You've made it through customs and are ready to board. The staff asks you to put your bag in the bin. Turns out: it's one centimeter too wide. That means a hefty surcharge. That's why we've listed all the dimensions, weights, and extra costs for you, so you don't pay a cent extra!
Why carry-on luggage rules are so confusing
You'd expect your carry-on luggage to be acceptable on any airline, but that's not the case. Quickly measure your luggage before your flight to avoid problems at the airport. Most airlines also allow you an additional (small) accessory, in addition to your carry-on, that fits under the seat.
Handbagage afmetingen per luchtvaartmaatschappij
Alle maten zijn in cm (hoogte × breedte × diepte). Max gewicht betreft de overhead handbagage. Controleer altijd de actuele regels op de website van de betreffende maatschappij.
| Maatschappij | Overhead handbagage | Max gewicht | Extra accessoire | Overhead gratis? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KLM | 55 × 35 × 25 cm | 12 kg | 40 × 30 × 15 cmGeen gewichtslimiet | ✓ Inbegrepen |
| Air France | 55 × 35 × 25 cm | 12 kg | 40 × 30 × 15 cmGeen gewichtslimiet | ✓ Inbegrepen |
| Transavia | 55 × 40 × 25 cm | 10 kg | 40 × 30 × 20 cmGeen gewichtslimiet · gratis in alle tarieven | Niet in Basicca. €20–€30 extra |
| Lufthansa | 55 × 40 × 23 cm | 8 kg | 40 × 30 × 10 cmGeen gewichtslimiet | ✓ Inbegrepen |
| easyJet | 56 × 45 × 25 cm | 15 kg | 45 × 36 × 20 cmGeen gewichtslimiet · gratis in alle tarieven | Niet in Standardca. €8–€33 extra |
| Ryanair | 55 × 40 × 20 cm | 10 kg | 40 × 30 × 20 cmGeen gewichtslimiet · gratis in alle tarieven | Priority vereistca. €10–€30 extra |
| Vueling | 55 × 40 × 20 cm | 10 kg | 40 × 20 × 30 cmGeen gewichtslimiet · gratis in Basic | Niet in Basicca. €10–€40 Extra |
| Turkish Airlines | 55 × 40 × 23 cm | 8 kg | 40 × 30 × 15 cmGeen gewichtslimiet | ✓ Inbegrepen |
| British Airways | 56 × 45 × 25 cm | 23 kg | 40 × 30 × 15 cmGeen gewichtslimiet | ✓ Inbegrepen |
| Emirates | 55 × 38 × 20 cm | 7 kg | 45 × 35 × 20 cmGeen gewichtslimiet | ✓ Inbegrepen |
| TUI fly | 55 × 40 × 20 cm | 10 kg | 40 × 30 × 20 cmGeen gewichtslimiet | ✓ Inbegrepen |
| Delta | 56 × 35 × 23 cm | Geen limiet | 45 × 35 × 20 cmGeen gewichtslimiet | Niet in BasicWel in in Main Cabin+ |
| United | 56 × 35 × 22 cm | Geen limiet | 45 × 35 × 20 cmGeen gewichtslimiet | Niet in BasicWel in Economy+ |
Laatste controle: Augustus 2026, verifieer altijd eerst via de officiële website van je luchtvaartmaatschappij om problemen te voorkomen!
What does extra carry-on luggage cost?
With budget airlines like Ryanair, costs add up quickly. They charge €6 for Priority when booking early, but at the gate, this can rise to €50. Wizz Air charges an average of €15–€25 per flight, which already adds €30–€50 to a return flight.
Do you always want to bring overhead luggage without an extra charge? Then choose a premium airline (KLM, Air France, Lufthansa, British Airways, Turkish Airlines) or, with budget airlines, always buy a ticket where hand luggage is already included. That is almost always cheaper than booking it separately.
The extra accessory is free with all airlines, but the sizes vary considerably. Always measure your bag in advance using the table above.
Which bag DOES fit as hand luggage?
The safest carry-on size that works for almost all airlines is 55 × 40 × 20 cm. This is the Ryanair size. Pay attention to the depth: KLM and Air France allow 25 cm, but Ryanair and TUI have a maximum of 20 cm. Stick to a bag of maximum 55 × 40 × 20 cm and you'll be safe with all airlines on this list!
Tips to avoid baggage problems at the gate
Always measure your luggage at home first, including wheels, handles, and outer pockets. Also, check your booking confirmation for the permitted dimensions. Don't overpack your bag: a soft bag measuring 55 × 40 × 20 cm that is bulging will not fit in the rack!
Hand luggage on a connecting flight
Are you flying with a connecting flight where the two flights are with different airlines? Then the strictest hand luggage rule of all flights on your route applies. If you book KLM to Amsterdam and then Ryanair to Madrid, your hand luggage must comply with Ryanair's dimensions (55 × 40 × 20 cm), even for the KLM leg. Always check this in your booking confirmation, because with codeshares, the operating airline may sometimes be different from what you expect.
How do you correctly measure hand luggage?
Use a tape measure, not a guess. Always measure at the widest point: for backpacks, this includes side pockets and external pockets. Wheels and handles always count. Also, don't overfill your bag: a soft, bulging bag won't fit into the airport luggage sizer, even if the dimensions on paper are correct.
What if your hand luggage is too large at the gate?
With premium airlines like KLM and Lufthansa, they rarely measure strictly; there's plenty of space in the overhead locker, and hand luggage is always included anyway. With budget airlines, that's a different story. Ryanair forces you to check in your bag at the gate for €50 or more. Wizz Air and easyJet charge similar amounts. Booking in advance is always significantly cheaper than paying at the gate.
Conclusion: know your airline's rules
The table above tells you exactly what to expect. Premium airlines (KLM, Lufthansa, British Airways) give you space and charge nothing extra. Budget airlines (Ryanair, Wizz Air, easyJet, Vueling) give you a free accessory but charge extra for hand luggage, unless you book it additionally.
Are you going on a longer trip and want to bring more than 10 kg? Then checked luggage is often the smarter choice. The Legpack is specially designed for this: large enough for two weeks, smart enough to be carried as a backpack and rolled as a suitcase.
Frequently asked questions about carry-on baggage
Yes, always. Airlines measure the bag including everything that protrudes: wheels, handles, and outer pockets. Always measure at the widest point at home.
Yes, but you must adhere to the strictest rule of all airlines on your route. If you fly with Ryanair for one of the flights, then Ryanair's size limit (55 × 40 × 20 cm) applies to the entire journey.
That varies by airline. Ryanair charges up to €50 at the gate, Wizz Air €30–€50, easyJet €25–€57. Always book hand luggage in advance, as it's significantly cheaper than paying at the gate.
Only if it falls within the permitted dimensions. A backpack measuring 55 × 40 × 20 cm is considered hand luggage by most airlines. A larger backpack must be checked in as hold luggage.
