Recommendation: Select a fare that includes one cabin case up to 10 kg, maximum dimensions 56 x 45 x 25 cm, plus one small personal item (purse or laptop bag) that must fit under the seat; prepay a hold allowance if expected baggage exceeds these limits to avoid elevated airport charges.
Typical allowance: standard economy fares generally permit a single cabin case within the stated size/weight limits, plus one under-seat personal item with approximate maximum 40 x 30 x 20 cm. Priority or flexible tickets may increase the cabin allowance or raise the weight limit to 15 kg; verify fare rules at booking.
Fees: checked-bag prices usually begin around £10–£35 when added online during booking; airport rates commonly rise to about £20–£50 per piece. Overweight or oversized items trigger surcharges; purchasing extra allowance in advance is the most economical option.
Packing tips: limit liquids to containers of 100 ml or smaller placed in a single transparent 1-litre resealable bag, electronics should be removed for screening if requested, weigh bags at home, measure external dimensions; place heavier items in checked baggage when approaching the cabin weight limit.
At the airport: arrive early, confirm the allowance shown on the booking confirmation, label cabin items clearly, purchase an upgrade online if guaranteed overhead locker space is required; consult the carrier’s official baggage page before departure for route-specific rules.
Cabin allowance for the regional carrier
Passengers permitted one cabin bag (max 56 x 45 x 25 cm), plus one small personal item that must fit under the seat in front.
- Cabin bag: maximum external dimensions 56 x 45 x 25 cm, recommended soft-sided design for easier stowage; typical weight limit 10 kg, consult fare conditions for exact limit.
- Personal item: suggested maximum 40 x 30 x 20 cm, examples include laptop sleeve, small tote, purse; item must be stored beneath the seat during take-off and landing.
- Priority fares or paid upgrades: may permit an additional cabin bag or larger personal item, verify allowance at booking stage.
- Oversize or overweight items: likely to be checked at the gate with possible checked-baggage fees applied at boarding.
- Security rules: liquids in containers up to 100 ml, packed within a single clear resealable bag; large electronics removed from bags during screening.
- Exemptions: medical equipment, mobility aids, infant essentials typically excluded from weight limits, prepare supporting documentation where required.
Packing recommendations:
- Weigh and measure bags before travel; use a luggage sizer at home to avoid surprises at the gate.
- Place valuables, travel documents, medication in the personal item to ensure immediate access during transit.
- Choose compressible garments, rolled clothing methods, shoe stuffing for space efficiency.
- For theft prevention or RFID protection, consider compact secure options such as best travel safety totes.
- Purchase priority boarding when additional cabin allowance is required; confirmation on the booking reference ensures smoother boarding.
At the gate: present both items for measurement if requested, follow crew instructions regarding stowage, retain receipts for any gate-checked items for easy retrieval at destination.
Cabin baggage allowance: permitted dimensions, weight for carry-on
Keep main cabin bag within 56 x 45 x 25 cm, maximum weight 10 kg; add one small underseat item up to 40 x 30 x 20 cm.
Accepted sizes
- Main cabin bag – 56 x 45 x 25 cm, measurements include wheels, grips, external pockets.
- Underseat item – 40 x 30 x 20 cm, must fit beneath the seat in front.
- Weight rule – main cabin bag limited to 10 kg; underseat item normally not weighed but must be stowable under the seat.
Practical rules, security notes
- Liquids – containers of 100 ml maximum each, all items placed in a single clear resealable 1-litre bag; present this bag at security.
- Prohibited items – sharp objects, flammable materials, large aerosols not allowed in cabin carriage; consult the carrier’s prohibited list for specifics.
- Electronics – larger devices may need removal from bags during screening; spare lithium batteries must follow airline regulations.
- Oversize/overweight procedure – items exceeding permitted size or mass will be gate-checked with applicable fees; consider purchasing priority boarding or extra allowance in advance to secure overhead storage.
- Measurement tip – measure bags including wheels and grips before travel to avoid charges at the gate.
Personal item: qualification, allowed examples, storage during flight
Pack a compact personal item that fits fully beneath the seat in front; keep passports, boarding pass, prescription medication, wallet, phone, chargers, glasses, small liquids in a single clear 1‑litre resealable bag for security checks.
Typical qualifying pieces: small shoulder bag, purse, laptop sleeve, slim daypack, camera pouch, compact tote, document wallet, insulated baby feed bag.
During taxi, takeoff, landing stow the small item under the seat with straps tucked; if it does not fit, place it in the overhead locker directly above the assigned seat to minimise movement of other passengers.
For security screening, place electronics larger than a tablet on top or remove them into an easy‑access pocket; keep prescription medication in original packaging with labels visible; put fragile items between soft garments for shock protection.
When using the overhead locker position wheeled cases with wheels toward the cabin to maximise space; place smaller personal pieces vertically to leave room for duty‑free bags and other passengers’ items.
Infant allowance: one extra small item such as a nappy bag is acceptable; store it under the seat or on the lap during critical phases of flight if required by crew.
Pre‑flight checklist: measure the item against the airline’s under‑seat space, remove bulky contents, attach a luggage tag with contact details, keep valuables on the person for added security.
Prohibited items in cabin baggage, personal items: common examples to check before travel
Do not pack sharp implements, flammable liquids, explosives, weapons, spare lithium batteries above permitted ratings in cabin baggage; transfer allowed hazardous goods to checked baggage only when the carrier’s rules permit.
Liquids, gels, aerosols: each container must not exceed 100 ml; all containers must fit inside a single transparent resealable bag with a maximum capacity of 1 litre; one such bag per passenger only; exceptions for prescribed medicines, baby formula or food – carry prescription or proof, declare at security.
Sharp items: knives of any blade length are prohibited from the cabin; folding knives, box cutters, multitools with blades over 6 cm must be checked; scissors with blades shorter than 6 cm are usually acceptable in the cabin subject to screeners’ discretion.
Weapons and self-defence items: firearms, realistic replicas, airguns, BB guns not allowed in the cabin; pepper sprays, stun guns, mace, brass knuckles banned from cabin carriage; hunting knives and large blades must be stored in checked baggage with proper declaration if required.
Batteries and portable power sources: installed lithium batteries in devices permitted; spare lithium-ion batteries, power banks must be carried inside the cabin only; allowed rating up to 100 Wh without approval, 100–160 Wh require airline approval, over 160 Wh forbidden; e-cigarettes and spare cartridges must remain in the cabin; e-liquids follow the 100 ml rule.
Flammable chemicals and gases: petrol, lighter refills, paint thinners, solvents, unpackaged aerosols, gas cartridges, camping fuel prohibited from cabin carriage; disposable lighters permitted on the person at some airports but must not be packed in checked baggage; fireworks, flares, other explosives strictly banned.
Food, medication, medical devices: liquids or semi-liquids in portions exceeding 100 ml should be checked or discarded; prescribed medications in larger quantities accepted with a doctor’s note or prescription; insulin pumps, oxygen canisters, medical oxygen require airline approval and advance notification.
Practical checks before travel: verify the carrier’s official prohibited-items list; arrive early for additional screening when carrying medical supplies or batteries; declare unusual items at security; store sharp tools and flammables in checked baggage when allowed; when in doubt, leave the item at home or contact the airline prior to departure.
Gate checks, boarding priorities: prevent cabin items being sent to the hold
Buy priority boarding or upgrade to a fare with early boarding; priority passengers board before overhead bins fill, sharply reducing the chance of a gate-check.
Typical triggers for gate-checks: full flights, late arrival at the gate, tight turnaround windows, turboprop aircraft with limited overhead capacity, visibly oversized cabin items that exceed bin space.
Prepare at home: measure main cabin bag dimensions, swap rigid cases for soft-sided, compressible models when possible, pack passports, prescriptions, chargers in a compact under-seat pouch so essentials remain reachable if a gate-check is required.
At the gate, when staff request a gate-check, remove valuables, medications, fragile electronics before surrendering the item; ask whether return will be at the aircraft door or at baggage reclaim; attach a visible tag with name and phone number.
Seat selection and fare choices influence boarding position; opt for seats linked to early-boarding groups, purchase a priority add-on, or use a loyalty tier that includes priority boarding to secure overhead space.
Stowage tips to maximise bin availability: place soft bags sideways, collapse handles and wheels, slide smaller items into gaps; keep one compact personal item under the seat for immediate access.
If gate-checking occurs, photograph the gate tag and the item before surrender; retain essential documents and prescription medicine on the person; note where gate agents instruct collection will take place.
Fees for an extra bag: paid add-ons, seat upgrades, at‑airport solutions
Purchase an extra-item allowance online during booking or at least 24 hours before departure to save up to 50% versus airport rates.
Paid add-ons, fare upgrades
Typical fees for short-haul European services: extra cabin-sized item £5–£20, checked suitcase £12–£35, oversized or overweight charges £20–£50. Premium fares frequently include one cabin item plus a personal satchel; upgrading from the lowest fare to a mid-tier bundle normally costs between £10–£60 depending on route and demand. Buy allowances via the carrier website or app, where weight limits, permitted dimensions, refund rules appear before checkout.
Measure dimensions with a tape, weigh bags on a home scale, store receipts for refund claims. For cleaning tips unrelated to baggage rules see how to clean cat fish.
At-airport practices, boarding-day fixes
Airport counter purchases usually cost double online rates. Priority boarding purchases commonly allow earlier access to overhead space; typical price range £3–£15 per person on short sectors. If cabin space is exhausted, gate agents may request a free gate-check for a small item, or offer paid gate-check options up to £40. Overweight penalties apply at the counter; expect charges calculated per kilogram or as a fixed premium fee.
Option | Typical fee (short-haul) | When to buy | Effect |
---|---|---|---|
Online extra-item add-on | £5–£20 | During booking, pre-departure | Guaranteed allowance on boarding pass, cheaper rate |
Checked suitcase | £12–£35 | Before arrival at airport | Hold transport, weight limit applies |
Seat/fare upgrade | £10–£60 | At booking, later via manage booking | Often includes extra cabin item, priority boarding |
Priority boarding | £3–£15 | Pre-departure | Earlier access to overhead compartments |
At-airport purchase | Up to double online rates | At check-in counter | Immediate solution, higher cost |
Gate-check | Often free, sometimes up to £40 | At gate if cabin full | Item sent to hold, collected at baggage belt or carousel |
Practical recommendations: confirm permitted dimensions before departure, pre-pay extras via the carrier portal, select priority boarding or a fare with an included extra-item when overhead space is likely to be limited, arrive at airport early if a last-minute purchase is needed.