Cabin and Checked Baggage Size and Weight Limits by Airline (Air France, easyJet, Ryanair, Transavia, Vueling, Lufthansa)
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For cabin bags, the most common standard is a 55 cm suitcase, with a weight limit of 8, 10 or 12 kg depending on the airline. For checked luggage, most airlines allow 23 kg per bag in economy, and never more than 32 kg per piece.
The details vary from one airline to another. Here are the rules for Air France, easyJet, Ryanair, Transavia, Vueling and Lufthansa, taken from their official websites on October 1, 2026.
What are the cabin bag size and weight limits by airline?
There are two types of cabin baggage. The small bag (or "personal item") fits under the seat. The larger cabin bag goes in the overhead bin. On low-cost airlines, only the small bag is included in the basic fare.
| Airline | Under-seat small bag | Cabin bag (overhead bin) | Max cabin weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air France | 40 × 30 × 15 cm | 55 × 35 × 25 cm (depending on fare) | 12 kg in total (Economy, Premium); 18 kg (Business, La Première) |
| easyJet | 45 × 36 × 20 cm | 56 × 45 × 25 cm (add-on or depending on fare) | 15 kg per bag |
| Ryanair | 40 × 30 × 20 cm | 55 × 40 × 20 cm (Priority option) | 10 kg for the cabin bag |
| Transavia | 40 × 30 × 20 cm | 55 × 40 × 25 cm (Smart, Max or add-on) | 10 kg in total |
| Vueling | 40 × 30 × 20 cm | 55 × 40 × 20 cm (depending on fare or add-on) | 10 kg for the cabin bag |
| Lufthansa | 40 × 30 × 15 cm | 55 × 40 × 23 cm (except Economy Basic) | 8 kg per cabin bag |
Air France, easyJet and Transavia state that the dimensions include wheels and handles.
Is the under-seat bag free on every airline?
Yes, all six airlines include a small bag. But the size varies. A 45 × 36 × 20 cm bag works on easyJet. It will be too big on Ryanair, Transavia or Vueling (40 × 30 × 20 cm). And on Air France or Lufthansa, the maximum depth is only 15 cm.
Is cabin bag weight really checked?
Airlines set a maximum weight, and they can move a non-compliant bag to the hold. Transavia, for example, states that a non-compliant bag will be checked in, with fees. So it is best to know the exact weight of your bag before you leave.
The problem: you never know if your suitcase weighs 9.5 kg or 11 kg, and you find out at the airport. The solution: a portable digital luggage scale (up to 40 kg, 10 g accuracy) to weigh your bag at home, then at the hotel before flying back.
How many kilos can you check in, by airline?
For checked luggage, two limits matter: the weight of your allowance and an absolute maximum weight per bag. Above that maximum, the bag is not accepted as standard baggage.
| Airline | Checked bag allowance | Max weight per piece | Max dimensions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air France | 23 kg (Economy, Premium); 32 kg (Business, La Première) | 32 kg | 158 cm (L + W + H) |
| easyJet | 15 kg, 23 kg or 32 kg depending on the option | 32 kg | under 275 cm in total |
| Ryanair | 10 kg, 20 kg or 23 kg depending on the option | depends on the option | 55 × 40 × 20 cm for the 10 kg option |
| Transavia | depends on the booked allowance (max 50 kg per passenger) | 32 kg | 165 cm (L + W + H) |
| Vueling | 15, 20, 25 or 30 kg depending on the option | 32 kg | 158 cm (L + W + H) |
| Lufthansa | 23 kg (Economy); 32 kg (Business, First) | 32 kg | 158 cm (L + W + H) |
Is 23 kg the standard?
For full-service airlines in economy, yes: Air France and Lufthansa include 23 kg per bag. On low-cost airlines, you choose the weight when you book. So a 15 kg bag on easyJet or a 20 kg bag on Ryanair is common.
What happens if my bag is overweight?
Each airline charges a fee. Vueling, for example, charges for each extra kilo at the airport, up to 32 kg per bag. The easiest option is to stay under the limit: weigh your suitcase once it is closed, shoes and toiletry bag included.
The problem: on the way back, your suitcase is heavier (souvenirs, damp clothes) and there is no scale at the hotel. The solution: the Packune luggage scale weighs 180 g and fits in a suitcase pocket. Its tare function and 4 units (g, kg, oz, lb) also help on foreign airlines.
How to avoid bad surprises at the check-in desk?
Here is a simple checklist for the day before you leave:
- ☐ Check your fare: does it include a cabin bag, or only the small bag?
- ☐ Measure your suitcase including wheels and handles.
- ☐ On an Air France or Lufthansa flight, check the depth of your small bag (15 cm max).
- ☐ Weigh your cabin bag and small bag together if the airline sets a total weight (Air France, Transavia).
- ☐ Weigh your checked bag once it is closed.
- ☐ Keep 1 or 2 kg of margin for the return trip.
- ☐ Pack the scale in your suitcase for the way back.
- ☐ Put liquids in a clear bag (100 ml per container).
For a full list of what to bring, see our complete carry-on suitcase checklist.
How to save space without going over the weight limit?
Weight and volume are two different problems. For volume, pack by category: clothes, toiletries, electronics. Loose cables and chargers quickly take up space. Our guide to the tech pouch in your carry-on helps you keep them together.
The problem: you hesitate between two sweaters and a pair of shoes, with no idea what it changes on the scale. The solution: hook your suitcase to the digital luggage scale, lift, read. Remove an item, weigh again.
FAQ: common questions about airline baggage
Do the dimensions include wheels and handles?
Yes, as a general rule. Air France, easyJet and Transavia state that wheels, handles and pockets are included in the maximum dimensions.
Can I bring two bags into the cabin?
Yes, often: a small under-seat bag plus a cabin bag, if your fare includes it or if you add it as an option. In business class on Air France and Lufthansa, two cabin bags are allowed in addition to the personal item.
Is a bag over 32 kg accepted in the hold?
No, not as standard baggage. Air France, easyJet, Transavia, Vueling and Lufthansa set a 32 kg maximum per piece. Above that, you need to split it into two bags or use a cargo service.
Can these rules change?
Yes. Airlines regularly update their baggage policies. Always check your airline's official page before you leave. The links are below.
Is a luggage scale really accurate?
The Packune model states 10 g accuracy up to 40 kg. That is more than enough to know if you are under your airline's limit.
Official sources (checked on October 1, 2026)
- Air France: baggage allowance and larger or heavier baggage — checked on October 1, 2026
- easyJet: cabin bags and hold luggage — checked on October 1, 2026
- Ryanair: bag policy — checked on October 1, 2026
- Transavia: hand luggage and checked baggage — checked on October 1, 2026
- Vueling: hand luggage and checked baggage — checked on October 1, 2026
- Lufthansa: carry-on baggage and baggage allowance — checked on October 1, 2026
In short
For the cabin, aim for 55 cm in height and check your airline's weight limit: 8 kg on Lufthansa, 10 kg on Ryanair, Transavia and Vueling, 12 kg on Air France in Economy. For the hold, 23 kg is the benchmark and 32 kg the absolute maximum. Weigh before you leave, and before you come back.
Get ready for your next trip with our organization accessories, with free shipping to France and the USA: browse the full Packune store.