UK Baggage Allowances Explained

Here you will find current (2022) UK airline baggage allowance for the most popular airlines in the United Kingdom. We constantly try and keep this information up to date. The airlines do change baggage allowances regularly and they all have different rules and regulations.

Many airlines will have size restrictions, weight restrictions and will also have different rules depending on what type of fare you buy. It does get very complicated as none of them have the same rules, weights or sizes.

We have done our best to explain these below, but always check on the luggage allowances when booking a flight. This is especially true if you are using a combination of airlines when travelling.

Basic Hand Luggage Rules for all Airlines

Hand luggage is referred to by different names such as hand luggage, carry on luggage, and cabin luggage. It is the bag that you can take with you on to the flight and keep it in the overhead cabin or under the seat in front of you.

These are restricted in size and in weight, and none of the airlines have exactly the same restrictions so it can all get very confusing.

When airlines refer to size they mean from the top of the bag to the ground including the wheels. That is very important as many travelers assume it just refers to the actual size of the bag. Each airline has a cage at check-in and if it doesn't fit inside that, it will have to be checked in, and likely result in a charge.

It is also worth noting that on very busy flights, there may not be enough room for everyone's hand luggage. Airlines then have the right to put your hand luggage in the hold, free of charge, but you will have to go to the baggage carousel to collect your luggage.

Basic Check In Luggage Rules for all Airlines

Check in luggage is also referred to as hold luggage. These bags have to be checked in and they will go into the hold of the aeroplane. That means you will have to pick that up in the baggage carousel at the airport you are landing in.

These are restricted in size and in weight, and none of the airlines have exactly the same restrictions so it can all get very confusing.

When airlines refer to size they mean from the top of the bag to the ground including the wheels. That is very important as many travelers assume it just refers to the actual size of the bag. Each airline has a cage at check-in and if it doesn't fit inside that, it will have to be checked in, and likely result in a charge.

Most airlines will allow you to check in up to 3 of these bags per person, but there will be a charge for each bag.

Oversize & Sporting Equipment

Most airlines offer an oversize baggage option and also cater for sporting equipment such as bicycles, golf clubs, diving equipment, fishing equipment, skis etc

It is important to check with the individual airline what they allow and what the fees will be. Some allow it as checked in luggage and others treat it separately.

Just below we have made a handy table of hand baggage allowances for the most popular airlines. That will allow you to see at a glance what sizes you are allowed. You can then click the Read More link to find out more details about each airlines hand and check-in allowances.

Popular UK Airline Cabin Baggage Size Restrictions

Ryanair

40 x 25 x 20 cm

Easyjet

45 x 36 x 20 cm

Jet2

56 x 45 x 25 cm

Loganair

40 x 35 x 18 cm

Wizz Air

40 x 30 x 20 cm

British Airways

56 x 45 x 25 cm

Thompson Travel

40 x 25 x 20 cm

Aer Lingus

55 x 40 x 24 cm

Thomas Cook

55 x 40 x 20 cm

Popular Airline Luggage Weight Allowances

Airline

Cabin

Hold

Easyjet

15 Kg

23 Kg

Jet2

10 Kg

22 Kg

Wizz Air

10 Kg

10, 20 or 32 Kg

Ryanair

10Kg (Priority booking)

10 or 20 Kg

TUI

10 Kg

15 or 20 Kg

British Airways

10 Kg

23 Kg

Virgin Atlantic

10 Kg

23 Kg

Ryanair Baggage Allowance

40 x 20 x 25

All passengers can bring 1 small personal bag on board which must fit under the seat in front of you (40cm x 20cm x 25cm). Examples include, handbag, laptop bag or small backpack.

Priority & 2 Cabin Bags is an option they offer and means you can board the plane via the Priority Queue and carry the small personal bag (40x20x25cm) and a 10kg wheelie bag (55x40x20cm) on board.

Check In Luggage (Hold) 

Non-priority customers who wish to bring a second larger wheelie bag (10kg weight) must purchase the 10kg Check-in Bag. The size restriction on this bag is 55x40x20 cm. The price will vary depending on the route and travel date.

They also have a 20Kg check in option. The size restrictions are 81cms (height), 119cms (width) and 119cms (depth). This bag will however go in the hold and can not be carried on.

Easyjet Baggage Allowance

45 x 36 x 20

All customers can bring on board:

One cabin bag
Maximum. size 56 x 45 x 25 cm (including any handle or wheels)
Bag should be placed in the overhead lockers or, if small enough, under the seat in front of you.

Customers who have booked an Up front or Extra legroom seat or FLEXI fare and easyJet Plus cardholders can also bring on board: One additional under seat bag, like a laptop bag or handbag.
Maximum size 45 x 36 x 20cm (including any handles or wheels).
Bags must be placed under the seat in front of you.

Check In Luggage (Hold)

Each customer including children and infants can buy up to three hold bags. A standard hold bag is 23kg. You can buy extra weight in 3kgs units, up to a maximum of 32kg per bag. If you’re travelling with family or friends on the same flight and booking, you can pool your total weight allowance.

No single item can weigh more than 32kg. Maximum total size (length + width + height) = under 275cm.

Jet 2 Baggage Allowance

56 x 45 x 25

Jet2 passengers are permitted to carry one piece of hand baggage on board their flight. A maximum weight of 10kg applies and it must be no bigger than 56 x 45 x 25cm.

Check In Luggage (Hold)

You can book up to three 22kg hold bags per person, per flight by paying the applicable charges.
They do not allow single hold bags that weigh more than 32kg.
They charge £12 per kg for baggage that exceeds your total weight allowance.

Loganair Baggage Allowance Size

40 x 35 x 18

Fly Flex + passengers can carry 1 bag up to 6kg free of charge plus a small handbag and slimline laptop bag

- Fly and Fly Flex passengers can carry 1 bag up to 6kg free of charge plus a small handbag. A maximum weight of 6kg to the bag applies and it must be no bigger than 40 x 35 x 18cm.

On certain flights it may be necessary to put cabin luggage in the hold, and it will be returned to you at the bottom of the steps on arrival.

Check In Luggage (Hold)

Fly customers can carry up to 15kg luggage - across multiple bags

Fly Flex customers can carry up to 23kg – across multiple bags

Fly Flex + customers can carry up to 30kg across multiple bags and up to 25kg in a single bag

Single article limit – the maximum weight per bag, regardless of fare or excess luggage paid for, must not exceed 25kg.

Wizz Air Baggage Allowance Size

40 x 30 x 20

Wizz Air have two options:

A carry on bag 40x30x20 cm such as a laptop bag, small backpack or a purse

 A trolley bag 55x40x23 cm

Both are subject to a 10Kg weight allowance

Every Wizz Air passenger is allowed to bring on board one Carry-on Bag (whose specifications are listed above) for free. To bring another, “Trolley Bag” on board (specifications also listed above), you can add WIZZ Priority to your booking. By doing that, you’re allowed to bring a total of two pieces of baggage on board.

In this case the size allowance does not include bag handles/ wheels; however, wheels must add no more than 5 cm to the size of the bag.

Check In Luggage (Hold)

There are three options 10Kg, 20Kg or32 Kg

The size restriction is 149 x 119 x 171 cm

You can check in up to 6 checked in bags per passenger

British Airways Baggage Allowance Size

56 x 45 x 22

You can take a cabin bag and this size includes the handles pockets and wheels The maximum weight restriction for this bag is 23 Kg. This is a free allowance for passengers.

Alternatively you can take a handbag 40x30x15 and this size includes the handles pockets and wheels The maximum weight restriction for this bag is 23 Kg. This is a free allowance for passengers.

Handbags or laptop-sized bags are guaranteed to travel in the cabin as hand baggage. On busy flights, you may be asked to check in your larger cabin bag. Make sure your travel documents and other essentials are in your smaller hand bag.

Check In Luggage (Hold)


The size restriction is 90x75x43cm and the weight restriction is up to 23Kg

You can check in up to 3 checked in bags per passenger

Thompson Travel Baggage Allowance Size

55 x 40 x 20

You can take 1 piece of hand luggage per person (excluding infants) weighing up to 10kg and with maximum dimensions of 55x40x20cm on a TUI Airways flight. Things like laptops, handbags and items bought at the airport must fit within your 1 piece of hand luggage.

You must be able to lift your hand luggage into the overhead storage compartments yourself.

You can bring a Trunki case as hand luggage, as long as it weighs no more than 10kg.

Check In Luggage (Hold)


When flying with TUI Airways, you’re entitled to a 15kg luggage allowance on our package holidays. Certain types of holiday come with a bigger allowance of 20kg – this is clearly shown whilst you’re booking if it applies.

Aer Lingus Baggage Allowance Size

55 x 40 x 24

Aer Lingus passengers are permitted to carry one piece of hand baggage on board their flight. A maximum weight of 10kg applies and it must be no bigger than 55 x 40 x 24cm.

You can also carry on one personal item such as a small handbag, laptop bag or a baby changing bag. The size restriction for this small bag is 25x33x20 cm.

Aer Lingus also have regional flights on their smaller aircraft operated by Stobart Air. On these they allow a 7Kg bag with a maximum size of 48x33x20. You can also have a small personal item as explained above.

Check In Luggage (Hold)

Europe Checked In Bag Options

They have three options: 20 Kg in one bag, 25Kg in one bag and 40Kg in two bags. The maximum dimensions of any single bag are (length + width + height) = 158 cm No individual piece can weigh more than 32kg.

Transatlantic Flights

They have three options: 20 Kg in one bag, 25Kg in one bag and 30Kg in one bag. The maximum dimensions of any single bag are (length + width + height) = 158 cm No individual piece can weigh more than 32kg.

Just be aware that if you are using another airline as part of any travel, you also need to check their allowances.

Thomas Cook Baggage Allowance Size

55 x 40 x 20

All Thomas Cook airlines customers can bring a bag up to (55 cm * 40 cm * 20 cm) in size.

This is a free allowance of 8 kg for standard travelers and 10 kg for premium class customers.

You can take a trunki as hand luggage on Thomas cook as as this is associated with your child travelling, and must not exceed 8kg in weight

Check In Luggage (Hold)

Signature Holidays and Long Haul - 20Kgs

Long Haul USA - 23Kg

Premium Class - 25Kg

Premium Class USA - 32Kg