Your Guide to Cabin Luggage 56cm x 45cm x 25cm

The 56 x 45 x 25 cm cabin dimension is one of the most useful carry-on sizes in European aviation. It's the maximum permitted by easyJet and Jet2, and it's accepted by a wide range of other carriers, meaning a suitcase built to these measurements will cover the majority of UK and European departures. Whether you're heading to Barcelona for the weekend or flying out of Gatwick for a longer European trip, this is the carry-on size worth getting right.

Which Airlines Accept 56 x 45 x 25 cm Cabin Luggage?

This dimension is confirmed as the standard cabin allowance for easyJet and Jet2, two of the most heavily used carriers on UK routes. It's also accepted by a number of other European and international airlines. If you split your travel across multiple airlines, a suitcase in this size covers the widest range of departures without compromise.

All airline measurements include wheels and handles in the total dimensions, unless said otherwise. Every suitcase listed here has been measured to confirm compliance with the 56 x 45 x 25 cm limit, where there are caveats to this, it is clearly stated on the product itself. If it's in this collection, it boards. For stricter dimensions like Ryanair's 55 x 40 x 20 cm, see our dedicated 55 x 40 x 20 cm cabin luggage collection.

The Brands in This Collection

With over 70 pieces in this collection, there's a carry-on here for every type of traveller. Samsonite leads with options across hard-shell and soft-shell finishes, from the featherlight C-Lite polycarbonate spinner to the accessible Proxis with its front-pocket opening. Tumi brings 10+ cases to this size, including the premium 19 Degree Titanium aluminium suitcase and the well-regarded Amalfi carry-on for business travellers.

Bric's offers 13 pieces at this dimension, including Italian-crafted options from the Bellagio 3 and Coast Softside ranges. Briggs & Riley contributes 8 options including ZDX carry-ons with the brand's Outsider handle system and their unconditional lifetime guarantee, which covers airline damage. Carl Friedrik's Carry-On X is a contemporary premium option in full-grain leather trim; Porsche Design's Roadster Hardside brings automotive-inspired hard-shell design to the collection.

Also on this page: Joules cabin spinners in signature printed fabrics from the Epwell, Boat Club, and Coast Softside ranges; Serapian Cachemire carry-ons in Milanese hand-stitched leather; Delsey lightweight hard-shell spinners; Sara Miller London floral designs; and Peak Design's cleverly engineered Roller Pro. There's something here from entry-level to genuinely aspirational, and always premium. 

Hard Shell vs Soft Shell at This Size

Both materials are well represented. Hard-shell polycarbonate options like the Samsonite C-Lite or Tumi 19 Degree Aluminium protect fragile items better and maintain their shape even when the overhead bin is fully packed. They wipe clean easily and don't absorb moisture, which matters more than most people expect on travel days that go sideways.

Soft-shell options like the Bric's Coast Softside or Joules cabin spinners often include useful outer pockets for quick access to documents and devices during boarding. They flex slightly when needed, which helps when you've packed to the absolute limit and need just a little give at the zip. They're also usually marginally lighter, which can matter when airline weight limits are tight.

Our recommendation: hard-shell for frequent or business travellers who prioritise protection and durability; soft-shell for occasional travellers who value flexibility and exterior pocket access. For carry-on-only travel on longer trips, hard-shell is almost always the right call.

What to Look for When Buying

A cabin suitcase is a longer-term purchase than it feels in the moment, and it's worth thinking through what you actually need from it. Here's what we'd focus on:

• Four 360-degree spinner wheels: essential for navigating crowded airports without wrestling your bag through corridors and gates, though inline wheels certainly do have their space
• TSA-approved combination lock: required if your itinerary includes the United States, even on a layover
• Unladen weight: check this carefully. easyJet permits 15kg cabin; Jet2 allows 10kg. A bag weighing 2kg unladen gives you 8kg to pack on Jet2, a bag at 3.5kg gives you only 6.5kg
• Expandability: useful for the return journey, but confirm your airline permits expanded bags as carry-on before relying on it
• Top and side grab handles: both matter when lifting into an overhead bin or pulling from a luggage carousel
• Interior organisation: compression straps, a full-length divider, and a wet or mesh pocket all make a genuine difference on longer trips

You can also explore our 55 x 40 x 23 cm cabin luggage for Lufthansa and Wizz Air routes, or browse the full cabin luggage collection to compare every size we stock.