Airline Baggage Allowance Guide: Cabin and Hold Luggage for UK Airlines

Baggage rules are where a cheap fare can quietly become an expensive one. Every UK airline sets its own sizes, weights and prices, and the gap between a free under seat bag and a paid cabin bag can be the difference of many pounds at the gate. This guide brings the main carriers together so you can see exactly what you get for free and what costs extra before you book.

The single most important rule is to check your bag against the airline's stated dimensions at home, wheels and handles included, because gate measurements are strict and gate fees are high. If in doubt, size down.

Free Cabin Bag at a Glance

The pattern is clear. Jet2, TUI and British Airways include a proper cabin bag for everyone, while easyJet, Ryanair and Wizz Air give you a small under seat bag for free and charge for anything larger. That difference matters most on a short break where the extra bag can cost as much as the seat.

Each Airline in Detail

• easyJet baggage allowance
• Ryanair baggage allowance
• Jet2 baggage allowance
• TUI baggage allowance
• British Airways baggage allowance
• Wizz Air baggage allowance

How to Avoid Excess Baggage Fees

Weigh and measure at home with wheels and handles included, and remember that gate staff can and do check. Always add hold bags online rather than at the airport, where the same bag can cost far more. If you are travelling with someone, pooling into one heavier hold bag is sometimes cheaper than two smaller ones, though watch the per bag weight limits. And if you only need the essentials, the free under seat bag on the budget carriers is genuinely usable for a weekend if you pack carefully.

For more on sizing, see our hand luggage size comparison and our guide to the best cabin max luggage. You can also browse any airline directly in our airline directory.

We keep these allowances updated as airlines change their rules, but always confirm on the airline's own website before you fly.