There's plenty to think about when planning holidays, from the essentials you need to pack to checking your documents are valid - but don't forget those pesky airline hand luggage rules.
Long gone are the days when you always got free bags to check in; nowadays, hand luggage only fares themselves come with restrictions. Not to mention that airlines TUI, easyJet, Ryanair and British Airways each have their own policies around what you can bring onboard flights for free, whether that's one small bag or two.
To help you avoid any nasty surprises, we've put together a guide to the 2024 bag rules for the UK's biggest airlines.
Ryanair hand luggage rules
Check hand luggage rules before you head for the airport (NurPhoto via Getty Images)Every Ryanair fare includes a small personal bag that must fit under the seat in front of you. This could be a backpack measuring 40cm by 25cm or a carry-on bag that's 40cm by 20cm.
If you want to bring another bag, you'll need to pay extra. For example with Priority and 2 Cabin Bags, you get to board the plane first and take both your small personal bag (40x20x25cm) and a 10kg wheelie bag (55x40x20cm) on board. This means you won't have to wait for your bag at the terminal when you arrive. If Priority is sold out, you can buy their 10kg Check-in Bag.
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You can find out more here.
Jet2 hand luggage rules
You're allowed to bring one piece of hand luggage on board for free, as long as it doesn't weigh more than 10kg and isn't bigger than 56cm x 45cm x 25cm, including any wheels and handles. If your hand luggage is heavier or larger, it will need to be checked into the aircraft hold, and you might have to pay an extra charge.
You can also bring a small, personal item on board (like a handbag, laptop bag or airport purchase), as long as it fits under the seat in front of you. But remember, you can't drink any alcohol bought at the airport (or before) during the flight.
A Jet2 spokesperson said: "All hand luggage is carried in the cabin at our discretion, and we reserve the right to check it into the aircraft hold for operational or capacity reasons. If this happens, make sure you take all valuable items (including travel documents, money, medication, keys, spare lithium batteries, and any electronic items containing lithium batteries) and carry these with you in the cabin."
You can find out more here.
EasyJet hand luggage rules
Each airline has its own policy (Ben Queenborough/PinPep)Everyone can bring one small cabin bag per person on board for free on easyJet planes.
It can be a maximum size of 45 x 36 x 20 cm (including any handles or wheels) and needs to fit under the seat in front of you. That should be enough to bring all the essentials for your journey or for a short trip. Your bag can weigh up to 15kg, but the airline says you'll need to be able to lift it and carry it yourself.
If you want to bring a larger cabin bag on board, you can book this for extra with Speedy Boarding - but your bag will still be subject to a maximum size of 56 x 45 x 25 cm, including any handles and wheels.
For easyJet Plus cardholders or customers who have booked a FLEXI fare, you can also bring a large cabin bag on board (in addition to your small cabin bag) as part of your membership or fare benefits.
You can find out more here.
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British Airways hand luggage rules
If you've booked hand luggage only fares, you bring one personal bag such as a laptop bag or handbag measuring max 40x30x15cm including handles, pockets and wheels. You can also have an additional cabin bag weighing no more than 23kg and measuring no more than 56x45x25cm.
This includes the airline's hand luggage only fares. It's worth noting that while your handbag/laptop size bag is guaranteed to travel with you in the cabin, on busier flights you may need to check in the additional larger bag.
Any extra bags will need to be checked-in and will count towards your checked luggage allowance. Some British Airways fares include this as part of the booking, but if you exceed your allowance because you're adding extra hand luggage, then you may be charged.
You can find out more on the British Airways website.
TUI hand luggage rules
Your luggage allowance with TUI will vary depending on what type of holiday you book. For package holidays, you can take one piece of hand luggage per person (excluding infants) weighing up to 10kg and with maximum dimensions of 55x40x20cm on a TUI Airways flight.
You must be able to lift your hand luggage into the overhead storage compartments yourself. You can bring a Trunki case as hand luggage, as long as it weighs no more than 10kg. In addition to the piece of hand luggage you can also bring one small personal item, things like laptops, handbags or a briefcase and this must be small enough to be stored under the seat.
While for flights only bookings, the rules are a bit different. You can carry one piece of hand luggage of up to 10kg for free. The maximum dimensions of your hand luggage can be 55x40x20cm and you must be able to lift your hand luggage into the overhead storage compartments yourself. In addition to the piece of hand luggage you can also bring one small personal item, things like laptops, handbags or a briefcase, and this must be small enough to be stored under the seat.
You can find out more here.
Virgin Atlantic hand luggage rules
You can bring one piece of hand luggage weighing no more than 10kg as well as a smaller bag such as a handbag, small backpack or rucksack. (Economy or Premium cabins only) for free. Babies and toddlers aged 0-23 months are entitled to one bag each weighing up to 6kg, kids aged two or over have the same hand luggage allowance as adults.
You can find out more here.
Wizz Air hand luggage rules
Wizz Air's policy is similar to Ryanair's in that you can bring one bag measuring no more than 40x30x20cm that must fit under the seat in front of you, such as a handbag or laptop bag. It must not weigh more than 10kg.
If you want to bring a second bag for the overhead locker, you can opt to upgrade to a WIZZ Priority booking which includes an additional cabin bag measuring no more than 55x40x23cm and weighing no more than 10kg. Alternatively you can also pay to add checked luggage to your booking.
Wizz Air's measurements don't include wheels but the airline says that these "must add no more than 5 cm to the size of the bag".
You can find out more here.
* An AI tool was used to add an extra layer to the editing process for this story. You can report any errors to webhomepage@mirror.co.uk
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