The easyJet baggage allowance is more generous than Ryanair with cabin bags. That is the good news. The confusing part of the easyJet baggage allowance: your bag might end up in the hold anyway, and the rules around “large cabin bags” change depending on your seat choice. I have flown easyJet probably fifty times over the years, and the easyJet baggage allowance policy still catches people out at the gate.
Here is what you actually need to know about easyJet baggage allowance for 2025.
easyJet Baggage Allowance Summary
Fare / Add-on
Cabin Bag
Large Cabin Bag
Hold Bag
Standard fare
45 x 36 x 20 cm
Not included
Not included
+ Upfront seat
45 x 36 x 20 cm
56 x 45 x 25 cm (15kg)
Not included
+ Extra Legroom seat
45 x 36 x 20 cm
56 x 45 x 25 cm (15kg)
Not included
easyJet Plus member
45 x 36 x 20 cm
56 x 45 x 25 cm (15kg)
Not included
+ Hold bag add-on
45 x 36 x 20 cm
Depends on seat
15kg or 23kg
easyJet Baggage Allowance: Cabin Bag (All Tickets)
Every easyJet ticket includes one cabin bag. No weight limit, only size.
Dimensions: 45 x 36 x 20 cm (including handles and wheels)
This must fit under the seat in front of you. It is larger than Ryanair’s personal bag (40 x 20 x 25 cm), which makes packing easier. A standard backpack or soft weekender bag fits comfortably.
What Happens When the Cabin Is Full
Here is where easyJet differs from Ryanair: if the overhead bins fill up, your cabin bag goes in the hold free of charge. Staff will take it at the gate and you collect it at baggage reclaim.
This sounds fine until you realise:
- You cannot access your bag during the flight
- It adds time at arrivals
- Fragile items or electronics should stay in a smaller bag you keep with you
If you want guaranteed overhead bin space, book an Upfront or Extra Legroom seat. These passengers board earlier and have reserved locker space.
Large Cabin Bag
The large cabin bag is not included with standard fares. You get one if you book:
- Upfront seats (rows 1-5, exit rows)
- Extra Legroom seats
- easyJet Plus membership (annual subscription)
Large cabin bag dimensions: 56 x 45 x 25 cm, maximum 15kg
This is a proper carry-on suitcase size. It goes in the overhead locker and you board with priority.
Is an Upfront Seat Worth It for the Bag?
Upfront seats cost £10-30 depending on the route. You get:
- Large cabin bag included
- Priority boarding
- Faster exit (front of plane)
- More legroom in some rows
If you would otherwise pay £8-15 for a hold bag and want to travel light, the Upfront seat often makes sense. You get a better seat and avoid baggage reclaim.
For Extra Legroom seats, the price jumps to £20-45 but you get significantly more space. Worth it on flights over 2.5 hours if you are tall.
Hold Bag Options
easyJet offers two hold bag weights:
Option
Weight
Price (at booking)
Price (at airport)
15kg hold bag
15kg
£15-28
£40-50
23kg hold bag
23kg
£20-38
£45-60
As with all airlines, booking online is cheaper. Adding a hold bag at the airport costs roughly double.
You can add up to three hold bags per person. Each bag must weigh within its limit — you cannot average across bags.
15kg vs 23kg: Which to Choose
15kg works for:
- Solo travellers on trips up to 10 days
- Summer holidays (lighter clothes)
- Anyone who packs light
23kg is better for:
- Winter trips (heavier clothes, boots)
- Couples sharing a bag
- Bringing back shopping or gifts
- Trips over two weeks
The price difference is usually £5-10. If in doubt, go for 23kg. The stress of repacking at check-in is not worth saving a few pounds.
easyJet Plus Membership
easyJet Plus costs around £250 per year and includes:
- Large cabin bag on every flight
- Priority boarding
- Fast Track security (where available)
- Dedicated bag drop
- Seat selection included
- Flight changes with no fee (fare difference only)
It pays for itself if you fly easyJet more than 8-10 times per year. For occasional flyers, just book Upfront seats when you need the bag space.
Size Checks and Gate Fees
easyJet checks bag sizes at the gate using a sizer. If your cabin bag does not fit:
- Standard ticket: Bag goes in hold free, but you queue and wait at reclaim
- Bag genuinely too large: £48 gate fee to check it
They are less aggressive than Ryanair with measuring, but do not push your luck with rigid cases that are borderline. See easyJet’s official baggage page for current policies.
The 15kg weight limit on large cabin bags is enforced. If your bag is clearly heavy, expect it to be weighed. Overweight bags go in the hold with a fee.
Excess Baggage Fees
Issue
Fee
Oversized cabin bag (no large bag included)
Bag goes in hold free or £48 if genuinely too big
Overweight large cabin bag (over 15kg)
£48 or bag checked to hold
Overweight hold bag
£14 per kg
These fees are per bag, per flight.
Sports Equipment and Special Items
easyJet charges separately for large items:
Item
Price (online)
Golf clubs
£35-45
Skis or snowboard
£40-55
Bicycle
£45-60
Surfboard
£45-60
Musical instrument (large)
£35-50
Small instruments that fit cabin bag dimensions can go as your cabin bag or in the hold. Guitars in hard cases usually need to be checked.
Tips for Flying easyJet
1. Measure your bag at home. The 45 x 36 x 20 cm limit includes handles and wheels. Measure when packed. You can find easyJet-compliant bags on Amazon.
2. Keep valuables in a small personal bag inside your cabin bag. If your bag goes in the hold (full cabin), you can grab essentials first.
3. Book Upfront seats for short trips. The large cabin bag means no checked bag queue at either end.
4. Check bag prices when booking. easyJet shows hold bag prices during booking — they are lowest at this point.
5. Weigh your large cabin bag. The 15kg limit is real. Pack a luggage scale if you are close.
6. Do not buy a 15kg bag if you might need 23kg. Upgrading at the airport is expensive. Downgrading is not possible.
easyJet vs Other Airlines
Airline
Free Bag
Size
Notes
easyJet
Cabin bag
45 x 36 x 20 cm
May go in hold if full
Ryanair
Personal bag only
40 x 20 x 25 cm
Strictest policy
Wizz Air
Personal bag only
40 x 30 x 20 cm
Similar to Ryanair
Jet2
Hand luggage + 10kg hold
56 x 45 x 25 cm
Most generous
British Airways
Cabin bag + personal item
56 x 45 x 25 cm
Full-service carrier
easyJet sits in the middle — more generous than Ryanair, less than Jet2 or full-service airlines.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I take a handbag and a cabin bag?
Not officially. easyJet allows one cabin bag. A small handbag inside your cabin bag is fine, but carrying both separately may be questioned.
Is there a weight limit on the cabin bag?
Not on the small cabin bag (45 x 36 x 20 cm). The large cabin bag has a 15kg limit.
What if my bag is slightly over 45 x 36 x 20 cm?
Soft bags compress — you will probably be fine. Rigid cases that do not fit the sizer go in the hold.
Can I bring duty-free on top of my cabin bag?
Yes, duty-free purchased after security counts as a separate item and is allowed.
Do I get priority boarding with an Upfront seat?
Yes. Upfront and Extra Legroom seats include priority boarding.
Related
- Ryanair Cabin Bag Size and Baggage Allowance 2025
- British Airways Baggage Allowance
- Luggage Scales
- Cabin Bag Backpacks
- Suitcase Sets
