Every airline has their own restrictions to it: rules for hand luggage. How heavy can your hand luggage be? And how big? Don’t worry, we’re here to help! Here’s an overview of the rules for your hand luggage for the best-known airlines!
If you’re traveling with just hand luggage, you can save a lot on your airline ticket. Especially with budget airlines, you can go to very surprising places with only hand luggage without instantly finishing your budget! However, there are strict rules for hand luggage, like the size and weight of it. Does your hand luggage appear to be too large or too heavy when you check in? Then it counts as hold baggage and you’ll have to pay an additional fee for the checked luggage … So long, benefits of your budget flight!
Rules for hand luggage
In the table below I have listed all the best-known airlines and their requirements regarding the weight and dimensions of your hand luggage. Click on the name of the airline to go directly to their website. Here you will find even more specific information.
The schedule is based on economy class. The rules for your hand luggage may differ, depending on your destination. In addition to your hand luggage, you can often take a piece of personal luggage with you, such as a small handbag, laptop or a photo bag. Some airlines have rules for the personal luggage as well. Make sure you check them in advance to avoid unpleasant surprises at the airport.
| Airline | Max. sizes hand luggage (cm) | Max. weight hand luggage (kg) |
| Air Arabia | 55 x 40 x 20 | 10 kg |
| Air Canada | 55 x 40 x 23 Personal luggage: 43 x 33 x 16 | Does not apply |
| Air France | 55 x 35 x 25 Personal luggage: 40 x 30 x 15 | 12 kg |
| Aer Lingus | Aer Lingus: 55 x 40 x 24 Aer Lingus Regional: 48 x 33 x 20 | Aer Lingus: 10 kg Aer Lingus Regional: 7 kg |
| Alitalia | 55 x 35 x 25 | 8 kg |
| American Airlines | 56 x 36 x 23 | Does not apply |
| British Airways | To/from Brazilië 56 x 45 x 25 Personal luggage: 45 x 36 x 20 Other flights 56 x 45 x 25 Personal luggage: 40 x 30 x 15 | 23 kg |
| Brussels Airlines | 55 x 40 x 23 Personal luggage: 40 x 30 x 10 | 12 kg (incl. personal luggage) |
| Cathay Pacific | 56 x 36 x 23 Personal luggage: 15 x 30 x 40 | 7 kg |
| China Eastern Airlines | Domestic flights 55 x 40 x 20 Other flights 56 x 45 x 25 (total max. 115 cm) | 10 kg |
| China Southern Airlines | Total max. 115 cm | 5 kg |
| Delta Airlines | 56 x 35 x 23 | Does not apply |
| Easyjet | 56 x 45 x 25 Personal luggage: 45 x 36 x 20 | Does not apply |
| Emirates | 55 x 38 x 20 | 7 kg |
| Etihad Airways | 50 x 40 x 25 Personal luggage: 40 x 30 x 15 | 7 kg Personal luggage: 5 kg |
| Garuda Indonesia | 56 x 36 x 23 | 7 kg |
| Iberia | 56 x 45 x 25 Personal luggage: 40 x 30 x 15 | Does not apply |
| Japan Airlines | 55 x 40 x 25 | 10 kg |
| KLM | 55 x 35 x 25 Personal luggage: 40 x 30 x 15 | 12 kg |
| Lufthansa | 55 x 40 x 23 Foldable bag: 57 x 54 x 15 | 8 kg |
| Malaysia Airlines | 56 x 36 x 23 | 7 kg |
| Qantas | 56 x 36 x 23 | 7 kg |
| Royal Air Maroc | Total max. 115 cm | 10 kg |
| Ryanair | 40 x 20 x 25 | Does not apply |
| SAS | 55 x 40 x 23 Personal luggage: 40 x 30 x 15 | 8 kg |
| Singapore Airlines | Total max. 115 cm | 7 kg |
| Southwest Airlines | 60 x 40 x 25 Personal luggage: 47 x 34 x 21 | Does not apply |
| Swiss International Air Lines | 55 x 40 x 23 | 8 kg |
| TAP Portugal | 55 x 40 x 20 Personal luggage: 40 x 30 x 15 | 8 kg Personal luggage: 2 kg |
| Transavia* | 45 x 40 x 25 55 x 40 x 25 | 10 kg |
| TUI Fly | 55 x 40 x 25 | 10 kg |
| TUI Fly Nordic | 55 x 40 x 23 (20 for Sweden) | 5 kg |
| Turkish Airlines | 55 x 40 x 23 | 8 kg |
| United Airlines | 56 x 35 x 22 Personal luggage: 43 x 25 x 22 | Does not apply |
| Virgin Atlantic | 56 x 36 x 23 | 10 kg |
| Vueling | 55 x 40 x 20 Personal luggage: 35 x 20 x 20 | 10 kg |
| Wizz Air | 40 x 30 x 20 | 10 kg |
* Transavia has two different sizes for permitted hand luggage: 45 x 40 x 25 cm and 55 x 40 x 25 cm. At the airport, your hand luggage will be labeled, red or green. Hand luggage with the first size will get a green label and you can take it as hand luggage, no matter what. This piece of luggage also fits under the seats. Hand luggage with the second size will receive a red label and will fit in the compartments above your seat. If these are full, the other pieces of luggage with a red label can still be put in the hold. You don’t have to pay anything extra for this.
Have you found the right weight and dimensions for your hand luggage? Time to pack!
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