Cabin bag allowance

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.

Here we look at everything you need to know to prepare for your flight including what you can take into the cabin with the major airlines, how much it will cost, and how you can add extra baggage if you need to.

What can I take into the cabin?

You usually have the option of taking hang luggage, a carry-on bag, and an under-seat bag onto a flight, although this means different things on different airlines.

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.

Hand luggage

The term ‘hand luggage’ refers to anything you might bring onto a plane, from a backpack to a suitcase. There are strict rules around what can be in your hand luggage and there is a full list of what is, and isn’t, allowed on the government website.

Cabin bag

This is the main bag or suitcase you bring on board, which 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.

Under seat bag

This usually describes a small item such as a handbag, laptop, or backpack 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.

Checked bag

A checked bag refers to the luggage you have put in the hold of the airline. 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.

Infant allowance

If you’re travelling with small children, you can usually bring a number of items on a flight for free. This includes collapsible pushchairs, travel cots, and car seats although there may be a maximum overall weight allowance. If these items aren’t allowed into the cabin, you’ll usually need to check them in the hold.

Cabin bag rules by airline

Correct as of March 2025

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.

How to add extra baggage

You can add extra luggage to your ticket when you buy it. 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.

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.

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.