Avoiding Costly Cabin Bag Fines: What Airlines Don’t Tell You—And How We’re Solving It
on July 17, 2025

Avoiding Costly Cabin Bag Fines: What Airlines Don’t Tell You—And How We’re Solving It

We’ve all been there. You’re at the boarding gate, excited to start your holiday or get home after a long work trip. Then it happens—your hand luggage is flagged. Maybe it looked a little bulky, or maybe it was just a few centimetres over the airline’s allowance. Either way, you’re told to check it in. And just like that, you’re hit with a fine—sometimes upwards of £50.

It’s a frustrating, stressful, and often expensive experience. And for many travellers, it comes as a complete surprise. At The Cabin Luggage Company, we’re here to make sure it never happens to you again.

The Hidden Cost of Non-Compliant Cabin Bags

Low-cost airlines like Ryanair, easyJet, and Wizz Air have revolutionised travel—but they’ve also become increasingly strict when it comes to cabin baggage. With base fares low, many airlines rely on add-ons and penalty charges to boost their revenue.

In fact, Ryanair’s current fine for an oversized cabin bag is £45–£70, depending on the airport. Wizz Air has similar fees, and even full-service airlines are enforcing stricter limits more regularly.

The real sting? It doesn’t matter if your bag only exceeds the limit by 1–2 cm. If it doesn’t fit into the airline’s cabin sizer at the gate, they’re within their rights to charge you. Worse still, some travellers are charged twice—once at the gate and again at the plane.

Why So Many Travellers Get Caught Out

The problem isn’t that people don’t care—it’s that luggage shopping is unnecessarily confusing. Product dimensions vary wildly between brands, and many suitcases labelled "cabin size" won’t actually comply with all airline rules. Some retailers advertise cabin luggage without specifying which airlines it fits, leaving customers to guess or Google.

And even if you do find the airline’s size chart online, you’re stuck comparing bags, cross-checking measurements, and hoping nothing gets missed. All while trying to figure out whether the wheels or handles count toward the size.

Our Solution: Airline-Compliant Luggage, Made Simple

At The Cabin Luggage Company, we’ve built our entire business around solving this problem. No more guessing. No more last-minute repacking at the gate. No more fines.

We’ve created a website that filters every piece of luggage we sell by airline compatibility. Whether you’re flying with Jet2, Emirates, Wizz Air, Ryanair, British Airways or anyone in between, you’ll be able to shop with complete confidence. If it’s listed under that airline, it fits.

We even go a step further:

  • Our Airline Size Restriction Guarantee means if we say a bag fits and it doesn’t, we’ll make it right.

  • Dedicated airline filters let you shop by carrier, so you only see luggage that works for your flight.

  • Under-seat, 10kg, and personal item collections make it easy to find the perfect bag for stricter fare types.

  • Next-day delivery means you’re covered even for those last-minute weekend getaways.

The Brands We Trust

We’ve hand-selected a collection of brands that balance style, performance, and precision sizing. These include:

  • Travelite – affordable, lightweight, and airline-friendly luggage with German-engineered quality.

  • Carl Friedrik – premium leather bags and minimalist hard-shell cases that fit perfectly and travel well.

  • Aérial – sleek, durable cabin luggage designed with budget airline dimensions in mind.

Each product we stock is measured exactly—including wheels and handles—so you don’t have to worry about hidden bulk tipping you over the limit.

What Happens If Your Bag Is Too Big?

Still not sure it’s worth checking? Let’s look at the potential costs:

  • Ryanair: Up to £70 at the gate

  • Wizz Air: Up to €65/£55

  • easyJet: £48 for oversized cabin bags

  • British Airways, Virgin, Lufthansa: May check the bag for free, or may require last-minute rebooking depending on class

Not only are these charges expensive, they’re stressful—and often avoidable.

How to Make Sure You’re Covered

Here are three quick ways to avoid cabin bag fines:

  1. Know your airline’s allowance. Check both dimensions and weight.

  2. Choose luggage from a retailer that guarantees compatibility.

  3. Travel with confidence—don't second-guess your suitcase at the airport.

Or better yet—shop with us. We’ve taken the stress out of luggage shopping, so you can focus on the fun part: your trip.

Final Thoughts: Built by Travellers, for Travellers

We founded The Cabin Luggage Company after being burned one too many times by airline charges for luggage that was just too big. As a family-run business with years of experience in luxury travel retail, we decided enough was enough. No one else should have to deal with the anxiety of getting stung at the gate.

Whether you're jetting off on holiday, flying for work, or visiting loved ones abroad, you deserve luggage that works for your airline—not against it.

Browse by airline. Travel without worry. And say goodbye to surprise luggage fees—for good.