There is no single carry-on size: every airline sets its own dimensions and weight. A case of 55 x 35 x 25 cm (21.7 x 13.8 x 9.8 in) fits Air France and KLM, but not necessarily low-cost airlines, which often include only a small bag that goes under the seat.
The table below compares the rules of six airlines with a big presence in Europe, read on 13 October 2026 on their official websites. It separates the personal item (under the seat) from the cabin bag (in the overhead bin), because that is where boarding-gate surprises happen. For online check-in and mobile boarding passes, see our guide to the boarding pass. For 100 ml bottles and the clear bag, see our guide to liquids on planes. US and UK airlines have their own rules: check your own airline.
Carry-on luggage: the essentials
- Two different bags: the personal item under the seat (often included) and the cabin bag in the overhead bin (included or paid, depending on the fare).
- Wheels and handles included: all the airlines we checked count them in the dimensions.
- Most restrictive size among our readings for the larger bag: 55 x 40 x 20 cm (Ryanair, Vueling); by width, 55 x 35 x 25 cm (Air France, KLM).
- Weight ranges from 10 kg (22 lb) (Transavia, Ryanair, Vueling) to 15 kg (33 lb) per bag (easyJet); Air France and KLM count total weight (12 kg (26 lb) in Economy).
- Check before every flight: rules change; the airline website and your ticket prevail.
Cabin bag dimensions and weight by airline
| Airline | Personal item (under the seat) | Cabin bag (overhead bin) | Weight | Included? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air France | 40 x 30 x 15 cm (15.7 x 11.8 x 5.9 in) | 55 x 35 x 25 cm (21.7 x 13.8 x 9.8 in) | 12 kg (26 lb) total in Economy and Premium; 18 kg (40 lb) in Business and La Première | Personal item always; cabin bag 0 or 1 in Economy depending on the fare (not included in Basic) |
| KLM | 40 x 30 x 15 cm (15.7 x 11.8 x 5.9 in) | 55 x 35 x 25 cm (21.7 x 13.8 x 9.8 in) | 12 kg (26 lb) total; 18 kg (40 lb) in Business Class | Personal item always; cabin bag included in Light, Standard and Flex, not in Basic (can be bought) |
| easyJet | 45 x 36 x 20 cm (17.7 x 14.2 x 7.9 in) | 56 x 45 x 25 cm (22.0 x 17.7 x 9.8 in) | 15 kg (33 lb) maximum per bag | Personal item included; larger bag optional, or included depending on fare/membership (Inclusive Plus, easyJet Plus, some seats) |
| Transavia | 40 x 30 x 20 cm (15.7 x 11.8 x 7.9 in) | 55 x 40 x 25 cm (21.7 x 15.7 x 9.8 in) | 10 kg (22 lb) total for both | Personal item included; cabin bag included in Smart and Max, otherwise optional |
| Ryanair | 40 x 30 x 20 cm (15.7 x 11.8 x 7.9 in) | 55 x 40 x 20 cm (21.7 x 15.7 x 7.9 in) | 10 kg (22 lb) for the larger bag | Personal item included; larger bag with « Priority & 2 Cabin Bags » (or fares that include it) |
| Vueling | 40 x 30 x 20 cm (15.7 x 11.8 x 7.9 in) | 55 x 40 x 20 cm (21.7 x 15.7 x 7.9 in) | 10 kg (22 lb) for the overhead-bin bag | Personal item included; overhead-bin bag with the « 2 bags on board » service, some seats (Space) or fares |
Direct sources: Air France, KLM, easyJet, Transavia, Ryanair (general terms and conditions), Vueling.
Which carry-on case should you buy for every airline?
A case of 55 x 35 x 25 cm (21.7 x 13.8 x 9.8 in) fits within the limits of Air France, KLM, easyJet and Transavia. It exceeds the 20 cm (7.9 in) depth set by Ryanair and Vueling for the larger bag. Conversely, a 55 x 40 x 20 cm (21.7 x 15.7 x 7.9 in) format meets Ryanair, Vueling, easyJet and Transavia, but exceeds the 35 cm (13.8 in) width of Air France and KLM.
| Case size | Air France / KLM | easyJet | Transavia | Ryanair / Vueling |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 55 x 35 x 25 cm (21.7 x 13.8 x 9.8 in) | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ (depth over 20 cm / 7.9 in) |
| 55 x 40 x 20 cm (21.7 x 15.7 x 7.9 in) | ❌ (width over 35 cm / 13.8 in) | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| 55 x 35 x 20 cm (21.7 x 13.8 x 7.9 in) | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| 40 x 30 x 15 cm (15.7 x 11.8 x 5.9 in) (personal item) | ✅ personal item | ✅ personal item | ✅ personal item | ✅ personal item |
Practical conclusion: a bag of 55 x 35 x 20 cm (21.7 x 13.8 x 7.9 in) meets the dimensions of all six airlines in the table. A soft bag tolerates size limits better than a hard shell, as long as you do not fill it beyond its shape.
Personal item or cabin bag: know the difference
- The personal item (handbag, laptop bag, small backpack) goes under the seat in front of you. It is included in almost all the fares we checked.
- The cabin bag (wheeled suitcase, travel bag) goes in the overhead bin. With low-cost airlines it usually costs extra or is reserved for certain fares.
- With Air France and KLM, a Basic Economy fare does not include the cabin bag: only the personal item is included.
- Oversized bag at the gate: it can be refused or put in the hold for a fee. Vueling, for example, states a cost of €60 to €75 per item and per flight if the personal item exceeds 40 x 30 x 20 cm (15.7 x 11.8 x 7.9 in).
What does not count as cabin baggage
Air France specifies that some items can be taken into the cabin without counting as hand baggage or a personal item (see the list on its baggage page). For babies, airlines have specific rules: Ryanair allows a 5 kg (11 lb) baby bag for a child under two traveling on a lap, in addition to the adult’s baggage. See our guide to traveling with a baby.
Liquids, batteries, prohibited items
Security rules depend on the departure airport, not the airline. Checked 12 November 2026:
- United States (TSA): liquids, aerosols, gels, creams and pastes must be in travel-sized containers of 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) or less per item, in a quart-sized bag; larger containers go in checked baggage. Medications and infant and child nourishment are exempt (tsa.gov, 3-1-1 rule).
- United Kingdom (GOV.UK): most UK airports limit liquids in hand luggage to containers of 100 ml (3.4 fl oz) or less; some allow up to 2 litres, so check the rules for your departure and connecting airports. Where a bag is required, it must be a single transparent, resealable plastic bag of no more than 1 litre (about 20 cm x 20 cm / 7.9 x 7.9 in), one per person. Containers up to 2 litres are allowed for essential medical purposes, special dietary requirements, or baby food or milk. Duty-free liquids must be in a sealed security bag with the receipt visible.
- Lithium batteries and power banks (UK Civil Aviation Authority): power banks, vapes and spare lithium batteries must be carried in the cabin, not in checked baggage; power banks must not be recharged on board, each person is limited to two, and those up to 100 Wh need no airline approval (100 to 160 Wh needs the operator’s approval). In the US, check the FAA PackSafe guidance for batteries.
- Airlines can apply stricter restrictions than the regulations.
Beware of connecting or code-share flights: check on your booking which airline operates each flight and read its baggage rules, which may differ from those of the airline that sold you the ticket. If your trip combines a full-service airline and a low-cost one, follow the most restrictive for the whole journey, in dimensions and weight, and check what your fare includes on each flight.
How to measure and weigh your carry-on
- Measure the case full, with wheels and handles: that is the rule at all the airlines in the table.
- Measure all three dimensions at the widest point, with outside pockets full.
- Weigh it with a luggage scale, or weigh yourself with and then without the case on a bathroom scale.
- If you fly with two airlines (connection), apply the stricter rule of the two.
- Keep a margin: airport sizers do not forgive an extra centimeter.
Traveling with only a carry-on: pros and cons
Leaving with a single cabin bag avoids waiting at the baggage carousel and the risk of lost or delayed checked baggage. It means respecting the liquids rule (100 ml per container) and your airline’s weight limit, sometimes only 10 kg (22 lb).
| Pros | Limits |
|---|---|
| No wait at the baggage carousel | Liquids limited to 100 ml (3.4 fl oz) per container, except justified exceptions |
| No risk of baggage lost in the hold | Limited weight (10 kg (22 lb) to 15 kg (33 lb) in our readings) |
| Simpler connections | Sharp objects and some tools are prohibited in the cabin |
| Total cost sometimes lower with low-cost airlines | The overhead-bin bag is paid on many fares |
If the overhead bins are full, an airline may ask you to put your cabin bag in the hold at the gate: KLM says it does this free of charge in that case. Always keep your medication, documents and valuables in the personal item that stays with you.
What to put in your carry-on
Keep in the cabin everything you cannot do without if your checked bag is delayed: documents, means of payment, medication, chargers, a change of clothes. Our full packing list covers the rest, with a printable checklist.
To cut the cost of optional baggage, compare the total price (ticket plus bag) rather than the headline fare: see our tips for cheap flights.
Frequently asked questions
What is the standard size of a carry-on suitcase?
There is no common standard: Air France and KLM accept 55 x 35 x 25 cm, Transavia 55 x 40 x 25 cm, easyJet 56 x 45 x 25 cm, Ryanair and Vueling 55 x 40 x 20 cm (read on 13 October 2026). A bag of 55 x 35 x 20 cm (21.7 x 13.8 x 7.9 in) meets all six airlines.
What weight for a carry-on suitcase?
10 kg (22 lb) at Transavia (personal item plus cabin bag), Ryanair and Vueling (overhead-bin bag); 15 kg (33 lb) per bag at easyJet; 12 kg (26 lb) total in Economy at Air France and KLM, 18 kg (40 lb) in Business.
Do wheels and handles count in the dimensions?
Yes, for every airline we checked in this guide.
Is carry-on baggage free?
The personal item under the seat is included at all six airlines. The overhead-bin bag depends on the fare: included at Air France and KLM except on Basic fares, optional or fare-dependent at easyJet, Transavia, Ryanair and Vueling.
What happens if my suitcase is too big?
It can be refused at the gate or put in the hold for a fee set by the airline. Measure it full before you leave.
Can you put a power bank in a carry-on?
Yes, and it must go in the cabin: the UK Civil Aviation Authority says power banks must not be packed in checked baggage (two per person, not recharged on board). In the US, check the FAA PackSafe guidance.
Our sources
- Air France, « Baggage allowance: weight, size, number of bags », read 13 October 2026.
- KLM, « Cabin baggage allowance », read 13 October 2026.
- easyJet, « Hand baggage », read 13 October 2026.
- Transavia, « How many bags can I take in the cabin? », read 13 October 2026.
- Ryanair, General Terms & Conditions of Carriage (articles 3.1 and 3.2), read 13 October 2026.
- Vueling, help center « Hand baggage », read 13 October 2026.
- Transportation Security Administration, « 3-1-1 Rule (Liquids, Aerosols, and Gels) », checked 12 November 2026.
- GOV.UK, « Hand luggage restrictions: liquids », checked 12 November 2026.
- UK Civil Aviation Authority, « What items can I travel with and which are restricted », checked 12 November 2026.
- Our methodology
Updated November 2026.