Luggage rules vary significantly between airlines, and getting them wrong can mean paying more at the airport than you paid for your ticket. Here is a clear guide to what each type of airline allows and how to avoid unexpected charges.
Hand luggage rules
Every airline allows at least one item of hand luggage in the cabin, but the permitted size and weight vary considerably. Budget carriers such as Ryanair and easyJet have strict size limits — typically around 40cm × 20cm × 25cm for a free personal item, with a larger cabin bag (55cm × 40cm × 20cm) requiring a paid seat or priority boarding. Full-service carriers including British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, and Lufthansa generally allow a cabin bag of up to 56cm × 45cm × 25cm plus a personal item such as a handbag or laptop bag. Always check your specific airline's current policy before packing, as these rules change and are enforced at the gate.
Hold baggage allowances
Hold baggage is almost never included in the base fare on budget airlines — you will pay extra to add it at the time of booking, and significantly more if you add it at the airport. On easyJet, a 23kg hold bag booked in advance typically costs £15–£35 depending on the route; the same bag added at the airport can cost £50 or more. British Airways includes one 23kg hold bag in most fare types. Long-haul carriers often allow 23kg or 30kg as standard. Always add hold baggage at the time of booking rather than at the airport to get the best price.
Weight limits and excess baggage
The standard hold bag allowance is 23kg on most airlines, with some long-haul carriers allowing 30kg. Bags over the limit are subject to excess baggage fees, which are typically charged per kilogram and can be expensive — often £10–£20 per kg at the airport. If you regularly travel with heavy luggage, consider booking a higher weight allowance in advance, which is usually much cheaper. Some airlines allow you to pool allowances across passengers on the same booking, which is useful for families.
Prohibited and restricted items
Certain items are banned from both hand luggage and hold baggage on all flights. These include explosive or flammable materials, lithium batteries above a certain capacity (which must go in hand luggage, not the hold), and sharp objects in the cabin. Power banks and spare lithium batteries must always travel in hand luggage — they cannot go in the hold. Liquids in hand luggage are restricted to 100ml containers in a single transparent bag. Sporting equipment such as golf clubs, skis, and bicycles can usually be checked in as oversized luggage for an additional fee.
Packing tips to avoid charges
Weigh your bag at home before you leave — a simple luggage scale costs under £10 and pays for itself on the first trip. Wear your heaviest items on the plane rather than packing them. Roll clothes rather than folding to save space. If you are close to the limit, consider wearing a jacket with large pockets to carry items that would otherwise push you over. For hand luggage, measure your bag against the airline's published dimensions — not all bags marketed as 'cabin approved' meet every airline's requirements.
Quick tips
Book hold baggage at the same time as your flight for the lowest price. Check your airline's policy directly on their website rather than relying on third-party booking sites, which sometimes display outdated information. If you are connecting through a hub airport, check whether your baggage is checked through to your final destination or whether you need to collect and re-check it. On codeshare flights, the operating carrier's baggage policy applies, not the marketing carrier's.