The Ultimate Cabin Bag Size Guide for Every Major Airline

Trying to find the right cabin bag can feel like navigating a maze. Each airline has its own size restrictions, weight limits, and rules depending on your ticket type. Get it wrong, and you could be charged at the gate—or worse, forced to check in your hand luggage. That’s why we’ve created this ultimate cabin bag size guide, listing the cabin baggage allowances for every major airline we feature at The Cabin Luggage Company.

Whether you're flying with Ryanair, easyJet, British Airways or Emirates, this guide will help you choose luggage that meets the rules—so you can travel stress-free.

Why Cabin Bag Sizes Matter

Most travellers assume that a “cabin bag” is the same size across all airlines. Unfortunately, that’s far from true. One airline’s cabin case may be too big for another, especially when comparing low-cost carriers with full-service airlines.

On top of that, cabin baggage allowances often change based on your fare type. For example, Ryanair only includes a small under-seat bag with standard tickets, while Jet2 allows a larger cabin bag for free. If you're not careful, a case that was perfect on your outbound flight may not be accepted on your return leg.

Key Terms to Know

• Under-Seat Bag: A small personal item (like a backpack or handbag) that fits under the seat in front of you. Dimensions are typically around 40 x 20 x 25 cm.

• Cabin Bag / Hand Luggage: A larger bag stored in the overhead locker. Size limits vary by airline and fare.

• Priority Boarding / Upgrades: Many airlines allow larger bags or an additional item when you purchase Priority Boarding or similar perks.

Cabin Baggage Size Chart by Airline

Here’s a quick reference table for the most common airline cabin baggage rules. All dimensions are listed in centimetres (cm) and based on published policies at the time of writing.

* easyJet recommends keeping bags under 15kg for ease of lifting.

How to Choose the Right Cabin Bag

With so many different rules, the easiest way to choose the right cabin bag is to:

1. Know which airline you’re flying with

2. Understand your ticket type (standard vs priority or upgraded)

3. Pick luggage that matches the strictest limit you’re flying with

4. Use packing cubes or organisers to make the most of smaller bags

If you fly with multiple airlines throughout the year, we recommend owning both:

• A 40 x 20 x 25 cm under-seat bag, suitable for Ryanair, Wizz Air, and easyJet basic fares

• A 55 x 40 x 20–25 cm cabin case, suitable for almost all upgraded or standard full-service airline fares

The Cabin Luggage Company Makes It Easy

At The Cabin Luggage Company, we take the guesswork out of shopping. Our site lets you browse cabin bags by airline, size, or weight allowance. Each product clearly lists which airlines it’s compatible with and includes our Airline Size Restriction Guarantee, so you won’t be caught out at the gate.

Need a Ryanair under-seat bag? Or a British Airways-compatible cabin case? Just select the airline from the menu and shop with confidence. You can even use our filters to sort by colour, price range, or key features like wheels, laptop compartments, or expandable space.

Final Thoughts

Cabin baggage rules can be confusing—but they don’t have to be. With the right luggage and a little planning, you can travel smarter, avoid unnecessary fees, and breeze through the airport.

Use our size guide as your go-to reference whenever you’re packing for your next trip. And if in doubt, let our team help you choose the right cabin bag for your journey.