Figuring out the dos and don’ts for hand luggage can be quite the jungle – and to make matters worse, the airlines often have different rules and standards when it comes to hand luggage weight and size. In order to avoid those pesky fees, it’s a splendid idea to get acquainted with the particular requirements of your airline before you leave home.
Furthermore, to make sure you get through security smoothly, remember to check what you’re allowed to bring along. Read on and get the lowdown on those tricky hand luggage rules and the specific requirements of some of the most popular airlines, and you’ll be well prepared for your next adventure.
Hand luggage rules of specific airlines
- Ryanair hand luggage
- Norwegian hand luggage
- SAS hand luggage
- EasyJet hand luggage
- KLM hand luggage
- Air France hand luggage
- Emirates hand luggage
- Lufthansa hand luggage
- British Airways hand luggage
- What am I allowed to bring in my hand luggage?
Ryanair
Ryanair was established in 1985, and today it’s Europe’s biggest airline. Ryanair’s named after the founder, Christy Ryan, and it was Europe’s first low-cost carrier. Today Ryanair flies to a sum of 950 destinations worldwide, spread across 26 countries.
Ryanair has the following hand luggage rules:
When you travel with Ryanair you’re allowed to bring along a small bag in the cabin. You’re also allowed to bring a regular cabin bag, but due to recent regulations it will be placed in the hold at the onboarding gate at no additional charge. You can always find the latest information on Ryanair’s hand luggage rules here.
Hand luggage size: Height: 35cm Width: 20cm Depth: 20cm
Additional cabin bag: Height: 55cm
Width: 40cm Depth: 20cm
Additional cabin bag weight: Max. 10kg
Norwegian
Norwegian is (surprise) a Norwegian low-cost carrier, established in 1993. Today Norwegian is Scandinavia’s second largest airline, and when it comes to low-cost carriers it’s Europe’s third biggest. This airline flies to more than 100 destinations in Europe, North Africa and the Middle East.
Norwegian has the following hand luggage rules:
When you travel with Norwegian you’re allowed to bring hand luggage and an extra small personal item, be it a handbag or laptop bag, that fits underneath the seat in front of you. You can always find the latest information on Norwegian’s hand luggage rules here.
Hand luggage weight: 10-15kg
(the hand luggage weight restrictions depend on your flight ticket)
Hand luggage size: Height: 55cm
Width: 40cm
Depth: 23cm
SAS
Scandinavian Airlines, also known as SAS, was founded in 1946. SAS is the flag carrier of Denmark, Sweden and Norway, and today it’s Scandinavia’s largest airline, flying to destinations across the world. SAS is also one of the founding members of Star Alliance, the world’s largest alliance.
SAS has the following hand luggage rules:
On your travels with SAS you’re allowed to bring along hand luggage and an extra handbag or laptop bag. You can always find the latest information on SAS’ hand luggage rules here.
Hand luggage weight: Max. 8kg
Hand luggage size:
Height: 55cm
Width: 40cm
Depth: 23cm
Dimensions for extra bag: Height: 40cm
Width: 30cm
Depth: 15cm
easyJet
easyJet was founded in Great Britain in 1995 by businessman Stelios Haji-Ioannou. Today it’s Europe’s second biggest low-cost carrier, only surpassed by Ryanair. easyJet flies to several hundreds of destinations in more than 30 countries and is especially present in France, Spain and Italy.
easyJet has the following hand luggage rules:
When you travel with easyJet you’re only allowed to bring one piece of hand luggage, unless you have an easyJet Plus card, a Flexi ticket, if you’re an Up Front or Extra Legroom customer or if you’re travelling with an infant (under 2) on your lap. You can always find the latest information on easyJet’s hand luggage rules here.
Hand luggage weight: No weight limit
(as long as you’re able to lift it into the overhead locker)
Hand luggage size:
Height: 56cm
Width: 45cm
Depth: 25cm
KLM
KLM, or KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, was founded all the way back in 1919, established as the national airline of the Netherlands. It merged with Air France in 2004 and today offers flights to more than 240 destinations across the world.
KLM has the following hand luggage rules:
When you travel with KLM you’re allowed to bring a piece of hand luggage and an extra accessory, eg. a handbag, briefcase or laptop. However, the total weight of the hand luggage and the extra bag combined can’t exceed 12kg (weight restrictions depend on your flight ticket). You can always find the latest information on KLM’s luggage rules here.
Hand luggage weight: 12-18kg including one extra small bag
Hand luggage size:
Height: 55cm
Width: 35cm
Depth: 25cm
Dimensions for extra bag:
Height: 40cm
Width: 30cm
Depth: 15cm
Air France
Air France used to be France’s national airline and was established in 1933. Today it’s part of Air France-KLM, as the company merged with KLM in 2004. They now fly to more than 240 destinations combined, spread across 106 countries. They’re particularly present in Paris and Amsterdam.
Air France has the following hand luggage rules:
On an Air France flight, you’re allowed to bring an extra handbag or laptop bag beside your hand luggage. However, the combined weight of the hand luggage and the extra bag cannot exceed 12kg. You can always find the latest information on Air France’s luggage rules here.
Hand luggage weight: 12-18kg
(the hand luggage weight restrictions depend on your flight ticket)
Hand luggage size:
Height: 55cm
Width: 35cm
Depth: 25cm
Dimensions for extra bag:
Height: 40cm
Width: 30cm
Depth: 15cm
Emirates
Emirates is the world’s fourth-largest airline and was founded in 1985 in Dubai with backing from the royal family. Emirates flies to 140 destinations across the world and is part of Skywards frequent flyer program.
Emirates has the following hand luggage rules:
When you travel with Emirates you’re only allowed to bring one piece of hand luggage. You can always find the latest information on Emirates’s hand luggage rules here.
Hand luggage weight: 7kg
Hand luggage size:Height: 38cm Width: 55cm Depth: 20cm
Lufthansa
Lufthansa is the largest German airline and was founded in 1955. Lufthansa is one of the founding members of the Star Alliance, the world’s largest airline alliance.
Lufthansa has the following hand luggage rules:
When you travel with Lufthansa you’re allowed to bring an extra handbag or laptop bag along with your hand luggage. You can always find the latest information on Lufthansa’s hand luggage rules here.
Hand luggage weight: 8kg
Hand luggage size: Height: 40cm Width: 55cm Depth: 23cm
Dimensions for extra bag: Height: 30cm Width: 40cm Depth: 10cm
British Airways
British Airways was founded in 1974 and is the second largest airline in the United Kingdom, behind easyJet, at least, if you measure by passengers carried. British Airways flies to 183 destinations across the world and is a founding member of the oneworld airline alliance.
British Airways has the following hand luggage rules:
When you travel with British Airways you’re allowed to bring an extra handbag or laptop bag together with your hand luggage. You can always find the latest information on British Airway’s hand luggage rules here.
Hand luggage weight: 7kg
Hand luggage size: Height: 45cm Width: 56cm Depth: 25cm
Dimensions for extra bag: Height: 45cm Width: 36cm Depth: 20cm
What am I allowed to bring in my carry-on?
Do you know what you’re allowed to bring in your hand luggage? © Ismailciydem / iStock
Are you in doubt of the general hand luggage allowances? Below you’ll find a quick guide to the general rules, so you’ll up the chances of speeding through security.
Liquids
When it comes to liquids it’s important you pay extra good attention. Liquids don’t just mean water and other drinks, as you might think, but also all sorts of fluids like deodorant, perfume, cremes, lotions, etc.
All liquids you bring inside the cabin can be a max of 100ml each, which means you are allowed to bring say a 50ml roll-on deodorant or moisturizer. All liquids combined need to fit into a one-liter, see-through, reclosable ziplock bag.
If you don’t have such a plastic bag already, you can buy them at the airport and put your products in before you get to the security check. It’s a good idea to pack your liquid bag at the top of your hand luggage as it needs to go on a separate tray in the security scanner.
Toiletries
All liquid products need to go in the ziplock bag as described above, while non-liquid toiletries like make-up (e.g. compact powder) can stay in your toilet bag. Note that even mascara counts as a liquid.
Food
You are allowed to bring snacks in your hand luggage, just remember that all drinks you bring along are counted as liquids and need to be packed according to the liquid restrictions (100ml per container, and packed with all other liquids in the ziplock bag).
Usually, you’re also allowed to bring a lunch box aboard the plane, but make sure to check this with your chosen airline as rules may vary.
Special conditions
There are certain exceptions to the 100-millilitre liquid restrictions and these include baby food, infant formula, special dietary food and similar, which often comes in containers that exceed the 100ml limitation. They still need to go through security control and are only allowed in the amount necessary for the flight.
Medication
You are allowed to bring medications in your hand luggage, and even if these are fluid, they’re not required to meet the liquid regulations. Still, you’re advised to bring along your prescription if you’re taking prescribed medication on board, particularly if you’re bringing fluid medication that exceeds the 100ml limit. Just in case they’d like to check it at security.
Also, it’s a good idea to check if you need additional documentation for your specific type of medication, eg. a travel letter or a pill passport.
Cigarettes
You can bring cigarettes in your hand luggage, but make sure to check how many cigarettes you’re allowed to bring into the country of arrival. However, if you only bring along the amount you’ll need for your trip, there shouldn’t be a problem. Note that you’re only allowed to bring one lighter per person and you will need to carry it on you and not packed in your hand luggage as it presents a fire hazard.
E-cigarettes
You are allowed to bring your e-cigarettes in your hand luggage, but you can’t bring nicotine refills with a hazard symbol. You can, however, bring bottles of e-liquid smaller than 100ml, but remember they still need to be packed in the ziplock bag.
Eager to check the hand luggage requirements for your specific airline? Choose your airline in the drop down menu below – and you’ll see the hand luggage allowances and dimensions for the world’s top 250 airlines:
