One of the simplest ways to save money when travelling is to travel with cabin luggage only. One piece of cabin luggage is often included in your ticket price, so you can save on the cost of booking hold luggage. It also makes it quicker to leave the airport at your destination as you don’t need to wait for your luggage to arrive on the carousel. There is also a much lower risk of your baggage going missing. 

If you’re going away for a business trip or a short break, cabin luggage will make your trip cheaper and more efficient. However, there are often strict rules on the size of the bag you can take on board as hand luggage. There may be restrictions on the dimensions of your case and the overall weight. This is to ensure there is enough space for all luggage in the overhead compartments.

Many airlines have rules about the size of your cabin luggage so that it will fit comfortably into the space under the seat in front of you. If your bag does not meet the requirements, you may be asked to place it in the luggage hold, and this will often come with an additional fee. If your luggage is oversized, you could be charged significantly more to place your luggage in the hold than if you had booked hold luggage with your flight.

If you’re planning to fly soon, you should always check the size of cabin luggage on your chosen airline, as it can differ between different providers. Read on to learn more about standard cabin baggage sizes and more specific information about airlines such as Ryanair, Easyjet and Jet2.

What is the standard size of cabin luggage?

There is no standard size for cabin luggage as each airline will have their own rules on the size. Most luggage retailers will offer a small cabin bag size and a large cabin bag size. This will ensure customers have a better chance of selecting the right luggage for their journey.

Small cabin baggage usually has the following dimensions: H45cm W36cm D20cm. This size would be suitable for airlines like Easyjet and Ryanair.

Large cabin baggage usually have the following dimensions: H56cm W45cm D25cm. This would be suitable for airlines like British Airways and Jet2.

Before you travel, always check with your airline to confirm the number of carry-on items you are allowed and the size and weight restrictions.

What is the smallest cabin luggage size?

The smallest cabin luggage available would be around H45cm W36cm D20cm. This is commonly accepted on budget airlines such as Ryanair and Easyjet. Remember that your luggage size will nearly always need to include the wheels, handle and any pockets. If you have another bag attached to your wheeled cabin baggage, this will need to be removed before placing it in the luggage sizer at the airport. 

What is the maximum size for cabin luggage?

Every airline is different, but you can typically expect the maximum size for your cabin luggage to be around 55x40x24cm. The airlines with the most general luggage allowance include Aer Lingus, Aeroflot, Air Asia, Air France, British Airways, Delta, Etihad Airways, Jet2, KLM, Lufthansa, Norwegian, Thomas Cook, TUI, Turkish Airlines, Virgin Atlantic and Vueling Airlines.

Is 20 inch luggage a cabin size?

In the United States, the cabin baggage size might be specified in inches rather than centimetres. 20 inches would be 50.8cm, so this is around the same size as a large cabin bag measuring H56cm W45cm D25cm. Most airlines in the United States will allow carry-on luggage that is around 22 inches long, 14 inches wide and 9 inches high. This includes American Airlines, Delta and United Airlines.

Is 24 inch luggage a cabin size?

As with the above question, 24 inch luggage would mean that it is 60.96cm long. This is much larger than most airlines will allow and is therefore more likely to be suited for hold luggage. Every airline will have their own rules, so be sure to check before you travel to make sure you have the right sized suitcase for your trip. 

What happens if my carry-on is too large?

If your carry-on luggage is too large or too heavy for the airline, you may be asked to place the item in the hold for an additional fee. If you decline, you could be refused permission to board the plane. The cost to check luggage at the gate is often significantly higher than if you add this to your booking in advance.

This is why it is so important to check the size allowance of your airline before you travel and don’t assume that a piece of luggage that is permitted by one airline will be permitted by all airlines.

It’s also important to remember that the luggage size nearly always includes the wheels, handle and pockets. It would certainly be possible to have a piece of luggage that fits the luggage requirements, but then overfill it to the point where it no longer fits. This is why a hard-shell case is often a better choice when you need to stick to the size requirement. A hard-shell case will not bulge in the same way as a fabric case, so there is a much lower risk of going over the size limit when you fill up your case.

How do airlines measure your case?

The most common way to measure a suitcase is with a luggage sizer. These are metal frames located throughout the check-in area and near the boarding gates. Your luggage will need to fit comfortably inside the metal frame for it to be allowed on board. The airline may also choose to weigh your luggage, as there can also be an upper weight limit on your case.