A carry-on suitcase refused at the boarding gate is the extra charge that ruins the start of your trip—often more expensive than the ticket itself. The problem? Each airline imposes its own carry-on size rules, and these regulations are still changing in 2026. Ryanair, easyJet, Air France, Wizz Air: we've gathered the allowed sizes and weights into one table, along with the pitfalls to know to pass without paying.
For a quick guide: a bag close to 40 × 20 × 25 cm is free almost everywhere, and a size of 55 × 40 × 20 cm covers the larger carry-on for most airlines. We detail everything airline by airline—but first, here are the models that fit these dimensions.
Our Selection of Carry-On Bags
Three backpacks designed for the cabin, one for each use: the versatile one that adjusts to most sizes, the large volume for a week, and the connected model with a USB port. You can also browse our entire collection of cabin backpacks or cabin bags to compare capacities.
The 40 × 30 × 15 cm Standard and the European Law 2026
In recent years, low-cost airlines have reduced the free bag to a small one that fits under the seat—often around 40 × 30 × 15 cm for the strictest ones. Anything larger becomes a paid carry-on.
Good news: in 2026, the European Parliament is pushing to harmonize these rules and guarantee a minimum free carry-on size for all passengers. Nothing is yet applied to the letter, and each carrier maintains its own limits in the meantime. Before you leave, always check your airline's policy and the TSA carry-on baggage guidelines: it's the only source that counts.
The Carry-On Size Chart by Airline (2026)
Here are the most requested sizes, from the free small bag to the large carry-on. The dimensions include wheels and handles—it's the detail that can get a bag "almost" the right size rejected.
| Airline | Free small bag (under the seat) | Carry-on luggage (large, often paid) | Max weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ryanair | 40 × 20 × 25 cm | 55 × 40 × 20 cm (Priority) | 10 kg (Priority) |
| easyJet | 45 × 36 × 20 cm | 56 × 45 × 25 cm (Up Front / Plus) | 15 kg (large) |
| Wizz Air | 40 × 30 × 20 cm | 55 × 40 × 23 cm (WIZZ Priority) | 10 kg |
| Transavia | 40 × 30 × 20 cm | 55 × 35 × 25 cm | 10 kg (total) |
| Vueling | 40 × 20 × 30 cm | 55 × 40 × 20 cm | 10 kg |
| Volotea | 40 × 30 × 20 cm | 55 × 40 × 20 cm | 10 kg |
| Eurowings | 40 × 30 × 25 cm | 55 × 40 × 23 cm | 8 kg |
| Air France | 40 × 30 × 15 cm (accessory) | 55 × 35 × 25 cm | 12 kg (accessory + cabin) |
These values change regularly: take them as a guide, not a guarantee. When in doubt, a bag close to 40 × 20 × 25 cm is free on almost all airlines, and it's the safest size for traveling without extra charges.
Allowed Weight and Personal Item: What We Forget
Size isn't everything: many travelers get caught by the weight or by confusion between the two allowed bags.
- Weight matters as much as size. Most airlines cap the carry-on between 8 and 10 kg, sometimes 12 kg for traditional airlines. The small bag under the seat often has no displayed limit.
- Small bag ≠ large carry-on. The free bag goes under the seat in front of you; the large carry-on goes in the overhead bin—and it's almost always paid on low-cost flights.
- A soft bag always wins. Unlike a hard shell, a backpack compresses slightly to fit into the size control frame. At equal dimensions, it forgives those few extra millimeters.
The Costly Pitfalls at the Counter
With the same announced size, it's the details that decide whether you pay or not. The three most common mistakes:
- Forgetting the wheels and handles. A "55 cm" bag that measures 57 cm including wheels will be rejected. Check the total dimension, not just the shell.
- Overloading the bag. A bag of the right size but too bulging won't fit into the metal frame. A packing cube keeps the bag flat and neat, saving you a lot of time upon arrival.
- Choosing the right size... but two bags. Only one free bag: if you add a bulky handbag, you might be charged for the second. Combine everything into the allowed bag.
Packing Your Carry-On Efficiently
With volume locked by dimensions, every liter counts. Two habits double the usable capacity: rolling clothes instead of folding them, and compressing bulky items. A compression bag sucks the air out of sweaters and jackets, freeing up precious space—exactly what you need when you refuse to check a bag. Our guide to packing your travel bag details the method step by step.
Travel Clothes Compression Bag
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Backpack or Carry-On Suitcase?
Both are allowed in the cabin; the choice depends on your trip. The backpack wins on mobility, low-cost flights, and size tolerance (it compresses). The carry-on suitcase holds the advantage for protecting rigid items and comfort on smooth surfaces. For a city trip or a Ryanair flight, the backpack wins; for a business trip with a laptop, the question arises. If you're unsure about the model, our comparison of the best cabin backpacks reviews the safest sizes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the maximum weight for a carry-on? Usually between 8 and 10 kg, sometimes 12 kg on traditional airlines. The free small bag under the seat generally has no displayed limit. Always check your carrier's weight limit in addition to the dimensions.
Does a 40 × 20 × 25 cm bag pass with Ryanair? Yes: it's exactly the size of the free small bag that fits under the seat. Beyond that, you need the Priority option (paid) for a 55 × 40 × 20 cm carry-on.
What are the dimensions for easyJet? The free bag under the seat is around 45 × 36 × 20 cm. The large carry-on (56 × 45 × 25 cm) is reserved for Up Front or Plus tickets, or as a paid option.
Do the dimensions include wheels and handles? Yes, almost always. It's the total dimension of the bag, including wheels and handles, that is checked at the size control—keep this in mind when measuring your suitcase.
