Summary

  • easyJet: Largest free hand luggage allowance among Europe's low-cost airlines: 45 x 36 x 20 cm, 15 kg.
  • Ryanair: Smallest free allowance: 40 x 25 x 20 cm; volume significantly less compared to easyJet.
  • Wizz Air: Cabin bag dimensions are slightly larger than Ryanair's: 40 x 30 x 20 cm, up to 10kg.

Passengers must be mindful of their hand luggage allowance when flying with low-cost carriers. After all, over the years, budget airlines have cut how much customers can bring aboard, with additional cabin baggage becoming a key source of ancillary revenue. With this in mind, let's see how the rules differ between Europe's three low-cost giants: easyJet, Ryanair, and Wizz Air.

easyJet

Starting with easyJet, the orange-clad carrier offers the most considerable free hand luggage allowance of Europe's three major low-cost airline groups. All its passengers are entitled to bring a single cabin bag onboard for no charge, with dimensions measuring up to 45 cm x 36 cm x 20 cm (17.7 in x 14.2 in x 7.9 in). It was not long ago that easyJet used to offer a standard-sized cabin bag for free, but this is no longer the case.

An easyJet check in area of an airport.
Photo: Sorbis | Shutterstock

easyJet Baggage Policy

Dimensions

Max Weight Limit

Personal Bag

45 x 36 x 20 cm

15 kg

Large Overhead Cabin Bag

56 x 45 x 25 cm

15 kg

Checked Bag

(L + W + H) < 275 cm

32kg

It is worth noting that these measurements include aspects like the bag's handles and, if applicable, its wheels. Bags can weigh as much as 15 kg (33.1 lbs) and must be able to be placed under the seat in front (leaving the overhead storage bins for larger cabin bags).

Want answers to more key questions in aviation? Check out the rest of our guides here!

An easyJet Airbus aircraft about to take off.
Photo: Rebius | Shutterstock

For passengers wanting to bring more hand luggage onboard, easyJet also offers the option to add a second, larger cabin bag to your booking. This is, of course, subject to a supplementary fee. A large cabin bag can be stored in the plane's overhead locker and measure 56 cm x 45 cm x 25 cm (22 in x 17.7 in x 9.8 in). Once again, the maximum permissible weight in this instance is 15 kg (33.1 lbs). Prices for this second bag vary by flight (this is standard practice with low-cost carriers these days), starting from £6.99 (around $9).

Ryanair

Moving onto Ryanair, the Irish low-cost giant has the smallest free allowance. The airline permits its passengers to bring one free cabin bag with dimensions of 40 cm x 25 cm x 20 cm (15.7 in x 9.8 in x 7.9 in).

A Ryanair Boeing 737 about to land as another waits to take off.
Photo: InsectWorld | Shutterstock

These measurements, when combined, represent a significant reduction compared to easyJet's allowance when examining the volume, giving a volume of just 20 liters. Meanwhile, easyJet's aforementioned free bag dimensions yield a volume of 32.4 liters, representing over 60% more capacity.

Ryanair Baggage Policy

Dimensions

Max Weight Limit

Personal Bag

40 x 20 x 25 cm

Unspecified

Large Overhead Cabin Bag

55 x 40 x 20 cm

10 kg

Checked Bag

Unspecified

20 kg

A passenger checking if her bag is within the carry on limits.
Photo: PONG HANDSOME | Shutterstock

Ryanair's passengers wanting to bring more with them have the option to pay to add a second cabin bag to their booking. The dimensions of this second bag are 55 cm x 40 cm x 20 cm​​​​​ (21.7 in x 15.7 in x 7.9 in), and the bag can weigh up to 10kg. According to mybaggage.com, the cost of adding a second bag ranges from €/£6 to €/£20 depending on the flight. While the upper end of this spectrum appears to be expensive, it is worth noting that it also includes priority boarding.

Wizz Air

As for Wizz Air, the Hungarian carrier's free cabin bag dimensions are slightly larger than those of Ryanair. Free baggage can measure up to 40 x 30 x 20 cm (15.7 x 11.8 x 7.9 in). This gives passengers 24 liters of capacity to play with. Interestingly, Wizz Air's measurements don't include the bag's wheels or handles. However, the airline does state that "wheels must add no more than 5 cm to the size of the bag."

A Wizz Air Airbus A320 taking off.
Photo: Airbus

Wizz Air Baggage Policy

Dimensions

Max Weight Limit

Personal Bag

40 x 30 x 20 cm

10 kg

Large Overhead Cabin Bag

55 x 40 x 23 cm

10 kg

Checked Bag

149 x 119 x 171 cm

32 kg

Purchasers of the purple-liveried airline's more expensive 'Wizz Priority' fares are also entitled to a second, larger cabin bag. Destined for the overhead lockers, these can be small suitcases, with their measurements stretching to 55 cm x 40 cm x 23 cm (21.7 x 15.7 x 9.1 in) and weighing up to 10kg. The cost of this supplement ranges from ‎€10 to ‎€58.80 online, according to mybaggage.com.

Following the rules

Airline baggage rules, costs, and limits can change, and you should always check them when you buy a ticket. Sticking to the rules and planning ahead is essential. If you need more than the free allowance, you will always get the best prices when bags are added online, with much higher fees at the airport. It is often cheaper to add bags at the time of booking rather than after you have paid for the ticket; Ryanair is particularly bad for this.

Several passengers checking in for Ryanair flights.
Photo: Milosz Maslanka | Shutterstock

There are also heavy fines for not following the rules. All airlines will charge a fee if your carry-on baggage exceeds the size or weight limit and will usually place the item in the hold. Policing of this varies, but you should always be prepared. easyJet, for example, charges £48 for any bag brought to the gate that does not meet limits.

Making the most of small allowances

For those of us who regularly travel on low-cost flights, the smaller hand luggage allowances are the compromise we make in order to get from place to place for as little money as possible. However, that isn't to say that you can't still do a lot with the dimensions on offer. By packing well or finding a bag that maximizes the allowance, these limits can go much further.

Related
The 5 Best Ways To Make The Most Of Minimal Hand Luggage Allowances
Travelling light is easier when you prepare well in advance.

What do you make of the airlines' differing hand luggage allowances? Which of the three European low-cost giants is your favorite? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!

  • Easyjet
    easyJet
    IATA/ICAO Code:
    U2/EZY (UK) | EC/EJU (Europe) | DS/EZS (Switzerland)
    Airline Type:
    Low-Cost Carrier
    Hub(s):
    Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, Berlin Brandenburg Airport, Geneva Airport, London Gatwick Airport, London Luton Airport, Milan Malpensa Airport
    Year Founded:
    1995
    CEO:
    Johan Lundgren
  • Ryanair Boeing 737
    Ryanair
    IATA/ICAO Code:
    FR/RYR
    Airline Type:
    Low-Cost Carrier
    Hub(s):
    Dublin Airport, London Stansted Airport, Milan Bergamo Airport
    Year Founded:
    1985
    Airline Group:
    Ryanair Group
    CEO:
    Eddie Wilson
    Country:
    Ireland
  • Wizz Air Getty Gdansk
    Wizz Air
    IATA/ICAO Code:
    W6/WZZ
    Airline Type:
    Ultra-Low-Cost Carrier
    Year Founded:
    2003
    CEO:
    József Váradi
    Country:
    Hungary