UK airline hand luggage rules catch people out constantly. Bags that are fine on one airline are too big for another. Weight limits differ. Some airlines weigh at the gate; others don't. Here's a clear, practical guide to hand luggage rules across all major UK carriers in 2026.
Hand luggage size limits by airline
| Airline | Free Cabin Bag (max size) | Paid Overhead Bag (max size) |
|---|---|---|
| Ryanair | 40x30x20cm | 55x40x20cm |
| easyJet | 45x36x20cm | 56x45x25cm |
| Wizz Air | 40x30x20cm | 55x40x23cm |
| British Airways | 56x45x25cm (included) | Personal item: 40x30x15cm |
| Jet2 | 56x45x25cm (included, 10kg) | -- |
| TUI | 55x40x20cm (included, 10kg) | -- |
| Virgin Atlantic | 56x36x23cm (included) | -- |
| Vueling | 40x20x30cm (free) | 55x40x20cm (paid) |
Dimensions are height x width x depth including handles, wheels, and pockets. Check the airline's website for the most current figures.
What "free" and "paid" actually means
On budget carriers, the free bag goes under the seat in front of you. It does not go in the overhead locker. To access the overhead locker, you pay -- either through Priority boarding (Ryanair), an add-on fee (easyJet, Wizz Air), or a higher fare tier.
On Jet2, BA, TUI, and Virgin Atlantic, the cabin bag listed goes in the overhead locker by default. It's a meaningfully different offering.
Hand luggage weight limits
| Airline | Free Bag Weight Limit | Overhead Bag Weight Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Ryanair | Not stated (enforced by sizer) | 10kg |
| easyJet | Not stated (enforced by sizer) | 15kg |
| Wizz Air | Not stated (enforced by sizer) | 10kg |
| British Airways | 23kg total for all cabin bags | -- |
| Jet2 | 10kg | -- |
| TUI | 10kg | -- |
| Virgin Atlantic | 10kg total | -- |
For free underseat bags on budget carriers, there is no published weight limit as such -- they're sized by the physical sizer at the gate. That said, overly heavy bags may be refused or flagged by staff.
Do UK airlines weigh hand luggage?
Inconsistently. Here's the honest picture:
Ryanair: Rarely weigh the underseat bag. They do check size with the sizer at the gate. For Priority bags (overhead), they may weigh at the boarding desk on some routes, particularly if the bag looks heavy.
easyJet: Generally do not weigh cabin bags at the gate, but their staff do visually size and check bags. Large bags that obviously don't fit get stopped.
Jet2: May weigh cabin bags at the gate, particularly on busy charter routes. They enforce their 10kg limit more consistently than budget carriers.
British Airways: Rarely weigh cabin bags, but have the right to do so. Their 23kg total limit is generous enough that few passengers are caught out.
The safest approach: pack within the weight limit regardless, because enforcement is unpredictable and you don't want to be the unlucky one.
Liquids in hand luggage
Current UK airport rules (post-Brexit, applying to all UK outbound flights):
- Each liquid container must be 100ml or less
- All liquids must fit in a single transparent resealable bag, approximately 1 litre (roughly 20x20cm)
- One bag per passenger
- The bag must be presented separately at security
This applies to gels, creams, pastes, and anything with a liquid consistency -- including toothpaste, sun cream, and mascara. Oversized items will be confiscated at security.
Important exception: baby milk, baby food, and essential medicines can be carried in quantities above 100ml if needed for the journey. You may need to show evidence (prescription, medical letter) for medicines.
Some UK airports have installed CT scanners that allow liquids over 100ml and laptops to remain in bags. Heathrow, Edinburgh, Birmingham, and Bristol had lifted the 100ml restriction at CT-equipped lanes as of early 2026. Check your specific departure airport's current rules before travelling, as policies vary by terminal and lane and can change.
Electronics in hand luggage
Laptops and tablets: Remove from your bag and place in a separate tray at security. They stay in your bag during the flight.
Power banks: Must travel in cabin baggage only -- not in the hold. Limits apply based on watt-hour rating. Most consumer power banks (up to 100Wh, roughly 27,000mAh) are permitted without airline approval. Banks between 100-160Wh require airline permission. Over 160Wh are not permitted on passenger flights.
For the full rules on batteries, see our dedicated guide to power banks and batteries on UK flights.
Other electronics: Cameras, e-readers, gaming handhelds, and similar devices travel in the cabin without restriction. Spare lithium batteries must also travel in the cabin (not hold).
Sharp and prohibited items
These cannot go in cabin baggage under any circumstances:
- Knives, scissors with blades longer than 6cm
- Razor blades (though safety razors with cartridges are fine)
- Corkscrews (though some airports and airlines permit blunt-ended ones)
- Anything that could cause injury
These items can travel in hold luggage (checked baggage).
Can you take a backpack and a second bag?
On budget airlines (Ryanair, easyJet, Wizz Air), the answer is effectively no on standard fares. You are permitted one item. Attempting to board with two separate bags will usually result in being asked to consolidate them or pay at the gate.
On Jet2, BA, and Virgin Atlantic, a second personal item (laptop bag, handbag, small camera bag) is typically permitted alongside the main cabin bag.
Practical tips for packing hand luggage
- Measure your bag at home before travel. Use a tape measure -- not a rough estimate.
- Soft bags are safer than hard-sided bags for budget airline allowances, because they can compress slightly in the sizer.
- Don't top-load your cabin bag: liquids, electronics, and documents should be accessible quickly at security.
- Attach nothing externally to your cabin bag: items clipped on the outside may cause your bag to fail the sizer test.
The right cabin bag for UK flights
If you fly budget airlines and want to avoid any risk of gate fees, the Cabin Max Metz backpack (B0C9QNYJD8) is sized to fit within Ryanair's free underseat allowance. We've tested it across multiple carriers and it's never failed a sizer.
For a full comparison of bags sized for different airline allowances, see our best cabin baggage guide.
FAQ
What is the standard hand luggage size for UK flights? There is no single standard. Budget airlines allow 40-45cm in the longest dimension for free. Full-service carriers and charter airlines allow up to 56cm. Always check your specific airline's rules.
Do UK airlines check hand luggage weight? Inconsistently. Budget carriers rarely weigh underseat bags. Charter carriers (particularly Jet2) are more likely to enforce weight limits at the gate. Always pack within the stated limit to avoid problems.
Can I take a full-size cabin bag on Ryanair for free? No. Ryanair's free allowance is for a small underseat bag only (40x30x20cm). A full-size overhead cabin bag requires paying for Priority boarding or a higher fare.
What liquids can I take through UK airport security in hand luggage? Liquids in containers of 100ml or less, all fitting in a single 1-litre clear resealable plastic bag. One bag per person. Baby milk, baby food, and prescription medicines are exempt with appropriate evidence.
For the complete picture on airline policies across all UK carriers, see our UK airline baggage allowance guide and our UK airline baggage comparison chart.