Booking flights online is a minefield. Nowadays, once you've picked what is seemingly the cheapest fare, you are suddenly bombarded with extra fees for luggage and sitting with other members of your party.
Over the past few years, UK airlines have changed their hand luggage policies. This means that turning up at an airport with a bag that's too big or heavy can end up costing you more money.
So to make sure you don't get caught out, below we have rounded up the 2023 bag rules for the UK's biggest airlines.
READ MORE: Heathrow, Bristol, Manchester, Gatwick and Luton Airport hand luggage rules
Easyjet
Everyone can bring one small cabin bag per person on board for free on easyJet planes.
It can be a maximum size of 45 x 36 x 20 cm (including any handles or wheels) and needs to fit under the seat in front of you. That should be enough to bring all the essentials for your journey or for a short trip. Your bag can weigh up to 15kg, but we do ask that you’re able to lift and carry it yourself.
If you’d also like to bring a large cabin bag on board (max. 56 x 45 x 25 cm, including any handles or wheels), you have the option to:
- select an Up Front or Extra Legroom seat or
- NEW: book a large cabin bag for your flight
If you’re an easyJet Plus cardholder or customer who has booked a FLEXI fare, you can also bring a large cabin bag on board (in addition to your small cabin bag) as part of your membership or fare benefits.
Find out more here.
Ryanair
All Ryanair passenger fare types include a small personal bag, which must fit under the seat in front of you. Examples include backpacks that are 40cm by 25cm or carry on bags that are 40cm by 20cm.
Priority & 2 Cabin Bags gives customers the benefit of boarding the plane via the Priority Queue and carrying their small personal bag (40x20x25cm) and 10kg wheelie bag (55x40x20cm) with them on board. This will mean you won't need to wait for your bag at the terminal at the destination. If Priority is sold out, you can purchase their 10kg Check-in Bag.
Find out more here.
TUI
Your luggage allowance will vary depending on what type of holiday you book with TUI. For package holidays, you can take one piece of hand luggage per person (excluding infants) weighing up to 10kg and with maximum dimensions of 55x40x20cm on a TUI Airways flight.
You must be able to lift your hand luggage into the overhead storage compartments yourself. You can bring a Trunki case as hand luggage, as long as it weighs no more than 10kg. In addition to the piece of hand luggage you can also bring one small personal item, things like laptops, handbags or a briefcase and this must be small enough to be stored under the seat.
While for flights only bookings, the rules are a bit different. You can carry one piece of hand luggage of up to 10kg for free. The maximum dimensions of your hand luggage can be 55x40x20cm and you must be able to lift your hand luggage into the overhead storage compartments yourself. In addition to the piece of hand luggage you can also bring one small personal item, things like laptops, handbags or a briefcase, and this must be small enough to be stored under the seat.
Find out more here.
Jet2
You may carry on board one piece of hand luggage free of charge, as long as it weighs no more than 10kg and is no larger than 56cm x 45cm x 25cm, including any wheels and handles. If your hand luggage weighs more or is larger than this, it will need to be checked into the aircraft hold, and you may have to pay an additional charge.
You can also bring a small, personal item on board (such as a handbag, laptop bag or airport purchase), as long as it is placed underneath the seat in front of you. Please note that you cannot drink any alcohol purchased at the airport (or beforehand) during the flight.
A Jet2 spokesperson said: "All hand luggage is carried in the cabin at our discretion, and we reserve the right to check it into the aircraft hold for operational or capacity reasons. If this is the case, you must ensure that you remove all valuable items (including travel documents, money, medication, keys, spare lithium batteries, as well as any electronic items containing lithium batteries) and carry these with you in the cabin."
Find out more here.
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