easyJet Hand Luggage Allowance: What You Can Actually Carry

What Is easyJet's Hand Luggage Allowance?

easyJet gives every passenger one free under-seat bag measuring 45 × 36 × 20 cm and weighing up to 15 kg. Most fares also include a larger overhead cabin bag 56 × 45 × 25 cm, up to 15 kg, though the cheapest 'Standard' seats on some routes may require you to add it separately. If you turn up at the gate with an oversize bag you haven't paid for, you'll face a charge of £48–£60.

This guide walks through exactly what you're entitled to bring, how the two-bag system works, and how to pack efficiently so you never pay more than you should.

The Free Under-Seat Bag

Every easyJet passenger – even on the most basic fare – can bring one small bag measuring 45 × 36 × 20 cm and weighing up to 15 kg. It must fit under the seat in front of you. That's more generous than Ryanair's personal item, which is 40 × 30 × 20 cm, and the weight allowance is the highest among UK budget carriers.

You can use this allowance for:

• A backpack
• A handbag or tote
• A laptop bag
• A small soft cabin bag

Our Easyjet Underseat Cabin Bag (40×25×20 cm) fits comfortably and leaves a few centimetres of headroom if you need to squeeze in a jacket. If you're travelling for a long weekend, our guide on packing three days in an underseat bag shows you how to avoid hold baggage altogether.

The Overhead Cabin Bag

Most easyJet tickets include a larger cabin bag measuring 56 × 45 × 25 cm weighing up to 15 kg. This goes in the overhead locker and is included if you've booked:

• Paid add-on, FLEXI or Inclusive Plus fare, or easyJet Plus membership

If your ticket doesn't include it, you can add a cabin bag during booking or afterwards through 'Manage Bookings' on the easyJet website or app. The cost varies by route and season, typically from £6 to £35 one-way. Paying at the gate costs £48–£60, so always check before you leave home.

Our full easyJet carry-on bag guide explains the differences between fare types and when it's worth paying for the extra bag.

Comparing easyJet to Other UK Carriers

Here's how easyJet stacks up against Ryanair and Wizz Air for hand luggage:

easyJet's under-seat dimensions and weight allowance are the most generous of the three, and if you've booked anything beyond the absolute cheapest fare, your overhead bag is already included. For a detailed cost comparison on a week-long holiday, see our Jet2 vs Ryanair baggage breakdown, which also covers easyJet's position in the market.

Weight Limits and Enforcement

easyJet allows up to 15 kg for your under-seat bag and up to 15 kg for your overhead cabin bag. In practice, easyJet rarely weighs hand luggage at UK airports unless a bag looks visibly overloaded or the flight is very full. Staff focus on dimensions rather than kilos.

That said, some European airports – particularly in Spain and Italy – are stricter. If you're flying from Málaga, Barcelona, or Rome, expect gate staff to check both size and weight more carefully. Our article on cabin bag weight limits across UK airlines explains which carriers enforce weight rules and which rarely bother.

How to Maximise Your easyJet Allowance

If you're travelling with just the free under-seat bag, you'll want to use every centimetre. Here are four practical ways to fit more:

1. Roll clothes tightly – this reduces creases and saves 20–30% more space than folding.
2. Use packing cubes – compression cubes squeeze bulky layers down and keep everything organised.
3. Wear your heaviest items – boots, coats, and jeans don't count if you're wearing them through security.
4. Decant toiletries – transfer shampoo and moisturiser into 100ml bottles and pack them in a clear bag. See our guide on hand luggage liquids rules for the latest UK scanner changes.

For longer trips, our guide on packing one week in cabin luggage only shows you exactly how to fit seven days of clothing, shoes, and toiletries into one overhead cabin bag.

What Happens If Your Bag Is Too Big?

If you arrive at the gate with a bag that exceeds 45 × 36 × 20 cm and you haven't paid for cabin baggage, easyJet will charge you £48–£60 to move it into the hold. The airline uses rigid sizers at every gate, so there's no room for negotiation.

If your overhead bag is slightly over 56 × 45 × 25 cm, staff may still allow it if the flight isn't full, but you're taking a risk. The safest approach is to measure your bag at home with a tape measure before you leave. Our Ryanair bag sizer guide explains how gate staff actually measure bags, and the same principles apply to easyJet.

Liquids, Batteries, and Restricted Items

easyJet follows standard UK and EU security rules. You can carry:

• Liquids, gels, and creams in containers up to 100ml, packed in a single clear resealable bag no larger than 20×20 cm (1 litre capacity).
• Power banks and spare batteries in hand luggage only, not in checked bags. Our power bank hand luggage rules guide covers capacity limits and airline-specific policies.
• Sharp objects, lighters, and aerosols are restricted. Check our banned items in hand luggage UK list before you pack.

Travelling with easyJet Plus or FLEXI Fares

If you're a frequent easyJet flyer, the easyJet Plus membership (annual fee around £215–£240 depending on when you buy) includes:

• A large cabin bag on every flight
• Speedy boarding
• One free checked bag per flight (up to 23 kg)
• Dedicated bag drop and security fast track

The FLEXI fare includes a large cabin bag, one hold bag, and the ability to change your flight without a fee. For occasional travellers, adding a cabin bag individually is usually cheaper. For eight or more return flights a year, easyJet Plus can pay for itself.

Which Bag Should You Buy?

If you're shopping for a bag that works with easyJet's under-seat allowance, we stock several options that fit 45 × 36 × 20 cm:

All three fit under the seat and leave room for a coat or duty-free bag on top. For a full roundup of tested bags, see our guide to the best underseat cabin bags for UK airlines.

If you're looking for accessories to make packing easier, our Combination Padlocks (2-Pack) and Travel Toiletry Bag are both compact and fit neatly into any underseat bag.

FAQ

Q: Can I bring a handbag and a cabin bag on easyJet?

A: Yes, but only if your fare includes a large cabin bag (56 × 45 × 25 cm). In that case, you can bring both a small under-seat bag (45 × 36 × 20 cm) and the larger overhead bag. If your ticket doesn't include the overhead bag, you're limited to one small item only.

Q: Does easyJet weigh hand luggage at the gate?

A: easyJet staff usually check dimensions rather than weight at UK airports. However, if a bag looks overstuffed or the flight is busy, they may weigh it. Your under-seat bag can weigh up to 15 kg, and your overhead cabin bag up to 15 kg. Some European airports enforce weight limits more strictly.

Q: What size is easyJet's under-seat bag allowance?

A: easyJet allows one small bag measuring 45 × 36 × 20 cm weighing up to 15 kg. This must fit under the seat in front of you and is included on every fare, even the cheapest.

Q: How much does it cost to add a cabin bag to an easyJet flight?

A: If your fare doesn't include a large cabin bag, you can add one during booking or via 'Manage Bookings' for around £6–£35 depending on the route. At the gate, the fee jumps to £48–£60. Always add it in advance to avoid the surcharge.

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If you're looking for a reliable underseat bag that fits easyJet's allowance perfectly, browse our easyJet-compatible cabin bags or read more on the easyJet hub page for fare breakdowns and packing tips.

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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: easyJet Plus Worth It? When the Card Beats Pay-Per-Flight Fees