EasyJet Cabin Bag Size Explained: Avoid Fees and Fly Stress-Free

If you’re flying with EasyJet, understanding the cabin bag size rules can save you money, time, and a lot of airport frustration. Policies have become stricter over the last few years, and staff are actively checking bags at the gate, so “winging it” with a random backpack or suitcase is risky. This guide breaks down EasyJet’s cabin baggage rules in simple language so you know exactly what you can bring on board.

What Is the EasyJet Cabin Bag Size in 2025?

Every EasyJet passenger is allowed one small under-seat cabin bag for free. This is your guaranteed hand luggage, and it has strict size limits:

  • Maximum size: 45 x 36 x 20 cm
    (including handles and wheels)

  • Maximum weight: 15 kg (you must be able to lift and carry it yourself)

  • Where it goes: Under the seat in front of you

Anything that fits inside this size can count as your free bag: a small cabin suitcase, a backpack, a laptop bag, or a large handbag. The key is that it must slide into EasyJet’s metal sizer and fit under the seat.

If your bag is even a bit too big and doesn’t fit in the sizer, EasyJet can charge you to put it in the hold, often at a much higher “airport price” than if you had paid online in advance.

Small vs Large Cabin Bag: What’s the Difference?

EasyJet’s rules really revolve around two types of cabin bags:

Small Under-Seat Cabin Bag (Free for Everyone)

  • Size: 45 x 36 x 20 cm max

  • Weight: Up to 15 kg

  • Always included in your ticket

  • Must go under the seat in front

This is the only bag guaranteed for every passenger, even on the cheapest fare.

Large Cabin Bag (Paid or Included with Certain Fares)

If you want to bring a second, larger cabin bag, EasyJet offers a Large Cabin Bag option:

  • Size: 56 x 45 x 25 cm max (including handles and wheels)

  • Weight: Up to 15 kg

  • Must fit in the overhead locker

  • Not free for everyone – you need one of the following:

    • Paid Large Cabin Bag added to your booking

    • Up Front or Extra Legroom seat that includes a large cabin bag

    • easyJet Plus membership or Inclusive Plus fare, which includes a large cabin bag as a benefit

Prices for adding a large cabin bag start from around £5.99 when booked online, but can be significantly higher at the airport.

Remember: the maximum number of cabin bags per person is two – one small (always allowed) + one large (only if paid or included).

Who Gets Extra Cabin Bag Allowance?

Not everyone on the plane has the same cabin bag rights. EasyJet links extra cabin baggage to fare type, seat choice, and membership.

You can bring both a small and a large cabin bag if:

  • You paid to add a large cabin bag to your booking; or

  • You booked an Up Front or Extra Legroom seat that includes a large cabin bag; or

  • You’re an easyJet Plus member or have an Inclusive Plus fare, which allows one small and one large cabin bag as part of your benefits.

Infants and children:

  • Infant on your lap: You may bring an extra baby bag up to 45 x 36 x 20 cm in addition to your own allowance.

  • Infant with their own seat or children over 2: They get the standard cabin bag allowance like an adult passenger.

If you don’t pick a seat and get auto-allocated an Up Front or Extra Legroom seat, EasyJet still only guarantees your small under-seat bag unless a large bag is explicitly added to your booking.

How to Choose the Right EasyJet Cabin Bag

Because EasyJet’s free bag is limited to 45 x 36 x 20 cm, many luggage brands now make cases specifically labeled as “EasyJet under-seat” or “EasyJet 45x36x20.” These are designed to slide under the seat and into the airline’s sizer exactly.

When choosing a bag:

  1. Check external dimensions
    Always check the full dimensions, including wheels, handles, and pockets. EasyJet includes these in the measurement.

  2. Aim slightly smaller
    A bag that’s, for example, 44 x 35 x 19 cm gives you a bit of wiggle room for expansion or overstuffing.

  3. Look for light weight
    Even though the limit is 15 kg, a lighter bag (1–2 kg) leaves more weight available for your belongings. Some EasyJet-approved under-seat cases have around 30–33 L capacity while staying within the size rules.

  4. Use soft sides or expansion wisely
    Soft backpacks or duffels are easier to squeeze into the sizer, but don’t let them bulge beyond 45 x 36 x 20 cm.

Packing Tips to Maximise Your 45 x 36 x 20 Bag

Since many travellers now fly with only the free small cabin bag, smart packing makes a huge difference.

Here are practical tips to make the most of your EasyJet cabin bag size:

  • Roll your clothes instead of folding – it reduces wrinkles and saves space.

  • Wear your bulkiest items (coats, hoodies, heavier shoes) on the plane instead of packing them.

  • Use packing cubes to divide clothes and compress them more efficiently.

  • Keep liquids in one clear 1-litre bag (100 ml max per container) and place it at the top for security checks.

  • Use every pocket: chargers, earbuds, and small items can go in outer pockets as long as they stay within the size limits.

  • Keep important items – passport, phone, medication, valuables – in an easy-access pocket so you’re not unpacking at the gate.

If you know you’re an over-packer or traveling for longer than a few days, seriously consider adding a large cabin bag or hold luggage online in advance. It’s nearly always cheaper than paying last-minute at the airport.

What Happens If Your Bag Is Too Big?

This is where many EasyJet passengers get a nasty surprise. If your cabin bag:

  • Doesn’t fit in the metal sizer, or

  • Is too large to go under the seat or in the overhead locker,

EasyJet staff can insist that it goes in the hold, and you may pay an additional fee at the gate. These gate fees are typically much higher than the online price for a large cabin bag or checked suitcase.

Airlines (including EasyJet) have also been encouraging staff to spot oversized bags more actively, so trying to “sneak through” with a slightly bigger suitcase is increasingly risky.

To avoid this:

  • Measure your bag before you travel.

  • Don’t overstuff it so that it bulges beyond 45 x 36 x 20 cm.

  • If in doubt, pay for a large cabin bag or checked bag in advance.

Related: 2025 Bank Holidays: The Complete Guide to Every Major Closure & Long Weekend

Conclusion

The EasyJet cabin bag size system is actually fairly simple:

  • Always free:

    • 1 x small under-seat bag 45 x 36 x 20 cm, up to 15 kg

  • Optional/extra (paid or included with certain fares):

    • 1 x large cabin bag 56 x 45 x 25 cm, up to 15 kg

Stick to these measurements, pick the right bag, and add extras online if you need more space. Do that, and you’ll breeze past the gate staff instead of sweating over whether your cabin suitcase will fit the sizer – or your budget.

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