Cabin Baggage Rules 2026: Wizz Air, Ryanair, British Airways and the New Liquids Rule

Cabin baggage rules are the most frequently misunderstood area of air travel — and the most penalised. A bag that is 2 cm too wide, or a trolley without the right add-on purchased, can cost €50–100 at the gate. The rules are not complicated once you know them, but they differ meaningfully between airlines and have changed at several airports in 2026. Here is exactly what applies.

The fundamental distinction: personal item vs cabin trolley

Every passenger on every airline is entitled to carry items onto the aircraft. The question is which items and what size:

Personal item (under the seat in front): a small bag — backpack, tote, laptop bag, handbag — that fits under the seat. Included free in every ticket on every airline, including budget carriers.

Cabin trolley (overhead bin): a larger, wheeled bag that goes in the overhead compartment. On full-service carriers (British Airways, Lufthansa, Turkish Airlines), this is included free. On budget carriers (Wizz Air, Ryanair, easyJet), it requires an additional purchase.

Understanding this distinction prevents the most common and most expensive baggage mistake: arriving at a Wizz Air or Ryanair gate with a trolley you assumed was included, and paying €50–100 to have it gate-checked.

Wizz Air: exact rules for 2026

Free allowance (every ticket)

This is the only bag included in a standard Wizz Air ticket. The 40×30×20 cm measurement includes wheels, handles, and all protrusions. The bag must fit entirely under the seat in front — not in the overhead bin.

What fits: a medium backpack, a laptop bag, a tote bag. Not a trolley.

With WIZZ Priority

WIZZ Priority allows you to board first and bring a trolley into the overhead bin. It is purchased at booking or up to 3 hours before departure online (cheapest option). At the airport: significantly more expensive.

WIZZ Priority prices: vary by route and demand — typically €6–15/person/segment online.

What happens without Priority and with a trolley

If you arrive at the gate with an overhead-bin-size bag and no WIZZ Priority, the bag is taken from you and loaded in the aircraft hold. You receive a hold baggage fee of €50–100 depending on the route and when it is applied. This is the most common expensive surprise at Wizz Air gates.

The prevention: if you want to travel with a trolley in the cabin, add WIZZ Priority at booking. If you are travelling on a city break with a small personal bag only, the standard ticket is sufficient.

Hold baggage (checked)

Options added online at booking or later:

• 10 kg: available on some routes
• 20 kg: most common, €15–40 depending on route and timing
• 26 kg or 32 kg: available on longer routes

Key rule: hold baggage added online is always cheaper than at the airport check-in desk.

Ryanair: exact rules for 2026

Free allowance (every ticket)

Ryanair's free bag is notably narrower than Wizz Air's (20 cm vs 30 cm width). A bag that comfortably fits Wizz Air's allowance may not fit Ryanair's. This catches many travellers who switch between the two airlines.

With Priority Boarding

Priority Boarding prices: typically €6–14/person/segment, purchased at booking (cheapest), or online before check-in.

Ryanair's "2 bags" misunderstanding

Many Ryanair passengers believe they can bring a backpack AND a trolley without Priority. They cannot. Without Priority Boarding: one bag only (under the seat). With Priority Boarding: trolley in overhead plus one personal item under the seat. Attempting to board with two bags without Priority results in one being gate-checked at the standard hold baggage fee.

British Airways: rules for 2026

British Airways includes a cabin bag for all passengers without an additional purchase:

No Priority Boarding required for overhead bin access — it is standard for all passengers.

Note: BA's weight limit for cabin baggage (23 kg) is substantially higher than budget carriers' 10 kg limit. However, staff sometimes verify weight on popular routes — the limit is real, not merely notional.

Full-service carriers: general comparison

The 2026 liquid rule changes: what has actually changed and where

The classic 100ml liquid restriction — all liquids in containers of 100ml or less, in a single clear 1-litre bag — has been in place since 2006. In 2026, this is changing at airports that have upgraded to new CT (computed tomography) scanning technology.

Where the 100ml rule has been lifted

Airports with CT scanners can detect liquids and threats in context without requiring passengers to remove them. At these airports:

• Container size: up to 2 litres (approximately) permitted
• No clear bag required: liquids stay in your bag
• Electronics: laptops and tablets can remain in your bag

UK airports with CT scanners (as of mid-2026):

• London Heathrow (all terminals)
• London Gatwick
• Manchester
• Birmingham
• Edinburgh
• Most other major UK airports

EU airports with CT scanners (partial list, expanding):

• Amsterdam Schiphol
• Frankfurt
• Paris CDG (most terminals)
• Madrid Barajas
• Rome Fiumicino (partially)
• Some terminals at other major hubs

Where the 100ml rule still applies

Airports that have not yet upgraded their scanning equipment — including many regional and smaller airports — still enforce the classic 100ml rule. If you are flying from or connecting through one of these airports, the old restrictions apply in full.

Critical point for return journeys: if you buy large bottles of water or toiletries at your destination and return through an airport that still uses old scanners, those items will be confiscated. Always check the security rules at your departure airport for the return leg.

The rule still in force everywhere

Even at CT-equipped airports, the following always apply:

• Prohibited items (regardless of liquid status): firearms, knives, flammable materials
• Security screening: bags still go through the X-ray machine
• Pre-flight checks: passport control, boarding pass verification

Practical packing for carry-on only

Travelling with carry-on only eliminates checked baggage fees (€15–50 each way on budget carriers), eliminates wait time at baggage claim, and eliminates the risk of lost luggage. For city breaks and most holidays of under 7 nights, it is entirely feasible.

What fits in 40×30×20 cm (Wizz Air personal item) for a 4-night trip:

• 4 sets of clothing (t-shirts roll efficiently, not fold)
• 1 pair of trousers/jeans + 1 lighter bottom
• 1 light jacket or knitwear
• Underwear and socks
• Toiletries bag (within liquid limits or at a CT-equipped airport)
• Laptop, chargers, phone accessories
• Shoes: wear the bulkiest pair, pack light sandals or fold-flat shoes

The rolling technique: roll clothing rather than folding. A rolled t-shirt takes 60% of the space of a folded one, wrinkles less, and allows you to see all items at a glance without unpacking.

The shoe problem: shoes are the most space-inefficient item. Wear your heaviest pair through security. Pack one pair of light alternatives. Three pairs of shoes for a 7-night trip: too many.

How to avoid gate baggage fees

Weigh your bag at home: use a luggage scale (€5–10, worth every cent). Bathroom scales are not sufficiently accurate for a 10 kg limit. The gate scale at the airport is calibrated precisely — a bag weighing 10.4 kg will be flagged.

Measure including all protrusions: place your bag in the airline's sizer gauge mentally before arriving — include wheels, extended handles, side pockets, and any outer padding. If in doubt, measure physically with a tape measure.

Add upgrades online, not at the airport: WIZZ Priority and Ryanair Priority Boarding purchased at the gate or check-in desk cost 2–4× what they cost online at booking. If you know you want to travel with a trolley, buy the upgrade at booking.

Pack versatile, light clothing: the single most effective strategy for staying within limits. High-quality merino wool (lightweight, odour-resistant, machine washable) compresses better and needs less of it than synthetic alternatives.

What to always carry in your cabin bag, never check

Regardless of which airline you are flying or how much hold baggage you have, these items should always be in your cabin bag:

• Passport and travel documents — if your hold bag is delayed, you need these to enter the country
• Prescription medication — enough for the trip plus 3 extra days in case of delay
• Laptop, tablet, camera — airline liability for electronics in checked baggage is limited; see lost luggage rights
• Cash and bank cards — if checked bags are delayed, you need money
• Phone and charger
• Glasses or contact lenses and solution
• Keys — you need to get into your home on return

Related guides

• Lost luggage airline rights 2026 — what happens when checked bags go wrong and how to claim
• Flight delay and cancellation rights EU261 — your rights when the flight itself has problems
• How to find cheap flights — choosing the right airline and fare class for your needs
• Travel insurance guide 2026 — insurance that covers baggage and cancellation
• Hidden fees in car rental — the same principle: knowing costs before you arrive