This guide covers carry-on luggage rules for European airlines only. It focuses on cabin bags and under-seat personal items, not checked luggage. If you fly multiple airlines on one trip, pack to the smallest allowance across all flights.

What counts as a carry-on in Europe

Most European fares include either:

• One personal item that must fit under the seat
• One cabin bag for the overhead bin, often a paid add-on on budget fares

Airlines are strict about size. Some also enforce weight. Gate checks are common.

carry On Sizes by Airline

55 × 40 × 20 cm

This is the most common European cabin bag size. It fits the overhead bin on many full service and regional European airlines but is not included for free on most budget fares.

Ryanair Priority Carry On (paid add-on)
Vueling
Volotea
TAP Air Portugal

Important note: Ryanair’s free allowance is smaller. This size requires Priority Boarding. Enforcement is strict, especially on busy and short haul routes.

55 × 40 × 23 cm

This size is slightly deeper and commonly allowed on mid-range and legacy carriers. It is often included only with upgraded economy fares.

Wizz Air Cabin Bag (paid add-on)
Eurowings
Norwegian
PLAY
airBaltic
Lufthansa Economy Light

Important note: Wizz Air and airBaltic are more likely to check weight as well as size. Lufthansa allows this size only on Economy Light with an upgraded cabin bag option.

55 × 35 × 25 cm

This narrower width is common on Dutch and French carriers. It fits most overhead bins but may feel tight if your bag is rigid.

Transavia
KLM Economy Light
Air France Economy Light
ITA Airways Light

Important note: KLM and Air France Economy Light do not include a full carry on by default. This size applies only if your fare includes an overhead bag.

56 × 45 × 25 cm

This is one of the most generous European carry-on sizes. It is usually allowed on full service carriers but may still be restricted by fare type.

easyJet
British Airways Economy Light
Aer Lingus
Jet2
Iberia

Important note: easyJet allows this size only with a paid large cabin bag. British Airways and Iberia include it on most long haul tickets but may restrict it on short haul basic fares.

Personal item rules (under-seat bags)

Most airlines allow a small personal item even when cabin bags are restricted. This bag must fit fully under the seat in front of you and is the only free allowance on many budget fares.

Typical maximum size ranges:
40 × 30 × 20 cm is standard on Ryanair and Wizz Air.
45 × 36 × 20 cm is allowed for easyJet personal items.

Bag choice matters. Backpacks and soft-sided bags work best. Hard cases are more likely to fail size checks, even when they technically meet the measurements.

Weight limits to watch

Some airlines enforce weight as strictly as size. This is more common on budget and regional carriers.

Common limits:
7 kg is typical for Wizz Air and Norwegian.
8 kg is used by Lufthansa Economy Light.
10–12 kg is common on legacy carriers with standard economy fares.

If your bag looks heavy, expect a scale. Enforcement is inconsistent, but visible weight almost always triggers a check.

If your trip includes multiple airlines

Always pack to the smallest size and lowest weight across all flights. A bag that works on a legacy carrier may fail on a budget airline segment, even on the same itinerary.

This is the same approach we use when planning trips that cross multiple countries in Europe.

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Checked baggage rules vary widely by airline and fare. If you plan to check a bag, confirm weight limits and fees before booking.

Carry On Essentials

If you want to see the suitcase we use across Europe and the small items that make packing easier, visit our Carry-On Essentials page. It includes a bag that fits overhead on major European airlines, packing cubes and travel gear we use on every trip.

Knowing carry-on rules saves time, money and stress. Use this guide to avoid surprise fees and plan short flights, weekend trips and last-minute getaways across Europe.