cm x 23cm
Weight: N/A- must be able to put it into the overhead locker unaided.
Checked-in Luggage:
Size: 158cm (height + width + depth)
Weight: 23kg and 32kg for Business and First Class passenger
Additional Information:
- Bags are all non-refundable once added onto your ticket.
- Bag fees differ based on your destination
Hand Luggage:
Size: 22cm x 25cm x 43cm
Weight: N/A- It must fit under the seat in front.
Cabin Bag:
Size: 23cm x 35cm x 56cm
Weight: N/A- must be able to put it into the overhead locker unaided.
Checked-in Luggage:
Size: 76cm x 52cm x 30cm
Weight: 23kg for Economy and Premium Economy passengers; 32kg for Business and First Class Passengers.
Additional Information:
- Complimentary hand luggage.
- For a cabin bag which is not pre-booked, you will be cahrged $25 at the gate.
- On their website there is a "baggage calculator" where you can enter your flight details and find out the baggage allowances and costs fir your individual trip.
Hand Luggage:
Size: 33cm x 16cm x 43cm
Weight: N/A- It must fit under the seat in front.
Cabin Bag:
Size: 55cm x 23cm x 40cm
Weight: N/A- must be able to put it into the overhead locker unaided.
Checked-in Luggage:
Size: N/A
Weight: N/A
Additional Information:
- All baggage allowance is based on the destination and route being taken. All information is on their website.
Keep all the essentials in reach so you can grab-and-go for a hassle free trip.
You may face an additional fee or be asked to place it in the hold underneath the plane. This means you will not have access to your belongings. Or, you may have to rearrange between your hold luggage and cabin luggage.
This does depend on your airline, often you have a cabin bag in the overhead locker and a personal hand luggage under the seat in front, check out this article for information about your airline or visit their website.
No. Each airline differs and it is important to check the luggage policy for the airline you are flying with.
No airline accepts a single piece of luggage above 32kg due to health and safety of luggage handlers at airports.
Measure the dimensions of your bag once it is packed and full, and compare them to the luggage policy of the airline you're flying with — remember to include the wheels, as they count toward the overall dimensions. If you're buying a new bag, look for one sized to 55 x 40 x 20cm or smaller — the tightest common overhead limit — so it works across Ryanair, TUI, Wizz Air and the larger allowances too.
Of course! It is cheaper to pre-book luggage when you book your flights than paying at the airport check in.
Some airlines have a point or loyalty scheme.
E.g., British Airways have Avios points which are collected by booking with them multiple times. These can then be used to pay for flights or upgrading your class.
There are dimensions of each product in the specifications section of the product page - compare these to the dimensions allowed by your airline. There's also a "carry-on" symbol; see an example on the Kit Bag 30L. One thing worth knowing: a rigid hardshell case behaves differently at the gate than a soft, squeezable backpack at the same stated size - some airlines' sizers are less forgiving of a hard shell, even when the numbers on paper match.
40 x 30 x 20cm is the under-seat personal item size used by Ryanair (from 2025) and Wizz Air. It's roughly a 20L to 24L backpack. The Roll Top 20L and Everyday Backpack 20L are built to this class of allowance.
