Whether escaping the UK for desperately-needed winter sun, counting down to an Easter spring fling or fantasising about the long-awaited summer getaway, the pre-holiday period is an exciting time.
It can be a stressful one too, especially if you loathe packing and leave it until the last minute (not naming any names). It doesn’t help that some airlines have introduced the concept of ‘free’ underseat cabin bags with pedantically differing requirements.
We won’t get into the sheer injustice (much) of having to fork out for a standard cabin bag when you’ve already paid for a seat that comes with a designated overhead compartment. Let’s just say it's a rankle that most of us - through gritted teeth - have had to accept to get to the prized sunlounger on the other side.
Low-budget airlines are notorious for implementing free bag rules, with staff patrolling boarding gates to uphold policies and issuing penalties to anyone who exceeds their limits.
What size cabin luggage am I allowed?
The problem is that each carrier has different rules, so it can be challenging to know what bag to pack - especially if your return journey is with a different airline to the outbound. It’s all too easy to get caught out and land yourself a penalty (the holiday souvenir no one wants), a sum that’s sometimes more than the cost of the flight itself.
To protect your holiday fund against being wasted on baggage fees, we’ve listed the free bag dimensions for popular budget carriers like Ryanair, easyJet, WizzAir and Jet2.
Our list also includes cabin bag sizes for the likes of BA, Emirates, Etihad, Norwegian and Virgin, popular airlines with long-haul routes that either charge passengers to bring bags onboard or have limits on cabin baggage sizes and weights.
Remember, these dimensions and weights are for basic fares, which typically apply only to the cheap seats (economy class). If you’ve purchased business or higher, your cabin and hold baggage allowance will reflect the premium price (i.e. you’ll be allowed to take more). If you’re unsure, the best place to check is with your airline or travel agent.
Free bag dimensions for budget and popular airlines
- British Airways: 56 x 45 x 25cm + handbag/laptop bag.
- easyJet: 45 x 36 x 20cm only, 15kg.
- Emirates: 55 x 38 x 22cm, 7kg + handbag/laptop bag.
- Etihad: 56 x 36 x 23cm, 7kg + handbag/laptop bag.
- Jet2: 56cm x 45cm x 25cm only, 10kg.
- KLM: 55 x 35 x 25cm + handbag/laptop bag.
- Norwegian: 30 x 20 x 38cm only, 10kg.
- Ryanair: 40 x 25 x 20cm only, 10kg.
- Virgin: 23 x 36 x 56cm + handbag/laptop bag.
- WizzAir: 40 x 30 x 20cm only, 10kg.
With the right destination (somewhere warm), duration (weekend or less), and clever packing (roll *everything*) you can sail into your precious annual leave feeling relaxed rather than riled with a rubber-stamped cabin bag.
Plus, there is an upshot to only carrying less luggage: you can skip hanging around at baggage reclaim and get on with your holiday faster. We’ll raise a piña colada to that.
Shop the best holiday hand luggage and cabin bags below
Best travel handbags and capacious crossbodies
Choose your travel handbag wisely to keep your tickets, passport and other essentials close.
Uniqlo Round Mini Shoulder Bag
What could easily be crowned 2023’s bag of the year is finding further traction in 2024 thanks to a fresh collab with Marimekko.
Uniqlo has kept its cult sling bag’s forgiving proportions and slapped a fun oversized polka dot pattern on it. Stuff your passport, wallet and phone in here as well as plane essentials like lip balm and eye drops, with plenty of room to spare.
It also comes in a grey tone, which will better stand up to the travails of travel.
Buy now £14.90, Uniqlo
Eastpak Bumbag Double
A bumper bumbag with a separate compartment not only makes organisation a breeze but means it has space for practically anything you might need for a full day out and about. Eastpak's design is available in a range of colours to coordinate with your style and is made from hard-wearing, easy-clean polyester.
Buy now £17.50, Eastpak
Marks & Spencer Faux Leather Cross Body Bag
M&S’s similar faux leather crossbody is the perfect everyday bag and will be your travel hero too.
It will work with almost any outfit - yes, even cabin-comfortable sweats - with the gold-tone hardware elevating it to new heights.
Note the multiple compartments, as well as the zipped section, all perfect for keeping travel essentials and must-haves safe.
Buy now £35.00, M&S
LK Bennett Issie Natural Raffia Shoulder Bag
One for palm tree-lined promenades and sun-soaked beaches, LK Bennett’s easy-going crossbody design is the perfect holiday accessory.
The raffia texture suits a chilled setting and the fact it has a soft body means you can sling it into a suitcase for easy packing if needed. It’s mid-sized, giving plenty of space to store the essentials as well as a few souvenirs along the way.
Buy now £110.00, LK Bennett
Marni Small Basket
No brand exudes Mediterranean longing like Marni. The fashion house’s azure blue basket bag is kryptonite for fashion followers jetting off in style this summer. Featuring a lined interior with a zipped pocket, the valuable piece offers the perfect pop of colour with the embroidered Marni logo on the front.
Buy now £178.50, Fenwick
Carl Friedrik Palissy Weekend
A handsome weekender for a luxury break, Carl Friedrik's Palissy design is crafted from premium Vachetta leather.
The 30L bag measures 48.6 x 25.6 x 24.5cm and offers enough space to stash at least two days' worth of clothes and toiletries.
Inside, you'll find one zipped pocket and three open compartments, while an external slip pocket means you can keep important documents and tickets within arm's reach.
Thanks to the upright construction, only the metal feet fixed to the bottom will show any real signs of wear, keeping your purchase looking factory-fresh for longer.
Sold with a lifetime warranty.
Buy now £735.00, Carl Friedrik
Lundi Paris Remington Gray & Cognac bag
Escaping the city for a long weekend? Pack in everything you need in style with Lundi Paris' Remington holdall. The cotton and leather bag measures 55 x 28 x 30 cm and sports an old school look designed to go the distance.
A shoulder strap attaches to four buckles for optimum stability and there's a cavernous space inside the main compartment (plus pockets and compartments galore) to stack folded t-shirts, jeans, underwear and more. As for an extra pair of kicks, stow them in the special shoe compartment at the bottom, keeping dirt, mud and sand away from your other gear.
Buy now £580.00, Lundi Paris
Rains Tote Bag Rush
Brace yourself for the British drizzle with Rains’ Rush tote. Its waterproof qualities will protect your possessions against the elements and provide a sleek touch to any outfit.
Buy now £65.00, Rains
Best underseat cabin bags
Spend your holiday fund on souvenirs, not extra baggage. These small bags are ideal for a short getaway. Find the full list here.
Antler Chelsea Overnight bag
- Size: 41.5 x 26 x 18cm
- Weight: 0.8kg
A tiny bag, that, with the right packing methods, can see you through enough outfits for four days, Antler’s Chelsea Overnight bag is a pretty remarkable thing. The £140 price tag is on the pricier end of the scale, but when you consider add-on baggage costs, it will quickly pay for itself. There are pockets inside for organisation and an adjustable carry strap to allow you to wear it cross-body.
Buy now £140.00
Flight Knight Lightweight 4 Wheel ABS Hard Case Suitcases
Best for: runway style
From British Airways to Wizz Air, this cabin bag has been approved by a host of carriers as a free carry-on. A strong ABS shell keeps your things protected and also helps you stay within strict luggage policies, while a one-metre telescopic handle and 360-degree spinner wheels make it a dream to transport from check-in to the departure gate.
Inside, the main compartment can be split into two with a zipped divider and there are luggage straps to keep everything in place. It makes use of every millimetre of space, and as well as trips away, is useful for hospital stays and overnight wedding events too.
Buy now £44.99, Amazon
Cabin Max Anode 30L
Best for: light and easy
Designed to save you from paying extra airline fees, this hard case wheelie bag is perfectly sized for easyJet’s baggage policy. It’s super lightweight too, weighing a sprightly 2.2kg and glides along like a dream on four spinner wheels.
Inside there’s plenty of space to pack clothes for a short break and organisation is helped along with packing straps, a zipped divider and a zipped pocket to keep smaller items like chargers and toiletries.
It comes in graphite grey, black, lilac and sea green if this cobalt blue doesn’t do it for you.
Buy now £40.00, Cabin Max
Aerolite Holdall Bag
Best for: keeping a low-cost trip low-cost
Specifically designed to comply with Ryanair’s super-strict luggage rules, this charcoal-coloured bag measures an exacting 40 x 20 x 25cm but with some clever and considered packing, should have plenty of space to pack enough outfits for a long weekend away. It’s kept lightweight with two ABS hard shell panels to protect your things with hard-wearing polyester sandwiched in between.
Open it via the main compartment, or if you just need to grab your passport or phone, a smaller u-shaped opening makes it easier to reach for travel essentials. Carry it with the handles or sling it over your shoulder using the non-slip shoulder strap.
Buy now £22.99, Travel Luggage & Cabin Bags
Longchamp Le Pliage extra large travel bag
- Weight: 445g
- Size: 55 x 40 x 23cm
- Capacity: 21.7L
The beauty of Longchamp’s cult Le Pliage bag range is its ability to fold into itself and become less than A3 in size. This has made the piece a go-to for globetrotters the world over, especially if you are planning on a shopping spree when you reach your destination. It comes in a variety of sizes and colours and is crafted in a canvas material with leather handles so it will stand the test of time.
Buy now £160.00, John Lewis
SZLX Large Travel Backpack
Best for: pockets and sections galore
Available in pleasing pastel hues as well as classic black and white, this compact backpack can hold an astounding amount thanks to all the compartments.
There are plenty of sections to keep your things organised; a roomy main area for clothes and underwear with sleeves and pockets to keep small tech and travel documents in place; a dedicated shoes compartment for an extra pair of trainers; space to keep a 14-inch laptop; and a slim front pocket to stow sub-100ml toiletries.
There are side pockets too, which can be used for reusable water bottles or an umbrella, and there’s a USB charger port so you can add your own cable and battery pack. Keep your most precious things in the slim anti-theft zipper pocket on the mesh panelled reverse.
Buy now £39.99, Amazon
Best cabin bags on wheels
Stroll through the terminal and onwards with ease thanks to robust cabin bags set on wheels.
Antler Clifton Cabin with Pocket in Woodland Green
Size: 56 x 35 x 23cm
Take everything you need for a long weekend in Antler's Clifton case, which comes in cabin size as well as larger options for the hold. The ribbed design is crafted from a hard yet light shell with plenty of zips and compartments to organise your things. A double TSA lock keeps your stuff secure while allowing security access should they need it.
Our favourite feature is the front-facing expandable pocket which makes essential documents and gadgets easy to access without unearthing all the carefully packed contents of the main compartment.
Buy now £165.00, Antler
Rains Texel Cabin Bag Mini
Best for: wet weather protection
You may know that Rains makes wet weather gear and backpacks - but did you know the Danish brand has a capsule collection of wheelie cabin bags too?
This 45 x 20 x 31cm mini bag on wheels is just the ticket if you’re hoping to travel light. The telescopic handle saves your shoulders from lugging it from A to B and while it may look small, it can hold an astonishing 28-litres. Wrapped in Rains' signature waterproof PU fabric and compression buckled for security, the hardy roll-on is ideal for short trips, whatever the weather is like when you get there.
Available in forest green and black.
Buy now £169.00, Rains
AWAY The Carry-On Flex
Size: 55.1 x 34.8 x 22.9cm
AWAY makes some of the hardest-wearing cabin bags in the game, making them a favourite for frequent fliers.
Its Carry-On Flex range comes in muted colours as well as bold and bright shades like this sorbet orange that you'll be able to spot a mile off.
The Flex is so-called because it can expand by up to 6cm, making it more forgiving if you've overdone souvenir shopping. This upgrade separates it from AWAY's line of standard cabin bags, but both ranges offer TSA combination locks, 360° spinner wheels, a polycarbonate hard shell and a telescopic pull handle to guide it along terminals, cobblestones and pavements smoothly.
Buy now £265.00, AWAY
Horizn Studios H5 Cabin Luggage
Size: 40 x 55 x 20cm
Making a minimalist statement, this sleek bag can accommodate up to 36L, offering a generous capacity that should see you through up to five days of travel.
While choosing white hold luggage suggests a devil-may-care attitude, a white cabin bag is in altogether safer hands (yours) away from careless baggage handlers. Besides, if you do rack up a few scuffs, the polycarbonate hard shell makes them easy to clean off.
Inside you'll find an organisation wonderland of compartments and mesh screens, all lined with recycled polyester and secured with a TSA-friendly lock. A set of four spinner wheels glide along smoothly and silently, helped by a four-stage telescopic handle. There are also compression bags to help you pack and a laundry bag to separate dirty clothes from fresh ones.
Buy now £430.00, Horizn
Carl Friedrik The Carry-on X
Size: 38 x 55 x 25cm
Yearning for the days of luxury flight travel? The bar-like interiors may be long gone but you can retain a scintilla of class thanks to luxury bag brand Carl Friedrik. The company builds robust bags for both the cabin and hold with a raft of ingenious ideas to help business and leisure travellers alike.
The hard shell cabin design is fitted with the usual features - Hinomoto spinner wheels, telescopic handle, TSA locks - but also boasts compression straps and pads to squeeze more into the case (up to 43L). A front pocket keeps essentials close to hand while contrast leather detailing increases the luxe appeal. A delight to have and to hold.
Comes with a lifetime warranty.
Buy now £465.00, Carl Friedrik
July Carry On
Size: 55 x 38.5 x 21.5cm
Feel like you're flying first even if you're just going on a cheap Continental escape with Aussie brand July's cabin wheelie in tow.
Available in fun colours including a small palette of limited edition hues, the German polycarbonate hard shell design sits on silent-operation spinner wheels to take on practically any terrain with a multi-stop telescopic handle to pull it around with ease, no matter how heavy.
Extras include an odour-proof laundry bag, compression straps, a mesh compartment for laptops and anti-stain lining to dispel any accidental stains and spills. You can also charge small gadgets without opening the bag thanks to an ejectable battery and USB and USB-C docks.
Sold with a lifetime warranty on manufacturing faults.
Buy now £245.00, July
Dunelm Palermo Cream & Tan Suitcase
Size: 54.5 x 38.5 x 20cm
It's hard to imagine not tripping the fantastic by the Mediterranean when you've got this vintage-inspired bag in tow. Dunelm presents this chic cabin bag, complete with compression straps, a laptop insert and a telescopic handle for easy transporting. It must be said that some of the components are not as high-quality as the other options on our list (the lower price tag comes at a cost) but it's a decent option if you want to keep your cheap jolly cheap.
Buy now £35.00, Dunelm
LUGG 20 Inch Skywander Lightweight Travel Cabin Bag
Size: 55 x 23 x 38cm
Proving that good things do indeed come in small packages, Lugg's Skywander cabin bag is the ideal travel companion for trips big and small.
The lightweight design comes in a cheering range of colours and is finished with a water-resistant coating on the ABS hard shell exterior to ensure your stuff stays nice and dry. There's plenty of space to store clothes, tech and toiletries inside with a TSA lock keeping everything secure.
Strong and sturdy with reinforced corners to protect against accidental knocks, it comes highly rated by past Amazon shoppers.
Buy now £34.99, Amazon
Samsonite Proxis 4-Wheel 55cm Expandable Cabin Case
Best for: business
It’s hard to beat Samsonite if you’re someone who travels regularly and the brand’s Proxis 4-Wheel 55cm Expandable Cabin Case is a top choice for effortlessly carrying your belongings from A to B to C and then back again to A. The Proxis suitcase is a globetrotter’s dream, with a hidden section that expands to provide extra storage space, a TSA-approved lock for security, and four double wheels to ensure easy movement. Lightweight, and fitted with two carry handles, it’s also easily portable.
Buy now £359.00, John Lewis
Travelpro Maxlite 5 Rolling Carry-on Tote 2 Wheels
- Size: 39 x 41 x 22cm
- Weight: 2.4kg
- Capacity: 32L
If you’re travelling for work or don’t fancy the thought of having to iron your clothes on your hard-earned annual leave, the Travelpro Carry-on is designed with built-in pockets and even the ability to place hangers. The compact size packs a lot more than you’d expect and you can stack your briefcase or any other bags on top with ease.
Buy now £125.00, Amazon
