Aer Lingus hand luggage allowance
Every fare includes a 10 kg bag — but on a Saver fare you pay to bring it on board.
Aer Lingus works differently from the other low-cost carriers out of the UK and Ireland. Every fare already includes a 10 kg bag of 55 × 40 × 24 cm — the only question is whether it travels in the cabin with you or goes in the hold for free. On top of that, every passenger gets a genuinely useful free personal item of 40 × 30 × 20 cm, the same footprint Ryanair and Wizz Air allow, which is why a bag built for the Ryanair sizer passes here too.
The rules
- Every Aer Lingus fare includes a 10 kg bag measuring 55 × 40 × 24 cm — the only question is whether it flies in the cabin or in the hold.
- All customers also get one small personal item of 40 × 30 × 20 cm free — handbag, laptop bag, duty-free or baby changing bag — stowed under the seat in front of you.
- To take the 10 kg bag into the cabin you need the 10kg Carry-on bag. It is included with Plus, Advantage and AerSpace fares, AerClub Silver, Platinum and Concierge members, Economy fares bought through British Airways, the adult travelling with an infant, and transatlantic or interline connections.
- On a Saver fare without that add-on you can still bring the same 10 kg bag — it is dropped at the bag desk free of charge and collected from the belt.
- Bring a 10 kg bag to the boarding gate without the carry-on allowance and it is loaded into the hold for €35.
- Aer Lingus Regional flights operated by Emerald Airlines (EI3000–EI3999) have used the same 10 kg, 55 × 40 × 24 cm allowance since 3 March 2026, replacing the old 7 kg turboprop limit.
- Sizes include wheels and handles, and bags are expected to fit the gauge units at the airport.
Aer Lingus fees at a glance
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Small personal item (40×30×20) | £0 |
| 10kg Carry-on bag on Plus / Advantage / AerSpace (55×40×24) | £0 |
| 10kg Carry-on bag added to a Saver fare | Varies by route and date — cheapest when booking |
| The same 10 kg bag dropped at the bag desk instead | £0 |
| 20 kg checked bag (included on Plus / Advantage) | Varies by route and date — cheapest when booking |
| 10 kg bag brought to the gate without the carry-on allowance | €35 |
Airline baggage fees and rules change frequently and can vary by route, travel date and when you book. Always check Aer Lingus's current official baggage policy before travelling.
Bags that fit — every time
40×30×20 cm · 24L · 0.5kg
Fits Ryanair free underseat +14 more
40×30×20 cm · 24L · 0.5kg
Fits Ryanair free underseat +14 more
40×30×20 cm · 21L · 0.5kg
Fits Ryanair free underseat +14 more
40×30×20 cm · 30L · 1.5kg
Fits Ryanair free underseat +14 more
55×40×20 cm · 45L · 0.7kg
Fits easyJet cabin bag +12 more
55×40×20 cm · 40L · 2kg
Fits Ryanair cabin bag +12 more
Check any bag against Aer Lingus's exact dimensions
Enter your bag's outside measurements and we'll tell you instantly whether it passes — free, no login needed.
FAQ
What is the Aer Lingus personal item size?+
40 × 30 × 20 cm. Aer Lingus publishes it as height 40 cm, width 30 cm, depth 20 cm for a small handbag, laptop bag, duty-free bag or baby changing bag, and it must go under the seat in front of you.
Is the Aer Lingus personal item 25 × 33 × 20 cm?+
No. 25 × 33 × 20 cm is an out-of-date figure that still circulates on third-party baggage tables. Aer Lingus' own baggage page states 40 × 30 × 20 cm for the small personal item, and that is the number we size bags against.
Is a cabin bag included with Aer Lingus?+
Every fare includes a 10 kg bag of 55 × 40 × 24 cm, but carrying it into the cabin requires the 10kg Carry-on bag. That is included on Plus, Advantage and AerSpace fares, for AerClub Silver and above, on Economy fares bought through British Airways, for the adult travelling with an infant, and on transatlantic or interline connections. On a Saver fare you either buy it or drop the bag at check-in for free.
What does Aer Lingus charge at the gate?+
If you do not have the 10kg Carry-on bag on your booking and you arrive at the boarding gate with a 10 kg bag, it goes in the hold for €35. Dropping the same bag at the bag desk before security costs nothing.
Is Aer Lingus Regional still 7 kg?+
No. Since 3 March 2026 Aer Lingus Regional flights operated by Emerald Airlines (EI3000–EI3999) use the same 10 kg, 55 × 40 × 24 cm carry-on allowance as mainline Aer Lingus. The old 7 kg regional wording is still present in the source of the official baggage page but is commented out and no longer shown to passengers — so plan on 10 kg, and screenshot your booking if you are quoted the old limit.
Will a Ryanair bag fit Aer Lingus?+
Yes. Aer Lingus' free personal item is 40 × 30 × 20 cm, exactly the same as Ryanair's free under-seat allowance, so a bag that passes the Ryanair sizer travels free on Aer Lingus too.