Avoid Airline Baggage Fees: 7 Habits That Keep Costs at Zero

Baggage fees now cost UK travellers more than the base fare on many short-haul routes. But seven straightforward habits—none requiring sacrifice—can keep your luggage costs at zero, trip after trip, across every airline you're likely to book.

1. Choose the right bag before you fly

Every UK carrier allows one free under-seat bag. Dimensions vary: 40 × 30 × 20 cm on Ryanair, 45 × 36 × 20 cm on easyJet, 40 × 30 × 20 cm on Jet2. The universal fit is 40×25×20 cm—it satisfies every major UK airline and budget carrier.

A proper under-seat bag isn't a handbag or a tote. Look for something soft-sided, structured enough to stand upright, and ideally with a flat base. The Bordlite Underseat Cabin Bag (40×25×20 cm, £10.48) fits every sizer without fuss. The Cabin Backpack 40×25×20 (0.5 kg, £11.48) works just as well if you prefer straps.

If you need more detail on universal sizing, read our guide on bags that fit all airlines.

2. Measure and weigh at home, not at the gate

Gate fees are punitive: £70–£75 on Ryanair, £48–£60 on easyJet, around €65 on Wizz Air. The only way to avoid them is to know—before you leave—that your bag fits and, where checked, weighs within limits.

Keep a tape measure in your bag drawer. Measure depth, width and height with the bag packed as you'd carry it. Wheels, handles and external pockets all count—every airline measures the full silhouette.

For weight, use bathroom scales. Stand on them holding the bag, note the total, then weigh yourself alone and subtract. If your under-seat bag weighs more than a couple of kilos when full, you're packing wrong.

3. Roll clothes, not fold them

Rolling saves 20–30 per cent more space than folding, and clothes emerge less creased. Start with heavier items—jeans, jumpers—at the bottom of the bag. Roll T-shirts, underwear and lighter layers tightly, tucking them into gaps around the edges.

Stuff socks and belts inside shoes, then place shoes along the sides or base. Use every void: the gap behind a rigid back panel, the space under a laptop sleeve, the pocket meant for documents.

Our weekend packing guide explains the technique in detail, with a full three-day kit list that fits in 40 × 30 × 20 cm.

4. Wear your bulkiest items through security

Coats, boots and thick jumpers take up half a cabin bag. Wear them instead. Even on a summer flight to Spain, you can carry a jacket over your arm until you board, then stuff it in the overhead locker or under your seat once the bag is stowed.

This habit alone turns a two-bag trip into a one-bag trip. It's especially useful on Ryanair and Wizz Air, where only Priority passengers get overhead access without paying extra.

5. Master the liquid rules before you pack toiletries

Every UK airport still enforces the 100 ml rule for liquids, gels and pastes, all of which must fit in a single resealable bag no larger than one litre. That's roughly 20×20 cm. Oversized bottles get binned at security, and replacing them airside costs a fortune.

Buy travel-sized toiletries, or decant from full-size bottles into refillable 100 ml containers. Our hand luggage liquids guide explains the latest scanner rollout and where the rules are changing.

Solid alternatives—bar shampoo, solid deodorant, toothpaste tablets—bypass the liquid limit entirely and weigh next to nothing. A hanging toiletry bag (£4.99) keeps everything tidy and accessible.

6. Know which airlines include cabin bags—and which don't

Ryanair, easyJet and Wizz Air charge for overhead access unless you buy Priority, a bundle, or a premium seat. Jet2, British Airways and TUI include it free. If you're comparing fares, factor in the true cost—not just the headline price. Our Ryanair baggage fees breakdown shows what you'll actually pay.

For a full comparison across all UK carriers, see our airline cabin bag size guide.

7. Pack a collapsible bag for the return journey

Souvenirs, duty-free and impulse buys add up. A lightweight foldable tote or duffel—flat-packed in your main bag—gives you a second under-seat bag on the way home, as long as it fits the dimensions and you didn't already max out your allowance.

British Airways and Jet2 let you carry two cabin items (one under-seat, one overhead) on every ticket. Ryanair and easyJet allow only one unless you've paid for overhead access. Know the rule before you shop.

If you're flying British Airways and want to use both bags properly, our two cabin bags guide explains the allowance in full.

When a paid cabin bag is still cheaper than hold luggage

Sometimes you do need more space. A week-long trip with work clothes, or a winter break with ski layers, won't fit in 40 × 30 × 20 cm. In that case, paying for overhead cabin access is almost always cheaper than checking a bag.

Ryanair Priority costs £6–£24 depending on route and season. A 10 kg checked bag starts at £12.99 and rises to £40 or more. The checked bag also takes longer—you wait at baggage claim, risk delays, and have no access to your belongings until you land.

Our guide to packing one week in cabin luggage only shows how far you can stretch an overhead cabin bag before you need to check anything.

What not to pack: the fastest way to lose time and money

Even if your bag fits, the wrong contents will cost you. Power banks over 100 Wh, lithium batteries loose in your bag, liquids over 100 ml, and sharp objects all trigger delays at security or confiscation. Our banned items guide lists everything prohibited in UK cabin baggage.

If you're carrying a power bank—essential for long days—make sure it's under 100 Wh and packed in your cabin bag, never in the hold. The Fast-Charge Power Bank 45 W (£28.48) is flight-legal and fits easily in any under-seat bag. Our power bank rules guide explains the watt-hour limit in detail.

Final thought

Baggage fees are optional. The airlines present them as inevitable, but they're not—every fee corresponds to a packing decision you can change. Choose the right bag, measure it, pack strategically, and you'll fly for years without paying a penny beyond the fare.

Browse our range of under-seat cabin bags to find the right fit for your next trip.

FAQ

Q: Can I avoid baggage fees on Ryanair and still pack for a week?

A: Yes, but you'll need to pack strategically. Use a full 40 × 30 × 20 cm under-seat bag, roll every item, wear your bulkiest clothes on the plane, and plan to do laundry mid-trip or pack quick-dry layers. A week is tight but achievable for warm-weather destinations.

Q: Do airlines weigh under-seat bags at the gate?

A: Rarely. Most UK carriers don't publish or enforce weight limits for under-seat bags—except easyJet, which allows up to 15 kg. Size is checked far more often than weight. If your bag fits the sizer and isn't visibly overstuffed, you'll almost never be asked to weigh it. See our cabin bag weight limits guide for airline-by-airline detail.

Q: Is it worth paying for Priority on Ryanair to avoid baggage fees?

A: Usually, yes—if you need more than 40 × 30 × 20 cm. Priority costs £6–£24 and includes overhead cabin-bag access. A 10 kg checked bag starts at £12.99 and goes up sharply closer to departure. Priority also lets you board first and carry your belongings with you. Our Ryanair Priority breakdown compares the costs across different routes and booking windows.

Q: Can I bring a handbag and a cabin bag on easyJet without paying?

A: Not for free on a basic ticket. EasyJet includes one under-seat bag (45 × 36 × 20 cm) on every fare. A handbag counts as that bag unless it's small enough to fit inside it. To carry an overhead cabin bag as well, you need a paid add-on, an Up Front or Extra Legroom seat, a FLEXI fare, or easyJet Plus membership. Full rules are in our easyJet hand luggage guide.

Airline baggage rules and fees change frequently and can vary by route, travel date and when you book. Always check the airline's current official baggage policy before travelling.

Also worth reading: Norwegian Baggage Allowance: What's Included Free in 2026