New EU hand luggage rules explained – and the best cabin bags to buy

Whether you’re planning a city break to Barcelona, a cultural escape to Dubrovnik or a long weekend in Mallorca, if you’re travelling with hand luggage, it pays to know your airline’s rules before you get to the airport.

From easyJet to Ryanair and Wizz Air, budget airlines have become increasingly strict about cabin baggage, with the wrong-sized bag potentially resulting in a fee at the gate. But there is a major change on the horizon for passengers flying within the EU.

New EU passenger-rights legislation, officially published in the EU’s Official Journal on 2 October 2026, will eventually give passengers the right to take a personal item and a cabin bag on board without paying an additional fee. The rules are expected to come into force from October 2027.

Under the new rules, passengers will be entitled to a personal item that fits under the seat in front of them, with maximum dimensions of 40 x 30 x 15cm, plus one piece of hand luggage weighing up to 7kg and measuring a maximum of 100cm in combined dimensions. Airlines will also have to display fares including the hand-luggage allowance at the start of the booking process, making it easier to compare the true cost of different flights.

However, these rules do not apply yet – and UK travellers might not benefit as much as others. As the UK is no longer part of the EU, passengers departing from Britain might only be entilted to a free cabin bag when returning home. For example, easyJet has confirmed that the changes will apply to flights returning from EU countries, rather than departures from the UK.

For now, your airline’s existing baggage allowance still applies. Confusingly, every European airline has different rules, which are often subject to change. Ryanair, for example, currently limits its free ‘small personal bag’ to 40cm x 30cm x 20cm, while easyJet allows a slightly larger under-seat bag.

British Airways, on the other hand, offers both a personal bag and a cabin bag as part of its standard allowance, while Jet2, Lufthansa, Iberia and Air France also provide a larger cabin-bag allowance on applicable fares.

“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 your next European getaway, here’s your guide to the current hand luggage restrictions for some of the most popular airlines – plus the best bags to buy.

EasyJet

• Free personal item: 45 x 36 x 20cm
• Standard cabin size: 56 x 45 x 25cm (with large cabin bag allowance)

EasyJet currently allows every passenger to bring one small cabin bag free of charge, provided it fits under the seat in front. A larger cabin bag can be added for an additional fee. The airline has said that the forthcoming EU changes will apply to passengers flying back to the UK from EU countries, but not to passengers departing from the UK.

Ryanair

• Free personal item: 40 x 30 x 20cm
• Standard cabin size: 55 x 40 x 20cm (with Priority)

Ryanair’s current free allowance is limited to a small personal bag, while Priority passengers can also bring a larger cabin bag. The airline has said it will allow additional hand luggage under the new EU rules when they come into effect, although the new legislation itself does not begin until 2027.

Wizz Air

• Free personal item: 40 x 30 x 20cm
• Standard cabin size: 55 x 40 x 23cm (with Priority)

Wizz Air currently permits one free under-seat bag, with a larger trolley bag available to passengers who purchase Priority. The airline has yet to confirm exactly how it will implement the new EU hand-luggage requirements when they come into force.

Jet2

• Free personal item: 40 x 30 x 20cm
• Standard cabin size: 56 x 45 x 25cm (included)

Jet2 currently includes a larger cabin bag in its allowance, alongside a smaller personal item.

TUI

• Free personal item: 40 x 30 x 20cm
• Standard cabin size: 55 x 40 x 20cm (included)

TUI currently allows passengers to take a small under-seat bag and a larger cabin bag, subject to the terms of their booking.

British Airways

• Free personal item: 40 x 30 x 15cm
• Standard cabin size: 56 x 45 x 25cm (included)

British Airways currently permits both a personal bag and a larger cabin bag. As a UK airline, travellers should check the rules applying to their particular route when the new EU legislation comes into force. The new rights are not a blanket change to baggage allowances for flights departing the UK.

Air France

• Free personal item: 40 x 30 x 15cm
• Standard cabin size: 55 x 35 x 25cm

Air France currently permits a personal item alongside cabin baggage on applicable fares.

What are the new EU hand luggage rules?

The new legislation is designed to give passengers greater clarity over what is included in their ticket. From October 2027, passengers covered by the new EU rules will be entitled to one personal item measuring up to 40 x 30 x 15cm – plus one piece of hand luggage weighing up to 7kg. The baggage allowance will be included in advertised fares from the beginning of the booking process, rather than being presented as an additional cost later.

But even after the new legislation comes into force, UK passengers flying out of Britain should not assume they will benefit, as the new rules are more relevant to flights departing from EU airports.

In the meantime, these are the best cabin bags to buy for airlines including Ryanair, British Airways, EasyJet and more.

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

Amazon

Complies 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

Amazon

Complies 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

Amazon

Complies 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

Dunelm

Complies 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 Stockholm hard shell suitcase

M&S

Complies 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.