What are the cabin bag rules by airline?

Key takeaways:

• Some airlines allow you to bring a small bag and a suitcase while others only allow one small item

• There are strict rules on how many items you can have in the cabin and on the size and weight of them

• You may be fined if your hand luggage doesn’t meet the airline’s requirements

What are the cabin bag rules by airline?

💡 Top tip: 10kg tends to be the most common weight limit for cabin baggage. Most airlines allow you to take on a cabin bag and a small or under seat bag. But if the airline is full you may be asked to check in your cabin bag.

What bags can I take into the cabin?

You usually have the option of taking hand luggage into the cabin but what size and how many bags you can take varies by airline and fare type. It can be anything from a small handbag to a suitcase.

The cheapest tickets usually have smaller cabin bag allowances, and the option to pay more if you want to bring on more. If you’re just going away for a few days, you may only need one small under seat bag but if you have a longer trip planned a larger checked bag might be a better option.

What is a cabin bag?

This is the main bag or suitcase you bring on board, which is sometimes called carry-on luggage. It needs to fit in an overhead locker or under the seat in front. Some airlines include a cabin bag automatically with tickets while others require you to pay extra to bring one on board. There will also be restrictions over the size and weight of the bag too.

How big can my under seat bag be?

This usually describes a small item such as a handbag or laptop bag, which can comfortably fit under the seat in front of you. With some airlines this is the only hand luggage you can bring with you without paying extra. The terms used by airlines vary, along with the restrictions on what you can bring, so always check with the airline you’re flying with.

What size checked baggage can I have?

A checked bag refers to the luggage you have put in the aircraft hold. This is usually a bigger suitcase which can’t fit into the cabin. There will be rules over the size and weight of anything in the hold, so always check before you get to the airport.

Can I bring extra airline cabin bags if I have an infant?

If you’re travelling with small children, you can usually bring a number of items on a flight free of charge. This includes:

• Collapsible pushchairs

• Travel cots

• Car seats

However, there may be a maximum overall weight allowance. Also, you may be able to use a pushchair up until you board the plane and it will then go into the hold.

How can I add extra baggage?

• When you buy your ticket

There is usually an option to pay more to bring on an extra bag, and you may also get extra perks such as choosing your seat for free and getting on the plane first.

• At the airport

If you need to buy a bigger bag allowance and you’ve already arrived at the airport, it might be possible to put your bag in the hold instead of bringing it on board (you may be charged for this). Alternatively, you may be required to pay extra.

💡 Top tip: It’s usually more expensive to upgrade your baggage allowance at the airport instead of buying a ticket with a larger baggage allowance in advance.

What happens if my cabin bag is too big?

If you turn up to your flight and you have a larger bag than you’re allowed for your airline’s cabin, you may have to pay a fee.

Usually, an airline will put your bag in the hold if it doesn’t fit in the cabin, or you don’t have the correct ticket for the bag. Some airlines charge excess baggage fees if this happens. If you’re flying with Ryanair, for example, there’s an excess baggage fee of £13 per extra kilogram.

What can't I put in my hand luggage?

There are strict rules around what can and can’t be in your hand luggage for safety reasons. These include:

• Liquids: Rules can vary by UK airport and countries outside the UK but most don’t allow liquids in containers larger than 100ml. In the UK there are exceptions for essential medical purposes, special dietary requirements and baby food or milk

• Electronic items and devices: Rules vary depending on the country you’re travelling to or from

• Lighters: You can only have one lighter on board and you must put it in a resealable plastic bag

• Frozen items: Unless they’re for medicines, medical equipment, dietary requirements or baby food and baby milk frozen items aren’t allowed

• Sports equipment: A tennis racquet is allowed but other items such as golf clubs and darts are not

• Work tools: Items such as drills aren’t allowed in hand luggage but may be allowed in hold luggage

• Chemicals and toxic substances

• Ammunition: You can’t take any guns or firearms in hand luggage

See the UK government website for a full list of restrictions.

It’s a good idea to put valuables in your hand luggage to help prevent them getting lost, stolen or damaged.