European airlines with the strictest hand luggage regulations

Now, when buying the cheapest airline tickets, you can take fewer things and breaking the rules will result in a fine.

avianews.com investigated which airlines in Europe have the strictest hand luggage rules for 2024 and found that the TOP list includes not only low-cost airlines Ryanair, Wizz Air, easyJet, Norwegian Air Shuttle, Vueling and Volotea, but also traditional airlines Finnair and SAS Scandinavian Airlines.

For example, Finnish national airline Finnair has stricter rules than low-cost airlines Wizz Air or easyJet. SAS Scandinavian Airlines is in a better situation.

Formally, airlines explain the reduction of hand baggage allowance by taking care of passengers: in this way, they reduce the time of boarding the plane. The reasoning is simple – less stuff, less time searching for free space on the carry-on rack.

However, if we look at the airline reports, it becomes clear that the paid carry-on has become another way for airlines to improve their financial performance in the face of tough competition.

In such a situation, passengers with the cheapest tickets are deprived of the right to place items on the hand luggage racks. Their bags have been reduced in size to fit under the seat in front, and rack space has become an advantage for customers with more expensive tickets.

Interestingly, not all airlines limit the weight of hand luggage, only indicating the permitted dimensions. Ryanair, SAS Scandinavian Airlines, Vueling and Volotea do this. This can be seen as a sign of concern for passengers, but in reality, the allowed size of hand luggage is small and even if the passenger wants to, he will not be able to take anything extra.

Hand baggage allowances for the cheapest tickets:

easyJet

One seat with dimensions up to 45x36x20 cm, weight up to 15 kg, placed under the front seat.

Volotea

One seat with dimensions up to 40x30x20 cm without weight restrictions, placed under the seat in front.

Vueling

One seat with dimensions up to 40x30x20 cm without weight restrictions, placed under the seat in front.

Wizz Air

One place 40x30x20 cm with dimensions up to 10 kg, placed under the seat in front.

Norwegian Air Shuttle

One seat with dimensions up to 38x30x20 cm, weight up to 10 kg, placed under the front seat.

Ryanair

One seat with dimensions of 40x25x20 cm without weight restrictions, placed under the seat in front.

SAS

One seat with dimensions up to 40x30x15 cm without weight restrictions, placed under the seat in front.

Finnair

One seat with dimensions up to 40x30x15 cm, weight up to 8 kg, placed under the front seat.