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Whether you’re planning a city break to Barcelona, a cultural escape to Dubrovnik or a long weekend in the South of France, if you’re travelling with hand luggage this summer, it’s time to get up to speed with European airline restrictions.
From EasyJet to Ryanair and WizzAir, budget airline carriers are more stringent than ever – so pre-planning is essential. It’s a fine balance between maximising your carry-on space and avoiding a fee at the gate. While the best packing cubes can help, it mostly comes down to having the right size bag.
Confusingly, every European airline has different rules, which are often subject to change. For example, Ryanair – a famously strict carrier – recently reduced its ‘small personal bag’ down to just 40cm x 30cm x 20cm.
British Airways, on the other hand, generously offers both a personal bag and a carry-on case in its tickets (Jet2, Lufthansa, Iberia and Air France all provide this, too). Wizz Air only allows a small underseat bag, while EasyJet offers a slightly larger personal bag. You can upgrade your ticket to include a larger carry-on bag, but it’s always cheaper to do this ahead of time rather than at the airport.
Read more: Best luggage brands 2026, recommended by travel experts
“Having a clear policy for cabin bags makes the boarding process faster and more efficient for customers by reducing potential delays and inconvenience for passengers caused by needing to offload extra bags and stowing them in the hold, if there isn’t room for them onboard,” Antonio Shabbir from EasyJet’s customer service team explains. “There are several factors that inform this, including space on board and weight limits to align with safety and industry standards.”
Ahead of summer 2026 trips, here’s your full guide to European airlines’ hand luggage restrictions, including the best bags to buy.
EasyJet
- Free personal item: 45 x 36 x 20 cm
- Standard cabin size: 56cm x 45cm x 25cm (upgraded)
Ryanair
- Free personal item: 40cm x 30cm x 20cm
- Standard cabin size: 55cm x 40cm x 20cm (priority ticket)
Wizz Air
- Free personal item: 40cm x 30cm x 20cm
- Standard cabin size: 55cm x 40cm x 23cm (priority ticket)
Jet2
- Free personal item: 40cm x 30cm x 20cm
- Standard cabin size: 56cm x 45cm x 25cm (included)
TUI
- Free personal item: 40cm x 30cm x 20cm
- Standard cabin size: 55cm 40cm x 20cm (included)
British Airways
- Free personal item: 40cm x 30cm x15cm
- Standard cabin size: 56cm x 45cm x25cm (included)
Air France
- Free personal item: 40cm x 30cm x 15cm
- Standard cabin size: 55cm 40cm x 23cm (included)
Antler overnight black cabin bag
Antler Complies with: EasyJet, Jet2, TUI, British Airways, Air France
Dimensions: 28 x 45 x 20 cm
The Antler overnight bag comes in a range of colours, including black, green, navy and taupe. Inside, the elasticated pockets help keep all your essentials (like your passport, boarding pass and headphones) organised, while the fold-down sides ensure it meets cabin baggage personal bag restrictions. Designed with a detachable shoulder strap and an innovative suitcase sleeve that slides easily over your luggage handle, travelling through the airport will be effortless.
Ecohub cabin bag
AmazonComplies with: EasyJet, RyanAir, Wizzair, British Airways, Jet2, TUI, Air France
Dimensions: 40 x 30 x 20cm
Complying with Ryanair’s smallest ‘underseat’ bag allowance, this Ecohub bag can be used on flights with all its competitors, too. The affordable bag meets every airline's requirements, with its compact, zipped design ensuring you don’t get caught out at the gate for overpacking. Complete with both shoulder straps and a cross-body for easy carrying, the brand claim its waterproof, too.
Narwey bag
AmazonComplies with: Wizz Air, Ryanair, Jet2, TUI
Dimensions: 40cm x 20cm x 25cm
This bag goes viral every summer – and it’s not hard to see why. Affordably priced at less than £15, the luggage bag features a zip for keeping belongings securely stowed away and shoulder handles for carrying with ease. There’s a side zip for your passport or headphones, and users have testified that it packs in far more than it looks.
Bagzy underseat cabin bag
AmazonComplies with: British Airways, Air France
Dimensions: 40cm x30cm x15cm
British Airways and Air France’s hand luggage restrictions allow for both a personal bag and a larger cabin size. This means the personal bag size is smaller than other budget airlines. Aerolite’s rucksack fits the brief, boasting an 18l capacity and adjustable padded straps. Alongside the main interior, there’s a zipped outer pocket for small items.
Dunelm cabin suitcase
DunelmComplies with: EasyJet, Wizz Air and Jet2 (large cabin bag)
Dimensions: 55 cm x 40 cm x 20 cm
Dunelm’s cheap and cheerful green suitcase features spinner wheels and generous capacity. Every bit as practical as it is stylish, the retractable handle and top handle help you lift the luggage onto the security belt. Inside, compression straps keep your clothes and accessories organised.
M&S Mykonos hard shell suitcase
M&SComplies with: EasyJet (large cabin bag)
Dimensions: 55cm x 35cm x 21cm
This M&S hard shell case will see you roll through the airport gate with ease if you’ve upgraded your ticket on EasyJet. Available in four sleek colours, the retailer is rivalling the likes of Antler and Away when it comes to stylish suitcases.
Antler cabin suitcase
Antler Complies with: Wizz Air, Ryanair, Jet2, TUI (large cabin bag)
Dimensions: 55cm x 40cm x 20cm
Antler is the suitcase brand you likely see all over your social media feeds. Combining pure practicality with stylish colourways and chic matte finishes, its cases are durable and sturdy enough to make the price a little more palatable – I’ve got three Antler cases, and they’ve not failed me yet. Now’s the time to snap up this generously sized carry-on case, as it’s currently on sale.
Carl Friedrik the carry-on
Carl Friedrik Complies with: British Airways, Air France (large cabin bag)
Dimensions: 56cm x 37cm x 23cm
Carl Friedrik has been spotted in both Succession and The White Lotus, thanks to its premium-looking luggage that drips in quiet luxury. This silver case with a tan strap is my preferred hand luggage for British Airways flights. Instead of fiddly zips, the case boasts lock closures, which help me close the case with ease, despite it being packed to the brim.