Full list of airline hand luggage rules you need to know about to avoid pricey fees at the airport
GOING away with just hand luggage seems easy until you realise all the airlines have different policies on exactly what hand luggage is allowed.
While we all know budget airlines are some of the strictest, other airlines could still catch you out with a hidden fee at the airport.
So we’ve explained everything you need to know about taking a suitcase with some of the UK’s major airlines.
Read on for the current rules for Ryanair, easyJet, TUI, British Airways, Wizz Air Jet2 and Virgin Atlantic.
Easyjet
All easyJet passengers are allowed to bring one small underseat bag per person on board for free, measuring up to 45 x 36 x 20cm and weighing up to 15kg.
Currently, if you want a cabin bag measuring up to 56 x 45 x 25cm, you’ll need to pay extra for it.
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The price for this depends on demand, the route, your flight date and the time of booking.
Though if you get to the gate and haven’t paid for a cabin bag but have one with you, you will be charged £60.
Wizz Air
Each passenger can bring onboard a small bag measuring a maximum of 40 x 30 x 20cm and weighing a maximum of 10kg with Wizz Air.
The bag must fit under the seat in front of you.
However, it does state on the airline’s website that you can also carry onboard a coat or blanket, mobile phone, reading material for the flight, and duty-free items for free.
But a neck pillow is not included in this, and must fit in your cabin baggage allowance.
Currently, if you want a cabin bag weighing up to 10kg and measuring a maximum of 55 x 40 x 23cm, you will need to purchase this through Wizz Priority.
This will set you back between £12.85 and £89.98 during the low season and between £17.14 and £98.55 during the high season.
Ryanair
Each passenger can take a small bag on board that measures a maximum of 40 x 30 x 20cm.
It must fit under the seat in front of you and be a handbag, laptop bag or backpack.
If you want a cabin bag measuring up to 55 x 40 x 20cm, then you will need to purchase this.
This will cost you between £12 and £36 at the time of booking, or between £20 and £60 when at the airport.
Jet2
All Jet2 passengers are entitled to a 10kg cabin bag, measuring a maximum of 56 x 45 x 25cm and a small under seat bag measuring a maximum of 40 x 30 x 20cm.
On busy flights, Jet2 may ask to put your cabin bag in hold and if your bag is too big or heavy, you could be charged £45.
TUI
On TUI flights, passengers can each take one cabin bag weighing up to 10kg and measuring a maximum of 55 x 40 x 20cm and a handbag measuring up to 40 x 30 x 20cm.
If a bag exceeds the weight limit, you will be charged £60 per 15kg bag.
British Airways
With British Airways‘ basic economy fare, each passenger is entitled to one handbag measuring a maximum of 40 x 30 x 15cm and one cabin bag measuring a maximum of 56 x 45 x 25cm.
Your handbag must fit under the seat in front of you and your cabin bag must not have any valuables, electronics or essential medicines inside it.
If your cabin luggage is too big or heavy, British Airways might put it in the hold.
Though, you will have to pay a fee for this, which is usually £65 per bag, per way.
Virgin Atlantic
With Virgin Atlantic, each passenger in economy light is allowed to have one cabin bag weighing up to 10kg and measuring a maximum of 23 × 36 × 56cm as well as an underseat bag such as a handbag or small rucksack measuring a maximum of 40cm x 30cm x 15cm.
Your under seat bag must fit under the seat in front of you and any bags that are over the allowance could get a £65 charge as well as being placed in the hold.