easyJet Large Cabin Bag Cost: When the Add-On Is Worth It

Q: What size is the free easyJet under-seat bag?

The free under-seat bag can measure up to {{airline:easyjet:personal_item}} and weigh up to {{airline:easyjet:personal_item_weight}}. It's one of the most generous free allowances among European budget airlines and is included on every fare, even the cheapest.

What the easyJet Large Cabin Bag Add-On Costs

The easyJet large cabin bag add-on lets you bring a 56 × 45 × 25 cm, up to 15 kg bag into the overhead locker, plus your free 45 × 36 × 20 cm under-seat bag. Prices start at £6.99 per flight when booked early on quiet routes, but climb to £37.49 on peak summer weekends and school holidays. The cost changes based on route popularity, time of year, and how close you are to departure.

If you turn up at the gate without pre-booking, easyJet charges a £48–£60 fee — far more than the advance rate. That makes the decision simple: either book ahead or pack light.

How to Get the Large Cabin Bag Without Paying Per Flight

easyJet includes the overhead cabin bag free with certain fares and memberships:

FLEXI fares: unlimited changes, fast-track security, and the large cabin bag included
Inclusive Plus tickets: overhead bag, a hold bag up to 23 kg, and a pre-allocated seat
easyJet Plus membership: annual card (currently £215–£239) that includes the large cabin bag on every flight, plus fast-track and speedy boarding
Upfront and Extra Legroom seats: these paid seat selections automatically include the large cabin bag

If you fly easyJet more than eight times a year, easyJet Plus can work out cheaper than buying the bag add-on every time. Otherwise, booking the bag separately or choosing an upfront seat may be the smarter call.

When the Large Cabin Bag Add-On Makes Sense

The overhead bag pays for itself in three situations:

You're carrying bulky winter clothing — coats, boots and jumpers eat through underseat space faster than summer clothes. A 56 × 45 × 25 cm bag gives you room to pack properly without wearing half your wardrobe to the gate.
You're bringing back shopping or gifts — if you know you'll return with more than you left with, the bag cost is usually less than the hold baggage fee (from around £9.49 for a 15 kg bag, but often £30+ if added late).
The add-on is under £10 — on off-peak routes and early bookings, the bag can cost less than a meal deal at the airport. At that price, the convenience alone justifies it.

If your trip is a long weekend in a warm place and you're happy to pack light, the free 45 × 36 × 20 cm, up to 15 kg under-seat bag is usually enough.

Comparing the Two Cabin Bag Options

Feature	Free Under-Seat Bag	Large Cabin Bag (paid)
Dimensions	45 × 36 × 20 cm	56 × 45 × 25 cm
Weight limit	15 kg	15 kg
Cost	Free on every fare	£6.99–£37.49 per flight, or included with FLEXI / Plus / certain seats
Gate fee if oversized	£48–£60	£48–£60
Typical use	2–3 day trips, light packers	Week-long trips, winter travel, shopping

The under-seat bag fits under the seat in front — you keep it with you the entire flight. The overhead bag goes in the locker above, which means you board in the earlier group but won't have access during the flight.

How easyJet Compares to Ryanair and Wizz Air

Airline	Free under-seat bag	Cabin bag (overhead)	Included free?	Gate fee
easyJet	45 × 36 × 20 cm, up to 15 kg	56 × 45 × 25 cm, up to 15 kg	No — Paid add-on, FLEXI or Inclusive Plus fare, or easyJet Plus membership	£48–£60
Ryanair	40 × 30 × 20 cm	55 × 40 × 20 cm, up to 10 kg	No — Priority & 2 Cabin Bags add-on	£70–£75
Wizz Air	40 × 30 × 20 cm, up to 10 kg	55 × 40 × 23 cm, up to 10 kg	No — WIZZ Priority, or the WIZZ Go / WIZZ Plus bundles	around €65

easyJet's free under-seat allowance is the most generous of the three budget carriers, and the overhead bag is included more often (FLEXI, Plus card, certain seats). Ryanair and Wizz Air both require you to buy Priority or a bundle to bring a second bag, and their gate fees can be steeper.

If you regularly fly all three airlines, a bag that fits all carriers — such as our Bordlite Underseat Cabin Bag 40×25×20 at £10.48 — saves you from juggling different size limits.

What Happens If You Don't Buy the Bag in Advance

If you arrive at the gate with an oversized bag and haven't pre-booked, easyJet charges the £48–£60 fee. The bag then goes in the hold, and you collect it at baggage reclaim. You don't get the overhead locker, and you've paid several times more than the advance rate.

easyJet staff use the metal sizer frames at the gate. If your bag doesn't slide in easily — wheels, handles and external pockets all count — you'll be stopped. Overstuffing a compliant-sized bag so it bulges past the frame also triggers the fee.

The lesson: if you think you might need the space, book the large cabin bag when you book the ticket. Prices only go up closer to departure, and the gate fee is punitive.

Practical Tips to Avoid Paying Unnecessarily

Wear your bulkiest items — coats, boots and thick jumpers don't count as baggage when you're wearing them. This works especially well on winter flights.
Use packing cubes — compression cubes let you fit more into the 45 × 36 × 20 cm under-seat bag without exceeding its dimensions. We cover the technique in detail in our guide to maximising underseat bag space.
Check the return baggage before you fly out — if you're visiting family or doing serious shopping, book the large cabin bag from the start. Retrofitting it after booking costs more, and gate fees are eye-watering.
Buy an upfront or extra-legroom seat if you're close to the threshold — sometimes the seat upgrade (from around £8) is only a couple of pounds more than the standalone bag add-on, and you get priority boarding and more space.

For a deep dive into all easyJet's hand luggage rules, see our full easyJet hand luggage allowance guide.

Recommended Bags for easyJet Flights

If you're sticking with the free under-seat allowance:

Bordlite Underseat Cabin Bag 40×25×20 — £10.48, fits easyJet, Ryanair and Wizz Air
Cabin Backpack 40×25×20 Grey Trim – Blue — £11.35, lightweight and easy to compress

Both sit comfortably within the 45 × 36 × 20 cm limit and leave room to spare, so you won't be caught out at the gate.

More options on our underseat bag collection.

FAQ

Q: How much does the easyJet large cabin bag cost?

A: The large cabin bag add-on ranges from £6.99 to £37.49 per flight, depending on route, season and how early you book. It's included free with FLEXI fares, Inclusive Plus tickets, easyJet Plus membership, and Upfront or Extra Legroom seats.

Q: Can I add the large cabin bag after I've booked my ticket?

A: Yes, you can add it through Manage Bookings on the easyJet website or app. The price will be higher than if you'd bought it with the original ticket, and it climbs further as departure approaches. At the gate, the fee jumps to £48–£60.

Q: Is easyJet Plus worth it just for the cabin bag?

A: If you fly easyJet eight or more times a year, the Plus card (around £215–£239 annually) works out cheaper than buying the large cabin bag on each flight. You also get speedy boarding and fast-track security. For occasional flyers, the per-flight add-on or an upfront seat is usually better value. Read our full breakdown in easyJet Plus worth it?

Q: What size is the free easyJet under-seat bag?

A: The free under-seat bag can measure up to 45 × 36 × 20 cm and weigh up to 15 kg. It's one of the most generous free allowances among European budget airlines and is included on every fare, even the cheapest.

Q: Do I need to print a receipt for the cabin bag add-on?

A: No. Once you've added the large cabin bag to your booking, it appears on your boarding pass (digital or printed). Gate staff scan your pass and see the entitlement automatically. Keep the confirmation email as backup, but you won't be asked for separate proof.

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.