Allowed On Board Carry On Baggage Allowed Cabin Bag sizes for Air Travel
Thought it might be worth collecting the allowed sizes for air travel cabin bags and cases.
Below there’s a listing for the most popular UK Domestic & Continental airlines and their current allowed cabin bag sizes for on board travel, carry on luggage and overhead locker storage.
These were correct at the time of writing but I’ve also included links to their pages, so please double check before you make a purchase to make sure the bags are going to fit.
AerLingus | Air Berlin | Air France | Air India | BMI |
British Airways | Brussels Airlines | China Airlines | Delta | Easyjet |
Emirates | Flybe | KLM | Lufthansa | |
Malaysia Airlines | Qantas | Ryan Air | Swiss Air | Virgin Atlantic |
AerLingus
One single piece of cabin baggage.All carry-on must be within the size dimensions of 55cm x 40cm x 24cm (21.5″ x 15.5″ x 9.5″).Aer Lingus Regional (flight numbers 3000 to 4000 operated by Aer Arann) size limits are 48cm x 33cm x 20cm (18.5″ x 13″ x 7.5″).Etihad Codeshare flights size limits are 60cm x 35cm x 20cm (23.5″ x 13.5″ x 7.5″).

Weight limit of 10kgs (7kgs for Aer Lingus Regional and Etihad Codeshare flights).
Business Class, Gold Circle cardholders and Flex Fare customers
Business Class, Gold Circle cardholders and Flex Fare customers are permitted one additional personal item e.g. slimline laptop bag.
This item should be stowed under the seat in front (at Row 1 / Exit seats it should be stowed overhead).
Air Berlin
A single item of hand baggage may not exceed 8kg (10kg with laptop) and dimensions may not exceed 55cm x 40cm x 20cm. According to the fare and service class booked, you can take the following cabin baggage allowances on board with you.
Passengers in airberlin’s business class may take a second item of cabin baggage weighing up to 8 kg on board (except on flights to / from the USA and Canada: one item of hand luggage).
Air France
Economy
- 1 standard baggage item that respects the following maximum dimensions:
55 cm (l) x 35 cm (w) x 25 cm (h) – including pockets, wheels, and handles - Please note: (1 suit bag is considered a standard bag)
- 1 accessory (handbag, notebook computer, camera, etc.)
- Maximum total weight (standard baggage + accessory): 12 kg/26.5 lb
Premium Economy
- 1 standard baggage item that respects the following maximum dimensions:
55 cm (l) x 35 cm (w) x 25 cm (h) – including pockets, wheels, and handles - Please note: (1 suit bag is considered a standard bag)
- 1 accessory (handbag, notebook computer, camera, etc.)
- Maximum total weight (standard baggage + accessory): 12 kg/26.5 lb
Business
- 2 standard baggage items that respect the following dimensions:
55 cm (l) x 35 cm (w) x 25 cm (h) – including pockets, wheels, and handles
Please note: (1 suit bag is considered a standard bag) - 1 accessory (handbag, notebook computer, camera, etc.)
- Maximum total weight (standard baggage + small baggage + accessory): 18 kg
Air India
PLEASE ENSURE THE CARRY-ON BAGS IN THE CABIN DO NOT EXCEED THE DIMENSIONS OF 55 CMS X 40 CMS X 20 CMS AND A MAXIMUM WEIGHT OF 8 KGS.
BMI
Economy & Economy Flexible
Each customer travelling on either an Economy or Economy Flexible ticket is entitled to bring one main piece of hand baggage onboard, plus one personal item (such as a small handbag, purse, small briefcase, laptop (in a thin satchel), baby-changing bag, etc.). Personal items are accepted at bmi regional’s discretion.
Hand baggage must have a maximum length of 55cm, width of 40cm and depth of 23cm. These dimensions include wheels, handles, side pockets, etc. You will not be allowed to pass through security with hand baggage, which exceeds the specified dimensions. Any customer attempting to do so, will be redirected to check-in and asked to check in their bag into the hold.
British Airways
Hand baggage allowance
- You are allowed one piece of hand baggage plus a laptop or handbag.
- A 23kg (51lbs) maximum bag weight applies and you must be able to lift the bag unaided into the overhead lockers in the aircraft cabin.
- Please see below for sizes.


- Your main piece of hand baggage is up to the dimensions 56cm x 45cm x 25cm (22in x 18in x 10in), including the handle, pockets and wheels.
- Your bag must fit into the bag gauge, available at the check-in area.
- Your laptop or handbag is up to the dimensions 45cm x 36cm x 20cm (18in x 14in x 8in), including the handle and pockets.
- Your laptop or handbag must fit under the seat in front of you.
Your maximum number of hand baggage items
Number of hand baggage items
Passenger | Type of baggage allowed | Weight |
---|---|---|
Adults and children(aged 2 and over) | One bag and One laptop-sized bag, handbag or briefcase |
23kg (51lbs). You must be able to lift the bag into the overhead locker unaided. |
Infants (under 2 years) | One bag (for items your infant may require during the flight) | You must be able to lift the bag into the overhead locker unaided. |
China Airlines
Carry-on Baggage | ||||||||||||||||
Baggage that is suitable for carrying onboard is called Carry-on Baggage. Carry-on baggage includes “Cabin baggage”, “Personal items” , “Special items” and “Block seat cabin baggage”.![]() |
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Cabin baggage | ||||||||||||||||
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Delta
CARRY-ON SIZE RESTRICTIONS
It won’t fit. Three words you don’t want to hear when trying to board. To avoid delays and possible checked bag fees, follow these size requirements:
- Baggage may not exceed 45 linear inches (or 114 cm) in combined length, width and height, including any handles and wheels
- Baggage must fit easily in the Carry-on Baggage Check (approximately 22″ x 14″ x 9″ or 56 x 35 x 23 cm), which is located near the check-in counters
Easyjet
Cabin Bag – what goes in and what stays out?
You can take one piece of hand baggage into the cabin with you -no bigger than 56 x 45 x 25cm incl wheels- which must fit comfortably into the baggage gauge. Hand bags, briefcases, laptops and laptop bags are all counted as one piece so if you have a hand bag and a laptop bag for example, you might want to consider putting one inside the other.
Emirates
First Class and Business Class customers are permitted two pieces of carry-on baggage: one briefcase plus either one handbag or one garment bag. The briefcase may not exceed 18 x 14 x 8 inches (45 x 35 x 20cm); the handbag may not exceed 22 x 15 x 8 inches (55 x 38 x 20cm); the garment bag can be no more than 8 inches (20cm) thick when folded. The total combined weight of both pieces may not be more than 26lb (12kg).
Economy Class customers are permitted one piece of carry-on baggage that may not exceed 22 x 15 x 8 inches (55 x 38 x 20cm) and must weigh no more than 15lb (7kg).
Flybe
Small 15kg Bag
For those occasions when you wish to carry just the essentials, a Small bag allows you to carry one bag weighing up to 15 kilos
KLM
You may take the following as hand baggage: | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Travel class | Number & dimensions | Weight restriction | Permitted accessories | ||
Economy Class | 1 bag measuring 55 x 25 x 35 cm (21.5 x 10 x 13.5 inch) (l x w x h)* | Your hand baggage, including accessories, may not exceed 12 kg (26 lbs). | 1 of the following: handbag, briefcase, camera, small laptop, or 1 other item of similar or smaller size | ||
Business Class | 1 bag measuring 55 x 25 x 35 cm (21.5 x 10 x 13.5 inch) (l x w x h)* and one bag smaller than 45 x 20 x 35 cm (18 x 8 x 13.5 inch) (l x w x h)** | Your hand baggage, including accessories, may not exceed 18 kg 40 lbs). | 1 of the following: handbag, briefcase, camera, small laptop, or 1 other item of similar or smaller size | ||
* The sum of the dimensions may not be greater than 115 cm (45 inches), including wheels and handles. ** Exception for World Business Class passengers: on flights from India you may only carry one item of hand baggage. You may check in a second hand bag free of charge. |
Lufthansa
Number and weight of items of hand luggage
In First and Business Class you may take two pieces of hand luggage and their contents on board with you. Economy Class passengers are only permitted one piece of hand luggage. Please check for possible country-specific variations to this general rule.
A piece of hand luggage may not be larger than 55 cm x 40 cm x 23 cm and may not weigh more than 8 kg. Foldable garment bags are an exception to this; they count as hand luggage up to a size of 57 cm x 54 cm x 15 cm.
Items of hand luggage which exceed these limits will be carried free of charge in the cargo hold within your permitted free baggage allowance, as storage space on board is limited.This is in the interests of your own and other passengers’ safety and comfort. Please ensure that you remove any medicines and any valuables such as your laptop, mobile phone, PDA, documents, identity papers, jewellery, etc, from your hand luggage if it has to be carried in the cargo hold.
Please note that certain items that you may take with you into the cabin in your hand luggage, cannot remain in your hand luggage if this is transported in the hold. This rule concerns the following items: fuel cell systems and spare fuel cartridges; portable oxygen concentrators; safety matches and lighters; spare lithium metal or spare lithium ion batteries
Malaysia Airlines
Hand baggage allocation
- First Class/Business Class passengers – two pieces each
- Economy Class passengers – one piece each
- Each hand baggage must not weigh more than 7 kg
Passengers with infant are allowed to carry additional 5kg piece of hand baggage.
Dimensions
Each piece must not exceed the following dimensions:
Dimension | Length | Height | Width | Total |
All aircraft types (B737, B777, A330 and A380) | 56 cm (22 inches) |
36 cm (14 inches) |
23 cm (9 inches) |
115 cm (45 inches) |

Hand baggage exceeding the dimension and weight or the number allowed, must be checked as check-in baggage.
Qantas
Carry-on Baggage Allowances
Current Qantas and QantasLink Carry-on Baggage allowances for adults and children (except infants) are as follows.(See the Musical Instruments information below).
- US Flights only: there is no limit on the number of pieces of Mobility Equipment allowed to be carried for customers with a disability and it does not count toward the carry – on baggage allowance.
Route | Piece Allowance & Dimensions* | Weight Allowance |
---|---|---|
Australian Domestic (except Dash 8 services and to/from Olympic Dam) |
All Classes:
|
7kg (15lb) per piece |
Dash 8 services |
|
7kg (15lb) total |
Olympic Dam |
|
4kg (9lb) total |
All International |
First/Business/Premium Economy:
Economy:
|
7kg (15lb) per piece |

Maximum dimensions of Carry-on Baggage
Total dimensions are measured by adding together the length, height and depth of the bag.
Length | Height | Depth | Total linear dimensions |
---|---|---|---|
48cm (19in) | + 34cm (13in) | +23cm (9in) | = 105cm |
56cm (22in) | + 36 cm (14in) | + 23cm (9in) | = 115cm (45in) |
60cm (24in) | + 114cm (45in) | +11cm (4in) | = 185cm (73in) non-rigid garment bag |
81 cm (31.9in) | +30cm (11.8in) | +19cm (7.5in) | = 130cm (51in) musical instrument |
Ryan Air
CABIN BAGGAGE
Strictly one item of cabin baggage per passenger (excluding infants) weighing up to 10kg with maximum dimensions of 55cm x 40cm x 20cm is permitted. (handbag, briefcase, laptop, shop purchases, camera etc.) must be carried in your 1 permitted piece of cabin baggage.
Swiss Air
Hand baggage
More and more airports are enforcing their hand baggage rules. SWISS also endeavours to avoid problems due to excessive hand baggage. The objective is your personal safety and comfort on board.
Please note our rules on hand baggage and save yourselves the risk of having to repack your baggage at the check-in counter. Baggage that does not comply with the rules must be checked in. The rules depend on your booking class.
Swiss First |
Swiss Business | Swiss Economy | |
---|---|---|---|
Number of pieces | 2 | 2 | 1 |
Dimensions per piece | 55x40x23 cm | 55x40x23 cm | 55x40x23 cm |
Weight per piece | 8kg | 8kg | 8kg |
We also accept as hand baggage a foldable garment baggage with maximum dimensions of 57 x 54 x 15 cm
Virgin Atlantic
Hand baggage
Virgin Atlantic’s hand baggage allowance is pleasingly straight forward.
Great news. From 31st March 2013, we’re increasing our hand baggage allowance in Economy, Premium Economy and Little Red flights from 6kg to 10kg, when flying to any Virgin Atlantic destination. Our Upper Class hand baggage allowance remains the same.
Please see out latest news for more information.
Little Red (UK domestic)
Number of items | One |
Maximum size | 23 x 36 x 56 cm (that’s approx. 9 x 14 x 22 inches) |
Maximum weight | 10kg (22 lb) |

Please note that a garment bag cannot be used as your hand baggage unless it fits the dimensions of the hand baggage allowance. If you’d like to bring one but it exceeds 23 x 36 x 56 cm, it will need to be as additional checked in baggage.
If you want to take your laptop onboard, you’ll need to place it in your original hand baggage or check your hand baggage in.
Please note passengers must be able to place their hand baggage in the overhead bins unaided.
Passengers connecting onto Virgin Atlantic and travelling in Upper Class are entitled to the Upper Class baggage allowance.
Economy
Number of items | One |
Maximum size | 23 x 36 x 56 cm (that’s approx. 9 x 14 x 22 inches) |
Maximum weight | 10kg (22 lb) |

Please note that a garment bag cannot be used as your hand baggage unless it fits the dimensions of the hand baggage allowance. If you’d like to bring one but it exceeds 23 x 36 x 56 cm, it will need to be as additional checked in baggage.
If you want to take your laptop onboard, you’ll need to place it in your original hand baggage or check your hand baggage in.
Please note passengers must be able to place their hand baggage in the overhead bins unaided.
Premium Economy
Number of items | One |
Maximum size | 23 x 36 x 56 cm (that’s approx. 9 x 14 x 22 inches) |
Maximum weight | 10kg (22 lb) |

Please note that a garment bag cannot be used as your hand baggage unless it fits the dimensions of the hand baggage allowance. If you’d like to bring one but it exceeds 23 x 36 x 56 cm, it will need to be as additional checked in baggage.
If you want to take your laptop onboard, you’ll need to place it in your original hand baggage or check your hand baggage in.
Please note passengers must be able to place their hand baggage in the overhead bins unaided.
Upper Class
Number of items | Two |
Maximum size (each item) | 23 x 36 x 56 cm (that’s approx 9 x 14 x 22 inches) |
Maximum weight (combined) | 16kg (35 lbs) |
Maximum weight (individual item) | 12 kg (26 lbs) |

In Upper Class, your hand baggage can also include one garment bag, 20cm (8 inches) thick – again, this shouldn’t exceed 12kgs in weight. This will count towards your two bag limit.
Please note passengers must be able to place their hand baggage in the overhead bins unaided.
The Upper class hand baggage allowance also applies to children age 2+.
Children and infants
Number of items | One |
Maximum size | 23 x 36 x 56 cm (that’s approx. 9 x 14 x 22 inches) |
Maximum weight (infant aged 0-2) | 6kg (13 lb) |
Maximum weight (children aged 2+) | 10kg (22lbs) |

Passengers travelling with infants or children can bring a fully collapsible pushchair and car seat, in addition to their free check in luggage allowance.
Please note passengers must be able to place their hand baggage in the overhead bins unaided.
Children age 2+ travelling in the Upper Class cabin are entitled to Upper Class baggage allowance.