With the start of the New Year now fully upon us, chilly Brits are turning their thoughts to summer holidays.
Savvy travellers are picking up cut-price holiday deals in the January travel sales, as holiday companies throw in free child places, free lounge access and even free Fastrack airport deals to get us booking. But knowing where to find the perfect size luggage for your swimsuits and sundresses before you go will save you even more time and money when you get to the airport.
With different airlines including Ryanair, easyJet, TUI, British Airways and Wizz Air offering different allowances for both cabin bags and hold luggage, avoiding hold fees and excess baggage charges can be challenging.
READ MORE: January sales see discounts up to 60% on cabin cases for easyJet, Ryanair, TUI and more
This year could see changes coming to larger UK airports as the 100ml liquids restrictions are eased. To help you pack to the max without falling foul of airline restrictions, we've compiled a full list of the rules that apply to all UK airlines for 2024.
BA trainee claims they're 'jobless and miles from home' due to 'shambles'Aer Lingus
Cabin bags
- For regional flights, passengers are permitted one piece of cabin baggage with a weight limit of 7kg and maximum dimensions of 48 x 33 x 20 cm.
- For all other flights, Aer Lingus permits one piece of cabin baggage with a weight limit of 10kg and maximum dimensions of 55 x 40 x 24 cm.
- Passengers can also bring a smaller piece of hand luggage into the cabin, such as a laptop, with maximum dimensions of 25 x 33 x 20cm.
Hold luggage
- For flights in Europe, passengers are permitted to bring hold luggage weighing 20kg or 25kg, or two combined bags weighing no more than 40kg in total.
- For Transatlantic flights passengers on Smart and Flex fares are already entitled to bring a 23kg (50lb) bag. Additional hold luggage options include checked baggage of 20kg, 25kg and 30kg.
- Hold luggage fees start from €25 online or €27 at the airport. Excess baggage is charged at €10 per extra kilo for flights in Europe and €75 per bag for Transatlantic flights.
For more information, visit the Aer Lingus website here.
British Airways
Cabin bags
- One cabin bag measuring no more than 56x40x23cm and one personal item measuring no more than 40x30x15cm. Passengers must be able to lift them into the overhead lockers.
Hold luggage
- British Airways offers different allowances depending on fare:
- Economy Basic - cabin and handbag only
- Economy with checked bag - one 23kg bag
- Premium Economy - two 23kg bags
- Business - two 23kg bags
- First - three 23kg bags
Bags should measure no more than 90x75x43cm.
For more information, visit the British Airways website here.
EasyJet
Cabin bags
- One cabin bag measuring no more than 45x36x25 and weighing no more than 15kg.
- Passengers can book an additional large cabin bag measuring no more than 56x45x25. Prices start from £5.99
- EasyJet Plus members and passengers who have booked a FLEXI fare are also entitled to bring a large cabin bag onboard
Hold luggage
- Small hold bag or case weighing up to 15kg - prices start from £6.99
- Medium or large bag or case weighing up to 23kg - prices start from £9.49 or £40 at bag drop desk
Fees vary depending on the route selected, flight and time of booking. Excess luggage fees are charged at £12
British Airways' January sale has £300 off holidays - here are the best dealsFor more information visit the easyJet website, here.
Emirates
Cabin bags
- Economy customers are permitted one piece of carry-on baggage that must not exceed 55 x 38 x 20cm and must weigh no more than 7kg.
- First Class and Business Class customers are allowed two pieces of carry-on baggage: one briefcase plus either one handbag or one garment bag. The briefcase may not exceed 45 x 35 x 20cm; the handbag may not exceed 55 x 38 x 20cm; garment bags can be no more than 20cm thick when folded. The weight of each piece must not exceed 7kg.
Hold luggage
- Economy customers are permitted one piece up to 23kg for Special or two pieces up to 23kg for Saver, Flex and Flex Plus
- First Class and Business customers are permitted two pieces up to 32kg each
For more information visit the Emirates website, here.
Jet2
Cabin bags
- One piece of hand luggage is free of charge, as long as it weighs no more than 10kg and is no larger than 56cm x 45cm x 25cm.
- Passengers can also bring a small, personal item on board.
Hold luggage
- Passengers can usually bring one 22kg hold bag per person included in the cost of their holiday. Additional hold luggage up to £22kg can be purchased at £45 per item, up to a total of three items per person.
- Bags weighing between 22 and 32kg will be charged an excess baggage fee of £12 per kilogram.
For more information, visit the Jet2 website here.
Ryanair
Cabin bags
- All fares include one small personal bag which can be brought on board, such as a handbag or laptop bag (40x20x25cm), which must fit under the seat in front of you.
- Priority and 2 Cabin Bag customers can bring a small personal bag measuring no more than 40x20x25cm, which must fit under the seat in front of you and a 10kg bag measuring no more than 55x40x20cm onboard.
Hold luggage
- A 10kg checked bag or case can be added to each booking. Prices vary between £25 and £35 per flight pre-booked or £45.99 at check-in.
- A 20kg checked bag or case can also be added to each booking. Prices vary between £50 and £59.99 per flight pre-booked or £69.99 at check-in.
Excess baggage fees are charged between £19 and £11 per kilo.
For more information, visit the Ryanair website here.
TUI Airways
Flight-only cabin bags
- One piece of hand luggage measuring no more than 55x40x20. It must weigh no more than 10kg and be able to be lifted into the overhead locker.
- One small personal item such as a handbag or laptop bag must be able to fit under the seat in front.
Flight-only hold luggage
All checked luggage can be booked via the Flight Extras website. Prices vary depending on size, weight and route.
Package holidays cabin bags
- One piece of hand luggage measuring no more than 55x40x20. It must weigh no more than 10kg and be able to be lifted into the overhead locker.
- One small personal item such as a handbag or laptop bag must be able to fit under the seat in front.
Package holidays hold luggage
- Passengers are entitled to a 15kg luggage allowance on most TUI package holidays. Certain types of holiday come with a bigger allowance of 20kg – this will be clearly shown on the booking if it applies.
Luggage that is heavier than the designated luggage allowance will be charged at:
- Short haul flights: £13 per kilogram.
- Mid-haul flights: £15 per kilogram.
- Long haul flights: £18 per kilogram.
For more information, visit the TUI website here.
Virgin Atlantic
Cabin bags
- All tickets include hand baggage measuring no more than 23 x 36 x 56cm as well as a small handbag or laptop bag. They must not weigh more than 10kg
Hold luggage
- All packages are entitled to one 23kg bag for free unless they are flying Economy Light. Certain routes including Delhi, Mumbai, and Lagos, have a different baggage allowance.
- Up to seven additional bags can be purchased when passengers check in online. Prices start from £50 per bag.
For more information, visit the Virgin Atlantic website here.
Vueling Airlines
Cabin bags
- All customers can take a cabin bag on board, free of charge measuring no more than 40x20x30 cm, as well as any purchases made at the airport. All cabin bags must fit under the seat in front.
- Premium and TimeFlex Fare passengers can also bring a 55x40x20cm cabin bag weighing no more than 10kg.
- Large cabin bags can be purchased in advance, with prices starting from £21.59 online or £49.49 at check-in.
Hold luggage
- Optima and Family fares include one 25 kg bag per passenger in the booking. Additional bags weighing from 15kg to 30kg bags can be added with prices ranging from €10 to €26 according to weight. Excess baggage from 25 kg will be charged at €112 per extra kg, up to a maximum of 32kg.
For more information, visit the Vueling website here.
Wizz Air
Cabin bags
- All passengers are entitled to bring on 40x30x20cm bag onboard for free. The bag must weigh less than 10kg and fit under the seat in front.
- Large cabin bags measuring no more than 55x40x23cm can be purchased with Wizz Priority.
Hold luggage
- Checked bags and cases can be booked for an additional fee
- 10kg bag or case - €5.00 – €71.50
- 20kg bag or case - €8.00 – €95.00
- 32kg bag or case - €19.00 – €125
For more information, visit the Wizz Air website here.
Passengers should be sure to check their booking information and e-ticket before they travel, to ensure that the allowances above apply to their fare.