Hand luggage size and weight - an overview of cabin luggage allowance in different airlines

The rules regarding hand luggage (cabin luggage) size and weight limits vary between airlines, often causing travellers’ confusion. In order to avoid unnecessary stress on the day of your flight, as well as unexpected expenses, it is recommendable to confirm beforehand, what are the hand baggage restrictions of the carrier you are flying with.

Below is an overview of the hand luggage rules from different airlines, regarding the size and weight of the cabin suitcase /bag or other items transported in the cabin.

Data from early May 2014. Please note that, hand luggage rules are subject to frequent changes. Find-cheap-car-hire.co.uk is not responsible for any errors, omissions or changes in hand luggage policies of each airline.

The maximum cabin baggage size measurements include wheels, handles and any side-pockets of the suitcase. The above data applies to travel in economy class, in Europe.

Cabin luggage allowances by airline
Below you can find more detailed information on hand luggage allowance in particular carriers. The information was obtained from the airlines’ websites in early May 2014.

British Airways hand luggage restrictions – two pieces of hand baggage allowed

1 cabin bag measuring maximum 56x45x25 cm, weightup to 23 kg. 
1 personal bag measuring maximum 45x36x20 cm, weightup to 23 kg. 

In the event of lack of cabin storage space, passengers may be asked to check one or both bags, free of charge as long as they comply with the maximum size and weight limits.

Important note for passengers on code-share flights or connecting flights with a different airline: the above size and weight limits only apply on board of British Airways flights.

Air France cabin baggage allowance

1 cabin bag measuring maximum 55x35x25 cm.
1 accessory (handbag, portable computer, camera, etc).

The total weight of cabin luggage (cabin bag and accessory) cannot exceed 12 kg.

Additionally, one bag of duty-free good per person can be transported in the cabin.

Alitalia hand luggage rules

1 piece of hand baggage measuring maximum 55x35x25 cm, weight up to 8 kg. 
In addition, passengers can transport in the cabin briefcases, laptop computers and crutches.

Air Berlin hand luggage rules

1 piece of hand luggage no larger than 55x40x20 cm, weight up to 8 kg (10 kg if containing a laptop).
1 piece of additional hand luggage, for example a laptop case or a lady handbag can be carried in the cabin, not exceeding however 40X30X10 cm in size and 2 kg in weight.

The following items can be carried in the cabin if the passenger depends on them: a wheelchair (handed in at the gate), crutches or other walking aids, prostheses and doctor’s bag.

Lufthansa cabin baggage allowance

1 piece of hand baggage, measuring maximum 55x40x23 cm, weight up to 8 kg.
An additional piece of cabin luggage, such as a handbag, a laptop case, a shoulder bag, etc.. provided it is within the maximum size limit of 30x40x10 cm. Crutches and other walking aids are allowed in the cabin, as well as a push chair, a baby carry coat or a child’s seat for every young child travelling.

KLM cabin baggage policy

1 piece of hand baggage measuring max. 55x35x25 cm.
1 accessory, such as handbag or laptop.
The combined weight of both items cannot exceed 12 kg. 

Iberia hand luggage allowance

1 item of hand baggage with no weight restriction. The max. size:  56x45x25 cm
An additional item of accessory luggage, such as small briefcase, laptop, camera, or a bag with baby care/food is allowed in the cabin.

SAS carry-on baggage rules

Scheduled flights: 1 piece of hand baggage, weight up to 8 kg.
Charter flights: 1 piece of hand baggage, weight up to 5 kg.
The maximum size of cabin luggage on both types of SAS flights is 55x40x23 cm. A small handbag is allowed.

Aeroflot cabin baggage

1 piece of hand baggage measuring max. 50x40x20 cm , weight up to 10 kg.
Additional items allowed in the cabin: alady or gentleman handbag, briefcase, a bouquet of flowers, outerwear, laptop, photo or video camera bag, reading material, baby food, baby chair, suit bag, umbrella, walking stick, crutches and one bag of duty-free goods.

Transaero hand luggage restrictions

1 piece of hand baggage 55x40x20 cm, weight up to 10 kg. 

Turkish Airlines carry-on luggage size and weight

1 piece of hand baggage measuring max. to 55x40x23 cm, weight up to 8 kg. 
Additionally, one of the following items can be transported in the cabin: a handbag, video camera, baby seat, laptop, umbrella (without a sharp tip).

Low-cost airlines hand baggage rules

Easyjet cabin luggage allowance
There is no weight limit for cabin luggage on board of Easyjet flights. The passenger, however, should be able to lift and place the cabin luggage in the overhead compartment without assistance.

The rules vary, though, depending on the size of the baggage:

• One piece of hand luggage is allowed, measuring max. 50x40x20 cm. If the luggage complies with this size, the airline guarantees it will never be checked in as the hold luggage, in the event of lack of space in the cabin. If there is no sufficient space in the overhead lockers, it can be placed under the seat in front of you.
• One piece of hand luggage is allowed, measuring max. 56x45x25 cm. There is no guarantee, however, that the luggage will not be placed to transport in the hold, should there be no sufficient space in the cabin.

Additionally each passenger can transport in the cabin the following items as: crutches or other walking aids, an overcoat, shawl, umbrella and one standard size bag of duty free goods.  

Ryanair hand baggage guidelines

1 piece of hand luggage measuring max. 55x40x20 cm, weight up to 10 kg.
1 small carry-on bag, no bigger than 35X20X20 cm, for example a ladies’ handbag, or a bag of duty-free goods containing a bottle of wine or equivalent.

Jet2 cabin luggage restrictions

1 item of hand luggage measuring no more than 56x45x25 cm, weight up to 10 kg.

Flybe hand baggage policy

1 piece of cabin luggage, measuring max. 55x40x23 cm, weight up to 10 kg.
Additionally one accessory item per passenger, such as laptop, a handbag or similar, can be carried in the cabin.

Germanwings carry-on luggage rules

1 piece of hand luggage not exceeding 55x40x20 cm, weight up to 8 kg.

Norwegian cabin baggage allowance

1 piece of hand baggage measuring max. 55x40x23 cm, weight up to 10 kg.
An additional item, such as small laptop case or a handbag is allowed in the cabin.

Volotea hand baggage rules

1 piece of hand baggage measuring max. 55x40x20 cm, weight up to 10 kg. 
Additionally, a small accessory luggage can be transported in the cabin, as long as the total weight does not exceed 10 kg.

Vueling cabin luggage restrictions

1 item of hand luggage, not exceeding 55x40x20 cm in size, max. weight 10 kg.

Thomas Cook cabin luggage policy
1 cabin bag max. size 55x40x20 cm, weight up to 10 kg.

Please note that the above information on the hand luggage rules (max. size and weight of cabin suitcase, as well as the any additional items allowed to transport in the cabin) was extracted from the airlines’ websites in early May 2014. Find-cheap-car-hire.co.uk accepts no liability for errors, omissions or any changes to the cabin luggage policies of each airline. 

Send feedback or suggestions to the editors

Name: 

E-mail: 

Comment: