A to Z Guides Blog

Luggage Size?

After numerous problems for travellers who have been advised by their airline that their carry-on-board luggage is not accepted due to its size, EU transport ministers have proposed standardised sizing for free underseat luggage on European airlines, leading to this becoming EU law if passed by the European Parliament. The new law would also apply to UK air travellers.

At present, airlines have different rules on the acceptable size and weight of an underseat personal item or an overhead cabin bag, with some airlines charging customers to board with carried luggage.

Last year, Spain fined five airlines 179 million euros (£150m) for “abusive” practices, including charging for hand luggage. Spain’s Consumer Rights Ministry said at the time that it planned to ban charging extra for carry-on luggage and other policies.

Below, the BBC has outlined the rules as they stand at the moment for four major European airlines.

Illustration of luggage sizes on four major carriers. British Airways' standard fare includes a cabin bag measuring up to 56x45x25cm and an underseat bag up to 40x30x15cm, each weighing a max of 23kg. EasyJet's standard fare allows one underseat bag measuring up to 45x36x20cm and weighing a max of 15kg. For an extra charge, passengers can bring one large cabin bag of max 56x45x25cm, weighing up to 15kg. Ryanair's standard fare includes an underseat bag of up to 40x20x25cm. For an extra charge, passengers can also bring a large cabin bag of up to 55x40x20cm, weighing a max of 10kg. Wizz Air's standard fare includes an underseat bag of up to 40x30x20cm weighing a max of 10kg. For an extra charge, Wizz customers can bring a large cabin bag of up to 55x40x23cm, weighing a max of 10kg.