European Airlines Carry-on Comparison
Complete comparison of carry-on and personal item allowances for major European airlines. Budget vs legacy carriers baggage policies compared.
56×45×25cm
Most generous carry-on
Jet2
55×40×20cm
Strictest carry-on
Ryanair
1
Budget carriers
Generally stricter
2
Legacy carriers
More generous
Complete European Airlines Baggage Comparison
| Airline | Carry-on Size | Weight | Personal Item | Enforcement | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jet2 LS | 56×45×25cm ~63L | 10kg | 40×30×15cm ~18L | moderate | Legacy |
| British Airways BA | 56×45×25cm ~63L | 23kg | 40×30×15cm ~18L | lenient | Legacy |
| Iberia IB | 56×40×25cm ~56L | 10kg | 40×30×15cm ~18L | moderate | Legacy |
| Aer Lingus EI | 55×40×24cm ~53L | 10kg | 25×33×20cm ~17L | strict | Legacy |
| Lufthansa LH | 55×40×23cm ~51L | 8kg | 40×30×10cm ~12L | moderate | Legacy |
| Turkish Airlines TK | 55×40×23cm ~51L | 8kg | 40×30×15cm ~18L | moderate | Legacy |
| Air France AF | 55×35×25cm ~48L | 12kg | 40×30×15cm ~18L | moderate | Legacy |
| KLM KL | 55×35×25cm ~48L | 12kg | 40×30×15cm ~18L | moderate | Legacy |
| Ryanair FR | 55×40×20cm ~44L | 10kg | 40×20×25cm ~20L | strict | Budget |
Budget Carriers
Lower fares, stricter baggage policies
Budget Carrier Tips:
- • Strictly enforce size limits at gate
- • Often have sizing cages
- • Basic fares may restrict baggage further
- • Higher fees for non-compliance
Legacy Carriers
Traditional airlines with more generous policies
British Airwayslenient
Carry-on:
56×45×25cm
23kg limit
Personal:
40×30×15cm
Lufthansamoderate
Carry-on:
55×40×23cm
8kg limit
Personal:
40×30×10cm
Legacy Carrier Benefits:
- • More lenient size enforcement
- • Generally larger allowances
- • Better customer service
- • More flexibility with oversized bags
Popular Route Comparisons
Flying from London (UK)
To Europe (Short-haul)
Best baggage allowances:
- 1. British Airways - 56×45×25cm
- 2. easyJet - 0×0×0cm
- 3. Ryanair - 55×40×20cm ⚠️
Flying from Frankfurt (DE)
To Europe (Short-haul)
Lufthansa hub advantages:
- • Lufthansa: Premium service, moderate enforcement
- • Budget options: Ryanair/easyJet with stricter limits
- • Star Alliance partners generally more generous
European Travel Baggage Tips
Budget Airline Strategy
- • Pack minimal, use every centimeter efficiently
- • Consider priority boarding for overhead space
- • Bring a compressible personal item
- • Check size limits for your specific route
Legacy Airline Benefits
- • More forgiving with slightly oversized bags
- • Better customer service at gate
- • Included baggage on many routes
- • Alliance benefits for frequent travelers
European Travel Norms
- • Personal items almost always allowed
- • Duty-free purchases don't count as baggage
- • EU consumer rights provide some protection
- • Compensation available for baggage issues