Does easyjet measure hand luggage

Bring a small under-seat carry-on no larger than 45 x 36 x 20 cm. All ticket types include that item; if you need an additional overhead bag, purchase an Up Front/Extra Legroom seat, FLEXI fare, or add a cabin-bag option to bring a second item up to 56 x 45 x 25 cm.

No published weight limit for cabin items, but you must be able to lift and stow your bag unaided. Staff will use a physical sizer at boarding; items that do not fit the allowed dimensions are normally moved to the aircraft hold and a charge applied at the gate. Pre-booking the larger-bag allowance or a seat upgrade online is usually much cheaper than paying airport or gate fees.

Measure your bag including wheels, handles and outer pockets. Use a kitchen scale to check packed weight at home. Foldable, soft-sided cases compress better into the sizer than rigid suitcases; wear bulky coats and boots during transit to save space. Place passports, medication, boarding passes and valuables in the under-seat item.

Pack liquids in a 1‑litre clear bag with containers up to 100 ml, and keep that clear bag accessible for security checks. If you expect overhead space to be limited on peak flights, buy the additional cabin allowance when booking or select an Up Front/Extra Legroom seat to guarantee locker space.

Before travel, confirm current allowances, allowable dimensions and any gate-check fees on the carrier’s official website and add the appropriate bundle if you prefer certainty over last-minute charges.

Gate checks for cabin bags on budget carriers

Pack a small cabin bag sized no more than 45 x 36 x 20 cm (including wheels and handles) to avoid mandatory gate stowage; staff frequently use a metal sizer at boarding and will refuse items that exceed the allowance for the free small item.

If your booking includes priority or a paid larger-cabin option, you can typically carry an extra item up to 56 x 45 x 25 cm – otherwise larger carry items are usually sent to the hold and a charge may apply.

No formal published weight limit exists for the free small item, but agents may require you to lift it into an overhead locker; target 7–10 kg to prevent handling issues and boarding delays.

Practical pre-flight checks

Check dimensions at home (include handles, wheels and external pockets); use a rigid sizer if available. Reduce bulk with compression cubes, wear heavier shoes/jacket on the flight, and place liquids under 100 ml in a single clear pouch for security.

On-the-day tactics

At the gate, collapse retractable handles and tuck stray straps inside pockets; if told to gate-check a bag, request a receipt and track the tag number. Consider buying the priority/extra-cabin option during online check-in to avoid surprise fees. For quick wardrobe turnaround between trips, consider a reliable fast-wash machine: best full load quick wash washing machine.

Current cabin bag size and weight limits

Carry one small cabin bag up to 45 x 36 x 20 cm as standard; to bring an extra larger carry-on, get an Up Front or Extra Legroom seat, purchase the second carry-on add-on, or hold the carrier’s annual membership – the larger item must not exceed 56 x 45 x 25 cm.

There is no published weight limit for either the small or the larger carry-on; items must be liftable into the overhead locker by the passenger without assistance and should fit the stated dimensions when packed.

All tickets include the small under-seat bag only; the larger overhead bag is included only with specific seat types, membership or a paid add-on. Buy the larger allowance at booking or add it later via Manage Booking to avoid higher charges at the airport.

Pack heavier items in checked hold baggage rather than the carry-on allowance to stay within practical lifting limits and reduce gate intervention risk. Use a soft-sided bag for easier compression into tight overhead spaces and keep documents and valuables in the small under-seat item.

For transfers between airports or codeshare flights, confirm the operating carrier’s cabin policy before travel: dimensions may differ and the smaller allowance often applies if policies conflict.

How to check your carry-on size at home: exact steps and tools

Use a rigid tape measure and a digital hook scale to confirm external dimensions and total weight before you leave for the airport.

Tools

• Metal tape measure or straight ruler (cm and inches)
• Digital hook luggage scale (±0.1 kg) and a bathroom scale (for cross-check)
• Flat wall or floor space and a sturdy table
• Cardboard sheets, box cutter and strong tape (to build a size template)
• Packing cubes or compression straps (to control volume during the test)
• Permanent marker and a notebook or phone to record results

Exact step-by-step procedure

1. Decide on the configuration the airline enforces (handle stowed or extended) and use that same setup for all checks.
2. Pack the bag as you normally would for the trip – include typical items, zip it closed, compress with packing cubes if you usually do so.
3. Place the bag on a flat floor surface with wheels touching the floor and any external pockets fastened.
4. Height: place the tape at the floor under the wheel, run it up the tallest point (include wheels and any external protrusions) and read in centimetres; repeat twice and record the larger value.
5. Width: measure across the widest side perpendicular to the height; include side pockets and buckles; take the largest reading from two attempts.
6. Depth: measure from front face to back face at the widest point (compress soft sides as you would when boarding); record the largest value.
7. Template test: cut cardboard panels to the maximum allowed H × W × D, tape into a box frame, and fit your packed bag inside the frame to confirm it sits without bulging.
8. Primary weighing: Hang the bag from a digital hook scale and read the weight after steadying the display; toggle units to kg for airline comparisons.
9. Cross-check weighing: step on a bathroom scale, note body weight, then hold the packed bag and note combined weight; subtract to verify. If the difference exceeds 0.3–0.5 kg versus the hook scale, re-weigh until consistent.
10. If measurements are within 1–2 cm or 0.5 kg of the carrier limit, remove non-essential items (chargers, spare shoes, liquids) and re-test until margins are comfortable.
11. Final verification: photograph the tape/ruler against each dimension and the scale readout; save images for gate reference if needed.

Quick accuracy checks: calibrate the hook scale with a known weight (a filled 1 L bottle = ~1 kg), repeat dimension reads at different orientations, and always measure the bag in the same state you will take it to the gate (packed, zipped, handle position).

When and where airline staff check cabin bag size at the airport

Have your carry‑on ready for inspection at the boarding gate; cabin crew or gate agents commonly verify dimensions using a rigid frame as passengers queue to board.

Check-in area and self-service bag drop

At staffed check-in desks agents inspect items when passengers present excess or paid-for cabin allowances, and self-service kiosks can trigger a manual check if you select a bag drop option. If an item is deemed too large at this stage it will be tagged for the hold and routed away from the gate queue.

Security and pre-board zones

Security officers check contents rather than external size, but bulky items can be stopped and redirected before boarding. Expect the most rigorous size enforcement in pre-boarding lanes and priority queues where staff verify compliance before passengers join the main gate line.

Typical timing: primary checks happen during boarding calls – generally 30–45 minutes before departure for short‑haul flights and again at the aircraft door. Bus transfers and remote stands often include an additional check at the stair/door.

Practical tips: keep the smaller bag accessible rather than stowed in an overhead bin until after boarding checks; have proof of any purchased cabin allowance on your phone; if asked to place the item in the hold, accept the tag to avoid delaying the gate. Purchasing any required cabin allowance online in advance is usually cheaper and faster than paying at the gate.

If your bag is too big: on-the-spot consequences, fees and upgrade options

Buy a larger cabin allowance or add a checked bag online before you arrive; that usually costs a fraction of what you’ll pay at the gate.

Immediate consequences at the gate: staff will ask you to place the item into the metal sizer. If it does not fit, the item will be directed to the hold and you must pay a gate-handling charge. Boarding may be delayed while staff tag and load the item; staff can refuse to let an oversized item board the cabin under regulatory or safety rules.

Typical fee bands (examples based on recent carrier practice): pre-purchase via booking or Manage Booking: ~£6–£30 for a larger cabin allowance or to add one checked bag; at airport check-in desk: ~£25–£50; at the gate: ~£45–£80. Checked-bag weight tiers commonly offered: 15 kg, 23 kg, 32 kg – prices rise with weight and get higher when purchased at the airport or gate. Payments are taken by card at the point of service; fees are non-refundable unless the carrier’s policy states otherwise.

Upgrade and avoidance options: 1) Add a paid “larger cabin” allowance or priority/plus product during booking; 2) Buy a checked bag (select weight band) online before travel; 3) Purchase priority boarding or a seat that includes an expanded cabin allowance if available; 4) If already at the airport, buy the larger allowance at check-in rather than waiting for the gate.

Actions to take immediately if told your item won’t fit: transfer valuables, medications and electronics into a small under-seat bag; remove dense or heavy items (shoes, books, liquids) and carry them separately; compress soft items or redistribute weight into another passenger’s allowance with their permission. Keep boarding pass and payment confirmation on your phone to speed transactions.

If you travel frequently with oversized carry-ons, add a checked bag to every booking or buy the carrier’s priority/expanded-cabin product as a standard step – this prevents last-minute fees and boarding delays.

Use a soft-sided cabin bag plus a compact personal item and compress bulky pieces to fit within onboard dimension limits.

Pack with layered compression: place vacuum or zip-compression pouches for coats, jumpers and one pair of jeans – expect 40–60% volume reduction for bulky knitwear; use compression packing cubes for shirts and trousers for an extra 20–30% reduction without excessive creasing.

Packing sequence and placement

Arrange items by rigidity: heavy, flat objects (chargers, travel documents, small toiletry case) go against the base/wheels; soft bundles (rolled shirts, underwear cubes) sit above and around them. Place shoes along the perimeter to maintain shape; bulky trainers should be worn on the plane or packed in compression sacks. Fill shoe cavities with socks, belts or small electronics to use wasted space.

Replace liquid bottles with solid alternatives (solid shampoo, bar soap, solid deodorant) to cut volume and avoid security issues. If liquids are needed, use multiple 100 ml travel bottles and consolidate into a single 1 L resealable clear bag for carry-through screening.

Quick product and packing hacks

Wear your bulkiest coat and shoes through the airport to free cabin volume. Choose compressible fabrics (merino, lightweight synthetics) over bulky cotton for sweaters and jeans. Use one multi-use accessory (scarf that doubles as blanket). Carry small everyday items in a slim tote rather than in the main bag to exploit the personal item allowance – see best way to travel tote fl keys for compact tote options.

Choose compact rain protection: a compact, foldable umbrella that packs flat and won’t create awkward bulges – for an example, check this best quality bubble umbrella. Final check: press the bag edges and compress any soft pockets before zipping; if a quick squeeze gets the bag into a standard cabin sizer, the packing is correct.

Rules for extra items: small personal bags, duty-free and gate-checked bags

Keep passports, medication, cash, cameras, phones and spare batteries in the small personal bag you take into the cabin; do not hand over valuables for gate check.

• What counts as a personal bag
  • One compact item per passenger is normally accepted: examples – small backpack, laptop sleeve, handbag, camera bag.
  • Should fit beneath the seat in front; staff will enforce a single personal item limit at boarding.
  • Items commonly accepted in the personal bag: documents, electronics (including power banks up to airline-specified capacity), medication, spectacles and a light coat.
• Duty-free purchases
  1. Keep purchases inside the sealed tamper-evident bag provided by the retailer and keep the receipt visible inside the bag.
  2. If you have a connecting flight, present the sealed bag and receipt at transfer security; acceptance depends on transit rules – carry documentation of purchase time/location.
  3. Alcohol over local allowance and certain liquids may be prohibited on some connections; check transit country limits before buying.
• Gate-checked items: procedure
  • If cabin space is full, staff may request that larger cabin bags be checked at the gate; you will receive a tag/receipt – retain the stub until reclaim.
  • Gate-checked items are placed in the aircraft hold and are either returned at the aircraft door or sent to the baggage reclaim area on arrival; procedures vary by airport and aircraft type.
  • Do not pack valuables, irreplaceable documents or items regulated by law (certain batteries, e-cigarettes, spare lithium cells) in a gate-checked bag.
• Packing and labeling for gate check
  • Remove lithium batteries and power banks; these must travel in the cabin with you where allowed (check capacity limits written on the device).
  • Photograph the exterior and interior contents of the bag before handing it over; place a business card with name and mobile inside and outside the bag.
  • Use a sturdy tag and a visible label with contact details; consider a brightly coloured ribbon for quick spotting on the reclaim belt.
  • If an item is fragile or contains electronics, request a “fragile” note and ask whether it will be returned at the aircraft door rather than sent to the carousel.
• Security and prohibited items
  • Keep aerosols, flammable items and certain batteries out of checked carriage; verify rules for lithium batteries and spare cells – most carriers require these in the cabin only.
  • Medicines should remain in your personal bag with prescriptions; declare injectable medication or large quantities of liquid medicine at security with supporting paperwork.
• If gate-checked during boarding
  • Obtain and keep the gate tag/receipt; supervise the handover so staff can note any special handling requests.
  • Allow extra time at arrival if items are delivered to the baggage reclaim belt – expect delays compared with carrying items into the cabin.
  • Report any damage or loss immediately at the airport baggage desk and photograph damage; file a written report before leaving the airport if possible.
• Practical tips to avoid gate check
  • Consolidate essentials into the small personal bag and wear heavier clothing to reduce bulk.
  • Boarding with priority or purchasing a carry-on allowance reduces the chance of gate check on crowded flights.
  • Measure and preload items into your personal bag the night before departure to confirm fit beneath the seat.