Michael Turner
Recommendation: purchase the priority add-on to guarantee a 55×40×23 cm carry-on with a 10 kg limit; without that upgrade this low-cost carrier only permits a small personal item sized 40×30×20 cm and larger items are routinely measured and may be refused or charged at the gate.
Permitted onboard pieces: a free personal item up to 40 × 30 × 20 cm (must fit under the seat). Priority holders may also bring an additional cabin bag up to 55 × 40 × 23 cm with a maximum mass of 10 kg. Checked options sold online typically include 10 kg, 20 kg and 32 kg allowances; fees depend on route and booking timing.
Gate enforcement: staff often use templates and scales at boarding. Oversized or overweight cabin pieces are usually taken to the hold for a surcharge; expect on-the-spot charges in the range of roughly €30–€70 (varies by airport and timing). Buying the correct allowance online is normally cheaper than paying at the gate.
Packing tips: weigh packed items on a home scale and measure compressible bags before departure; move heavy electronics or shoes into checked allowance if possible; use a soft-sided bag to squeeze into the size checker; keep liquids in 100 ml containers inside a clear bag to avoid delays. If you expect to exceed dimensions or weight, pre-book priority or a hold allowance to avoid last-minute fees.
Gate checks and size/mass limits for cabin items
Carry a small cabin item no larger than 40 x 30 x 20 cm; purchase Priority to add a 55 x 40 x 23 cm carry-on with a 10 kg mass limit; gate staff frequently measure and will apply charges if an item exceeds permitted dimensions or mass.
Weigh bags at home on a digital scale and store heavy items in checked hold pieces to avoid gate fees. If your booking does not include the larger cabin allowance, pre-purchase Priority or an add-on online – online upgrades are cheaper than airport or gate payments.
When packing: place dense objects (laptop, shoes, liquids) in the checked bag when possible; use a soft-sided carry-on that can be compressed to meet size templates at the gate; keep receipts and electronics easy to remove for faster inspections.
| Item | Max dimensions (cm) | Max mass | Typical non-compliance charge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small personal item (free on basic fare) | 40 x 30 x 20 | No published limit (must fit under seat) | Gate reclassification may force purchase of a cabin allowance (€30–€70) |
| Priority carry-on (with Priority) | 55 x 40 x 23 | 10 kg | Over-mass or oversized: paid at gate or checked into hold (€40–€100) |
| Checked hold bag (if needed) | Standard hold rules apply | Typically 10–32 kg depending on fare/add-on | Excess mass fees vary by route (€12–€25 per extra kg if pre-booked; higher at airport) |
When the carrier inspects cabin baggage at check-in, security and boarding
Keep your cabin bag at or below 40×30×20 cm for the free personal item; if you bought Priority or a paid cabin allowance, use 55×40×23 cm and a 10 kg limit as your maximum target – check your booking to confirm entitlement before arriving.
Check-in desks: airline staff will measure items that clearly exceed the small complimentary item and may place them on a scale when size or presentation suggests an oversize or overlimit case. Typical remedies at the desk: upgrade the cabin allowance (cheaper online than at the airport), transfer heavy objects into checked baggage, or pay an on-the-spot charge.
Security screening: X‑ray checkpoints seldom measure weight; their focus is prohibited goods and liquid rules (containers ≤100 ml, all in one clear 1‑litre bag). If security flags a bag as too large to pass through cabin restrictions, you may be asked to gate-check it – this step is about size/handling, not routine mass checks.
Boarding gate: the most frequent measurements happen here. Staff use rigid frames for dimensions and portable scales for random or full-flight checks. Priority or paid-cabin passengers are less likely to be inspected, but no one is guaranteed exemption. If required to check the bag at the gate, expect higher fees than online purchases; offloading heavy items to a companion or a checked case at the gate can avoid the charge.
Practical checklist
Weigh your bag at home with a digital scale and leave a 1 kg margin under the 10 kg target.
Measure external dimensions (including wheels and handles) – soft-sided bags can compress through frames more easily than hard-shell cases.
Place liquids, chargers and dense items in a checked case if your cabin allowance approaches the limit.
Buy Priority or the larger cabin allowance online before travel when possible; it’s consistently cheaper than paying at the airport or gate.
At boarding, present the small personal item separately if asked; that speeds size checks and reduces the chance of a gate-check request.
Carry-on weight limits by fare and add-on options
Buy Priority or the 10 kg cabin allowance if you plan to bring a 55x40x23 cm carry-on up to 10 kg; otherwise restrict yourself to the free personal item (40x30x20 cm) to avoid extra fees at the gate.
Basic fare: one free personal item 40x30x20 cm that must fit under the seat; no official weight listed but staff expect it to be liftable and compact. Any larger cabin bag requires Priority or a paid cabin-bag add-on before boarding.
Priority add-on: permits a second cabin bag sized 55x40x23 cm with a maximum weight of 10 kg. Purchase Priority during booking or in advance online – buying at the airport typically costs several times more.
Go and Plus tiers: these fare tiers commonly include either Priority or an allowance for the larger 55x40x23 cm cabin bag – confirm the included items on your booking confirmation and check the 10 kg limit that applies to that larger item.
Checked-bag options: standard paid options are sold as 10 kg, 20 kg and 32 kg hold bags depending on route; choose the smallest paid allowance that covers heavy items (camera gear, shoes) and pre-purchase online to reduce fees. Overweight charges at the desk are high.
Packing recommendations: weigh your items at home on a kitchen scale, move dense items from the carry-on to a checked bag if available, use soft-sided bags to squeeze into size gauges, and distribute weight between personal item and cabin bag so neither exceeds 10 kg. Keep valuables and liquids in the under-seat item.
Compact umbrella choices that fit under-seat or inside a 55x40x23 cm cabin bag: best golf umbrella golf digest and best nontoxic umbrella stroller.
Charges and options if your cabin allowance exceeds limits
Buy extra allowance online before airport arrival – cheapest option: online add-ons normally start from about €5–€40 depending on route and timing; at the counter or gate the same service can cost €30–€120.
Fast actions and where to pay: add an extra piece or upgrade to priority via Manage Booking or during the booking flow (lowest tariff). During online check‑in prices rise moderately. At the check‑in desk expect a higher fee. At the gate charges are highest and immediate payment is usually required to board with an oversized item.
Upgrade choices: purchase a priority pass to carry a larger cabin bag and an extra small item (typical online price range €5–€25). Buy a checked‑baggage allowance (priced per route and weight bracket) – economy checked pieces often start from single‑digits online and increase to €30–€80 at the airport. For heavy or oversized pieces, fees can exceed €100 at the gate.
Practical alternatives: redistribute contents into a compliant personal item and your pockets to avoid extra charges; ship bulky items in advance; upgrade to a fare that includes more allowance if the cost difference is smaller than the add‑on fee.
At the airport: if a bag is measured or found overweight, staff will offer paid options: pay to check into hold, buy an extra checked piece, or purchase priority (if available). If you decline payment, the bag may be refused for cabin carriage and will have to be checked with the resulting fee and possible delays.
Prevention checklist: measure your carry container and weigh it at home; buy add‑ons online and save receipts on your phone; keep valuables and essentials in the small free item; arrive early if you plan to buy an upgrade at the counter.
Gate enforcement of carry-on dimensions versus mass
Carry a rigid sizer and aim for a packed mass of 8–9 kg: dimension breaches are enforced immediately at the gate and usually result in mandatory gate check plus a fee, while small excess mass on authorised cabin bags is handled case-by-case.
- Dimension checks: staff use a metal or plastic frame sizer at the gate; any bag that does not fit the slot is classified as oversized and processed for immediate transfer to the hold.
- Typical size limits to remember: the free small item accepted aboard without extra purchase is 40×30×20 cm; the larger cabin bag allowance (with priority or paid add-on) is commonly 55×40×23 cm.
- Mass handling: the larger cabin allowance generally has a published 10 kg limit; at the gate staff will place suspect bags on a scale – small overages may be tolerated, but confirmed excess mass triggers a charge or require transfer to the hold.
- Priority vs non-priority flow: priority ticket holders pass with their larger cabin bags without routine sizer checks; non-priority passengers are more frequently measured and, if over-size, charged or forced to check.
Practical steps to avoid gate penalties:
- Measure your bag with a rigid box or template before travel; soft compression at the gate is not accepted once the item fails the sizer.
- Weigh the packed bag at home on a digital scale and target 8–9 kg for a 10 kg allowance to avoid surprises from different scales at the airport.
- Purchase priority or the larger cabin add-on online up to the last moment before boarding; online upgrades are typically cheaper than paying at the gate.
- If a bag is oversized, remove valuables and essentials to a permitted personal item (meeting the 40×30×20 cm rule) before allowing the remainder to be gate-checked.
Fees and outcomes at the gate vary by route and airport: expect a fixed gate-check charge or the equivalent of the checked-bag fee if the carrier deems the bag oversize or overweight. For an unrelated packing and appliance reference, see are there any problems with beko freezers.
Practical packing and weight‑check steps to avoid carry‑on fees from a budget carrier
Quick rule: confirm the permitted carry‑on mass for your booking and pack to be at least 1.5 kg under that limit; set a personal target (for a 10 kg allowance, aim for 8.5–9.0 kg).
Preparation and tools
Buy these items: a digital hanging scale (accuracy 10–50 g), a cheap folding tape measure, one set of compression cubes, and a small kitchen scale for toiletries/chargable batteries. Place the tape measure and hanging scale in your personal item so you can recheck at the gate if needed.
Pre‑pack checks: test the bag empty on the hanging scale to confirm tare, then pack incrementally and record the mass after major additions (shoes, electronics, toiletries). Measure overall external dimensions with the tape; soft bags often compress but gates measure fully expanded size.
Packing technique
Order items by density: heaviest objects (shoes, chargers, cameras) go closest to the base and near the wheels/structure; bulkier garments in compression cubes on top. Place fragile electronics in the personal item to free weight in the main carry piece.
Minimise toiletry mass: transfer liquids into 50–100 ml reusable bottles, decant only what’s needed for the trip, and use a single light clear pouch. Reduce shoe count to one pair plus lightweight foldable slippers or sandals.
Mass distribution: weigh main bag and personal item separately. If the main bag is close to limit, move dense items (chargers, power bank, book) into the under‑seat item to create a clear buffer. Keep one change of clothes in the under‑seat item to avoid gate transfers if the main piece is rejected.
Packing finish line: secure zips, fasten compression, weigh the fully closed bag on the hanging scale while holding it by the handle for a stable read. If over target, remove items in 50–200 g chunks until below your target buffer.
Day‑of tactics: wear your heaviest shoes and jacket with bulky pockets; place dense items in pockets if you need immediate mass reduction. If travelling with someone, pre‑agree which bag will absorb overflow. Buy any allowance upgrade online before arrival to avoid higher gate rates.
Quick fixes at the gate: move non‑essentials to the under‑seat item or to a companion’s bag, leave non‑critical items at security lockers or in the vehicle, or pay for an upgrade before presentation at the gate counter for a faster resolution.
