Michael Turner
Airline staff commonly verify cabin-bag mass at check-in and at the gate; many European leisure carriers set the free allowance between 7–10 kg for one piece, plus a small personal item (often up to 5 kg). If your bag exceeds the permitted mass, you will usually be asked to transfer items to hold or pay an on-the-spot fee – typical gate surcharges range from €30 to €70, while pre-booking extra allowance online often costs €10–€30.
Practical steps: weigh your bag at home with a digital luggage scale before leaving; measure external dimensions with a tape; move dense objects (chargers, shoes, liquids) into checked baggage when possible; wear heavier clothing during travel; choose a soft-sided bag that compresses into the overhead locker. For liquids, comply with the 100 ml rule and use a clear resealable bag to avoid delays.
At the airport: present your carry-on at the check-in counter or gate if requested; if you prefer certainty, buy priority boarding or an upgraded cabin allowance during booking – that usually permits an extra or heavier piece. Keep receipts for pre-paid allowances and check your booking confirmation for the exact mass and size limits assigned to your fare class.
Cabin-bag checks by the carrier
Carry one cabin bag no heavier than 10 kg and within 55 x 40 x 20 cm plus one small personal item; expect random mass checks at the check-in desk and boarding gate and be prepared to transfer items to hold or pay an on-the-spot fee.
- Where measurements occur: check-in scales, gate spot-checks with portable scales or sizer boxes, occasional manual inspection at security.
- Pre-flight actions:
- Weigh your bag at home with a compact scale; keep a 1–2 kg margin.
- Measure dimensions with a tape; soft-shell bags can be squeezed but must still fit the sizer box.
- Pack liquids/electronics in your personal item to reduce cabin-bag mass.
- Wear boots or a coat with heavy items to lower onboard mass.
- If found over the limit at airport:
- Option A – buy extra cabin allowance or convert to a hold booking (online pre-purchase is usually cheaper).
- Option B – move excess into checked hold (fee applies) or redistribute with a travel companion if permitted.
- Typical airport surcharge range: £30–£80 or €35–€90; online add-ons often cost substantially less.
- Fare and status differences: higher fare classes, infants, and loyalty tiers often include larger cabin allowances – verify details on your booking confirmation.
- Special items: medical equipment and mobility aids require advance notification; sports gear usually needs a separate booking and fee.
Final tip: confirm the carrier’s exact limits on your booking page, weigh and measure at home, and purchase extra allowance online before arrival to avoid higher airport charges.
Carry-on weight limits by fare and route
Pack a cabin bag of 10 kg or less as a universal safe choice for most short-haul European and Mediterranean tickets; confirm your exact allowance on your booking confirmation or boarding pass because some fares differ.
Typical allowances by fare class
Economy Value / Basic: usually a single small personal item only (common guideline: up to 5 kg, max dimensions ~40×30×20 cm). Economy Classic / Standard: commonly permits one cabin bag up to 10 kg (typical size 55×40×20 cm) plus a personal item. Flex / Premium Economy: same cabin allowance as Classic but often includes priority boarding and the option to bring an extra small bag or increase checked allowance for a fee. Business / Premium cabins on long-haul routes may allow two cabin pieces or a single larger cabin item with combined allowance around 14–16 kg depending on route.
By route and enforcement
Short-haul (Europe, Canary Islands, Morocco): most tickets follow the 10 kg cabin standard except the lowest fare tiers. Long-haul (Caribbean, North America, Indian Ocean): standard cabin allowance often remains 10 kg for economy; premium cabins on those flights frequently offer higher piece counts or weight. Gate enforcement varies by airport – some airports strictly enforce the dimensions and weight, others focus on items that clearly exceed carry dimensions and will require gate-checking or payment for an extra bag.
Practical recommendations: weigh your carry-on at home with a small scale, keep critical items in your personal item, compress clothing with packing cubes to stay under limits, purchase an upgrade or additional allowance online before airport arrival (online fees are lower than at gate), and save a screenshot of the allowance shown in your booking for quick reference at check-in.
Where and when staff measure cabin-bag weight and size at the airport
Confirm cabin-bag mass at home with a compact digital scale and keep the item accessible for inspection at check-in, bag drop or gate; this reduces surprises and speeds processing.
Primary checkpoints and typical procedures
Check-in desk / bag drop: staff place items on platform scales and through sizer frames immediately after ticketing; oversized or overweight pieces are flagged for immediate fee assessment or transfer to hold. Security screening: security officers focus on contents and prohibited items rather than mass, but rigid or oddly shaped items may be measured for dimensions. Gate: last-stage checks occur during boarding for full flights or when overhead bins are near capacity; gate agents use portable scales, sizers, or visual inspection and can require stowage in the hold. On small aircraft or short-haul rotations, expect more frequent gate checks.
How checks are carried out and what triggers them
Measurement tools: platform scales at check-in, handheld scales at gates, and metal/plastic sizer boxes for dimensions. Triggers for measurement include visible bulging, multiple bags carried as one item, oversized profile, or flight loading notices displayed to agents. Random spot checks happen; priority-pass holders and premium-cabin passengers are less often stopped, but not exempt. If staff request reconfiguration (move items into a personal pouch, wear heavier shoes, or redistribute contents), comply quickly to avoid paid gate-checking.
Practical tips: place heavy electronics or liquids in a small personal item you can keep under the seat; compress clothing with packing cubes; wear bulky layers to reduce pack mass; tag fragile items as such to influence placement decisions. For transporting awkward outdoor gear consider stabilisation methods – see best way to anchor shade umbrella – and for bulky pet or crate components consult construction ideas such as how to build a wooden dog run fence.
Fees, gate procedures and options if your carry-on exceeds allowance
Pay for extra allowance online before travel – this is normally the cheapest option and often reduces the fee by 30–60% compared with gate charges.
Typical fee ranges and how they’re applied
Short-haul European routes: online add‑on for an extra item or +5–10 kg usually €15–€35; check‑in desk purchases commonly €25–€50; gate surcharges typically €40–€80. Long‑haul or non‑EU airports can impose higher gate fees (sometimes over €100) or require immediate payment for hold check.
Airline systems either charge a fixed surcharge for an additional piece or a per‑kilogram fee for excess mass. Final price depends on booking class, airport and whether you buy at booking, at check‑in, or at the gate.
Gate procedures and practical alternatives
At the gate staff will usually require the oversized or over‑mass item to be placed in hold. Payment options: card/contactless, mobile app or online portal; cash acceptance varies by airport. If you refuse payment, carriage can be refused or boarding denied.
Cheapest corrective actions: redistribute weight into an existing checked item, remove non‑essential items and pack them in hand pockets or coat, or buy a pre‑paid hold bag via the airline website. Mid‑range: upgrade ticket to a fare with larger cabin allowance. Most expensive: pay the gate surcharge or have the bag sent to hold at boarding.
Preventive measures with strong ROI: weigh and measure carry items at home with a digital scale and tape measure; use compression organisers and wear heavy garments on the flight; place fragile or valuable items in a smaller personal item that fits under the seat.
Quick checklist before airport arrival: confirm allowance in your booking, weigh and size bags, pre‑purchase extra allowance if needed, and pack valuables and essentials in a guaranteed under‑seat item.
How to check and reduce carry‑on weight before arriving at the airport
Measure your carry‑on at home using a handheld digital scale or a bathroom scale and leave a safety margin of 10% or 0.5–1.0 kg below the airline’s stated cabin allowance.
Use this quick weighing technique: with a luggage hook scale, lift the packed bag by its handle and read the display; with a bathroom scale, weigh yourself, then weigh yourself holding the packed bag and subtract the two values. Repeat for any extra personal bag or baby bag.
Create an itemised weight list on your phone by weighing individual items: laptop 1.2–1.8 kg, tablet 300–600 g, smartphone 150–220 g, DSLR with one lens 800–1 500 g, pair of shoes 500–1 200 g, full-size toiletries 200–800 g per bottle, powerbank 200–600 g depending on capacity. Total these to find the heaviest candidates for removal.
Reduce mass with targeted swaps: decant liquids into 100 ml bottles and consolidate to a single clear pouch; replace bulky shoes with a single lightweight pair and wear heavier footwear to the airport; swap a paper guidebook for an e‑reader (150–250 g); choose a compact GaN charger and single USB‑C cable (combined ~50–120 g); pack clothing as mix‑and‑match layers and remove non‑essential single‑use items.
Packing technique: place dense items near wheels or base, distribute weight between carry and personal item pockets, and weigh the assembled bag after each major change. If travelling with a companion, rebalance so one bag carries heavier electronics while the other carries clothing.
Battery limits to note: powerbanks under 100 Wh are typically allowed in the cabin; 100–160 Wh require airline approval; above 160 Wh are not permitted in the cabin–check the Wh rating printed on the device before packing.
If the bag still exceeds allowance at check‑in or the gate, options include transferring items into checked baggage, gate‑checking bulky baby equipment, purchasing an extra allowance at the desk, or moving items into a travel partner’s quota. For a lightweight option that reduces bulk to carry, consider a compact umbrella stroller – best umbrella stoller for my one year old baby.
