Carry-on dimensions and weight limits for 2026 by airline: Finnair, Ryanair, Wizz Air, Lufthansa, KLM, Emirates and more — comparison table and packing tips.
Carry-on rules in 2026 are stricter than ever, and they vary so much between airlines that the same bag can be waved through on Finnair but pulled aside on Ryanair for a €60 gate fee. This guide walks through the 2026 carry-on dimensions and weights of every major airline flying from Europe, explains the new EU 40×30×20 cm free-personal-item standard, and gives concrete tips to avoid gate fees and double your effective capacity without buying a new bag.
General rules 2026 — EU vs. rest of world
EU transport ministers agreed in 2025 on a minimum: every EU-based airline must accept free of charge at least one 40×30×20 cm personal item under the seat. A larger cabin bag (typically 55×40×20 cm) remains a paid extra on most low-cost carriers. The US and Asia follow their own standards: FAA recommendation is 56×36×23 cm; many Asian carriers (e.g. Singapore Airlines) allow 7 kg per passenger.
Bags are measured with wheels and handles — the most common gotcha. A bag marketed as "55 cm" is often 57 cm including handles.
Comparison table: carry-on 2026
| Airline | Free personal item | Large cabin bag (paid) | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Finnair | 40×30×15 cm | 56×45×25 cm | 8 kg total |
| Norwegian | 30×20×38 cm | 55×40×23 cm | 10 kg total |
| SAS | 40×30×15 cm | 55×40×23 cm | 8 kg |
| Ryanair | 40×20×25 cm | 55×40×20 cm (Priority) | 10 kg |
| Wizz Air | 40×30×20 cm | 55×40×23 cm (Priority) | 10 kg |
| easyJet | 45×36×20 cm | 56×45×25 cm (Plus) | no weight limit |
| Lufthansa | 40×30×10 cm | 55×40×23 cm | 8 kg |
| KLM | 40×30×15 cm | 55×35×25 cm | 12 kg total |
| Air Baltic | 40×30×20 cm | 55×40×23 cm | 8 kg |
| Turkish Airlines | 40×30×15 cm | 55×40×23 cm | 8 kg |
| Emirates | 45×35×20 cm | 55×38×20 cm | 7 kg |
| Qatar Airways | 40×30×20 cm | 50×37×25 cm | 7 kg |
Low-cost carriers (Ryanair, Wizz Air) require Priority Boarding (€6–20) for the larger bag. Without it only the small under-seat item is free.
Weight limits and gate fees
Gate fees are one of the largest revenue streams for low-cost airlines — Ryanair collected nearly €3 billion from extras in 2024. A typical gate charge for an oversized bag is €45–75 per flight. Buying carry-on online in advance costs €8–25. Rule: buy every paid extra in advance — you save 60–70 % vs. paying at the airport.
Weigh your bag at home with a small luggage scale (~€10) or a normal bathroom scale (weigh yourself, then with the bag, subtract). 100 g over is usually ignored, 500 g can cost you.
Liquids and electronics at security 2026
The EU's new C3 X-ray scanners allow liquids and laptops in the bag at many airports (Helsinki-Vantaa fully switched in 2025, Amsterdam Schiphol in early 2026). Elsewhere the 100 ml rule persists: a clear 1 L bag, max 10 bottles of 100 ml each. Always plan for the old rule — many Asian and American airports still don't have the new tech.
Electronics: laptop, tablet and camera all belong in the carry-on. Lithium batteries (power banks) must NOT go in the hold — only in the cabin, and the maximum is 100 Wh (typically a 20,000 mAh 5V pack). Above that requires airline approval.
Tips: double your capacity
1. Packing cubes compress clothing 30–40 %. A 3-piece set runs €15–25.
2. Roll, don't fold — 25 % less space and fewer wrinkles.
3. Heaviest clothes on your body — winter coat and boots at the airport, not in the bag. Airlines don't weigh what you wear.
4. Liquids as padding — deodorant and toothpaste inside a sock, not a separate pouch.
5. Every item does two jobs — a sarong is a towel, scarf and in-flight blanket.
6. Mesh slippers instead of a second pair of shoes — half the weight, fit in a wallet-sized pouch.
7. Kindle over paperbacks — 250 g replaces 3–5 books (1.5–2.5 kg).
8. Zero-junk rule: if you didn't use it the last 3 days at home, you probably won't use it on the road.
Our packing list helps you stay under Ryanair's 10 kg limit even for a week.
Before the airport — checklist
- Measure the bag including wheels and handles and weigh it
- Buy Priority Boarding or paid carry-on in advance, if the airline requires it
- Print your boarding pass or load it in the app — some low-cost airlines charge €20 for a gate printout
- Liquids in a clear bag ready to go and electronics on top for security
- Power bank in the carry-on, not the hold
- Activate your travel eSIM at home (Airalo 10 GB Europe ~€25) — saves the airport SIM queue
- Travel insurance valid for the whole trip — see travel insurance guide 2026
Special luggage categories
Instruments: a guitar fits as carry-on on most airlines if the overhead has room — Finnair and Lufthansa accept, Ryanair requires an extra seat. Sports gear (skis, snowboard, bikes) always goes in the hold as paid extra (€30–80). Baby equipment (strollers, car seats) is free on most airlines. Prescription medications are always allowed in the cabin, including liquids — carry a prescription copy for outside the EU.
Destination customs limits
Carry-on is also subject to destination customs. Inside the EU: free movement for personal use. From outside the EU to the EU: duty-free allowance per passenger: 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars, 1 L spirits or 2 L wine + 4 L beer, €430 other goods (by air). To the US: no fresh fruit, meat or plants. To Australia: no food undeclared — the fine is A$400. Read our cheap flights 2026 guide to plan the route and cheapest destinations 2026 for inspiration.
FAQ — carry-on 2026
Can carry-on be weighed at the gate? Yes — many airlines (Ryanair, Wizz Air) spot-check. The gate agent may also request the bag be tested in the sizer.
How much water can I carry? After security, a bottle you buy airside is allowed on the plane — even above 100 ml. Before security max 100 ml per bottle, in a 1 L bag.
Can a phone with a lithium battery go in the hold? Not recommended. Phones and laptops belong in the cabin. In the hold they are banned by some airlines (e.g. Emirates).
Is carry-on free on every airline? A small under-seat item is free on every EU-based airline from 2026. The larger 55×40×20 cm bag remains a paid extra on low-cost carriers.
What's the best carry-on bag for 2026? A 55×40×20 cm hardshell under 2.5 kg empty leaves room for 7–8 kg of stuff. See our packing list for detailed picks.
Can I bring souvenirs in my carry-on? Yes, subject to destination customs and weight. Liquid souvenirs (wine, whisky) always go in the airport duty-free bag as separate carry-on.