Every UK airline baggage allowance is different, and the rules change regularly. I have lost count of the times I have seen passengers caught out at the gate, paying £50+ because their bag was 2cm too wide or they assumed their ticket included a cabin bag when it did not.
This UK airline baggage allowance guide compares the major airlines side by side so you know exactly what you get before you book.
UK Airline Baggage Allowance: Quick Comparison
| Airline | Free Bag | Dimensions | Weight | Overhead Bin? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jet2 | Hand luggage + personal item | 56 x 45 x 25 cm | 10kg | Yes |
| British Airways | Cabin bag + personal item | 56 x 45 x 25 cm | 23kg | Yes |
| easyJet | Cabin bag | 45 x 36 x 20 cm | No limit | Sometimes* |
| Wizz Air | Personal bag | 40 x 30 x 20 cm | No limit | No |
| Ryanair | Personal bag | 40 x 20 x 25 cm | No limit | No |
*easyJet cabin bags may go in the hold free if overhead bins are full.
Winner for UK airline baggage allowance: Jet2, followed by British Airways. Both include a full-size cabin bag in the overhead locker.
Most restrictive UK airline baggage allowance: Ryanair. The 40 x 20 x 25 cm personal bag is the smallest of any major UK airline.
Free Bag Size Comparison
To visualise the difference:
| Airline | Width | Height | Depth | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jet2 / BA | 56 cm | 45 cm | 25 cm | 63 litres |
| easyJet | 45 cm | 36 cm | 20 cm | 32 litres |
| Wizz Air | 40 cm | 30 cm | 20 cm | 24 litres |
| Ryanair | 40 cm | 25 cm | 20 cm | 20 litres |
Jet2 and BA give you three times the bag volume of Ryanair. That is the difference between a full week’s packing and a single change of clothes.
Paid Cabin Bag Options
If you need more than the free allowance, here is what each airline offers:
| Airline | Add-on | Bag Size | Weight | Typical Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ryanair | Priority & 2 Cabin Bags | 55 x 40 x 20 cm | 10kg | £6-10 |
| Wizz Air | Wizz Priority | 55 x 40 x 23 cm | 10kg | £10-25 |
| easyJet | Upfront/Extra Legroom seat | 56 x 45 x 25 cm | 15kg | £10-45 |
| Jet2 | Already included | — | — | — |
| British Airways | Already included | — | — | — |
For Ryanair and Wizz Air, the Priority add-on is usually better value than checking a bag. You get 10kg in the cabin, priority boarding, and no baggage reclaim wait.
Checked Bag Prices
Prices vary by route and season. These are typical ranges when booking online:
| Airline | 15kg | 20kg | 23kg | 26kg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ryanair | — | £20-35 | — | — |
| Wizz Air | — | £25-40 | — | £35-50 |
| easyJet | £15-28 | — | £20-38 | — |
| Jet2 | — | — | £25-40 | — |
| British Airways | — | — | Included* | — |
*BA Economy Basic has no checked bag. Other Economy fares include 23kg.
Best value for checked bags: Jet2holidays packages include 22kg per person. If you are booking a holiday anyway, this often works out cheaper than flight + hotel + bags separately.
Gate Fees
Get caught with an oversized or overweight bag at the gate and you will pay:
| Airline | Oversized Cabin Bag | Overweight Bag |
|---|---|---|
| Ryanair | £70 | £11/kg |
| Wizz Air | £50 | £11-14/kg |
| easyJet | Free to hold or £48 | £14/kg |
| Jet2 | Must check (need allowance) | £13/kg |
| British Airways | Varies | £65-100 per bag |
Ryanair has the harshest gate fees. A bag that is 2cm too wide costs £70 — more than many flight tickets.
Best Airline by Trip Type
Weekend City Break (Carry-on Only)
Best: Jet2 or easyJet
Jet2 includes a full 56 x 45 x 25 cm bag. easyJet’s 45 x 36 x 20 cm bag is enough for a weekend, and if the cabin is full it goes in the hold free.
Avoid Ryanair unless you can pack into 40 x 20 x 25 cm or want to pay for Priority.
Week-Long Holiday
Best: Jet2holidays or British Airways
Jet2holidays packages include 22kg checked bag per person. BA Economy (not Basic) includes 23kg.
If flying budget, add Ryanair Priority (£6-10) or Wizz Priority (£10-25) for a 10kg cabin bag, or book a checked bag when you book the flight.
Two-Week Holiday or Winter Trip
Best: Jet2holidays or BA
You will want 20kg+ checked. Jet2holidays includes this. BA includes 23kg on most fares.
Budget option: Book Ryanair/easyJet/Wizz with a 20kg+ checked bag added during booking.
Travelling with Sports Equipment
Best: Jet2 or British Airways
Both have reasonable sports equipment fees and more flexible policies. Budget airlines charge similar amounts but have stricter size limits.
| Item | Ryanair | easyJet | Wizz Air | Jet2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Golf clubs | £35-55 | £35-45 | £35-50 | £35-50 |
| Skis | £40-60 | £40-55 | £40-55 | £45-55 |
| Bicycle | £60-75 | £45-60 | £45-65 | £50-60 |
Airline-by-Airline Breakdown
Ryanair
The strictest baggage policy of any UK airline.
Free: Personal bag 40 x 20 x 25 cm (under seat only)
Priority add-on: +10kg cabin bag for £6-10
Checked bags: 10kg or 20kg, £13-35 online
Ryanair works if you pack light or always add Priority. The base fare looks cheap but baggage fees add up.
easyJet
More generous than Ryanair, less than Jet2.
Free: Cabin bag 45 x 36 x 20 cm (may go in hold if cabin full)
Upfront seat: +Large cabin bag 56 x 45 x 25 cm (15kg)
Checked bags: 15kg or 23kg, £15-38 online
easyJet is a good middle ground. The free bag is usable, and Upfront seats are worth it for the larger cabin bag.
Jet2
The most generous UK budget airline.
Free: Hand luggage 56 x 45 x 25 cm (10kg) + personal item
Packages: 22kg checked bag included with Jet2holidays
Checked bags: 22kg, £25-40 online
Jet2 is the best for baggage if you fly from a regional airport they serve. The hand luggage alone beats most airlines’ paid options.
Wizz Air
Similar to Ryanair but slightly larger free bag.
Free: Personal bag 40 x 30 x 20 cm (under seat only)
Wizz Priority: +10kg cabin bag for £10-25
Checked bags: 10kg to 32kg, £15-65 online
Wizz Air is strong for Eastern European routes. The free bag is 50% larger than Ryanair’s, which makes a difference.
British Airways
Full-service carrier with included baggage on most fares.
Free: Cabin bag 56 x 45 x 25 cm (23kg) + personal item
Checked bags: Included on most fares (not Economy Basic)
Economy Basic: No checked bag, cabin only
BA costs more but includes more. For transatlantic or long-haul, the included baggage and seat selection often make BA competitive with budget carriers plus add-ons.
Full British Airways baggage guide
Tips for Any Airline
1. Measure and weigh at home. Buy a luggage scale (£10-15) and a tape measure. Check before every trip.
2. Book bags when booking flights. It is always cheaper. Adding later costs more, airport prices are highest.
3. Wear heavy items. Boots, coat, and heavy jumper on the plane, not in the bag.
4. Use soft bags for cabin luggage. Rigid cases that are borderline will fail the sizer. Soft bags compress.
5. Check your booking confirmation. Screenshot it. If there is any dispute at the gate, you have proof of what you paid for.
6. Compare total cost, not base fare. A £30 Ryanair flight plus £25 Priority plus £30 checked bag is £85. A £75 Jet2 flight with included bags might be cheaper.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which airline has the best free baggage?
Jet2, followed by British Airways. Both include a full cabin bag plus personal item.
Which airline is strictest?
Ryanair. Smallest free bag and highest gate fees.
Can I take a handbag and a cabin bag?
On Jet2 and BA, yes. On Ryanair and Wizz Air, only if you pay for Priority. On easyJet, not officially.
Do airlines weigh cabin bags?
Jet2, Ryanair Priority, Wizz Priority, and easyJet large cabin bags have weight limits that are sometimes enforced. BA rarely weighs.
Is it cheaper to add bags online or at the airport?
Always online. Airport prices are typically double.
Related
- Ryanair Cabin Bag Size 2025
- easyJet Baggage Allowance 2025
- Jet2 Baggage Allowance 2025
- Wizz Air Baggage Allowance 2025
- British Airways Baggage
- Luggage Scales
- Cabin Bag Backpacks
