Cabin Luggage Sizes: Ryanair vs EasyJet
Flying with Ryanair or easyJet and not sure what size cabin bag or hand luggage you can take? The two airlines have different baggage allowances, and choosing the wrong suitcase could mean paying extra or having your luggage placed in the hold.
In this guide, we'll compare Ryanair and easyJet cabin bag sizes, hand luggage allowances, under-seat bags and larger cabin luggage. We'll also explain how MettalCase cabin suitcases are designed to maximise available cabin space and tested to fit the relevant airline cabin sizers.
Ryanair vs easyJet cabin bag size at a glance
| Allowance | Ryanair | easyJet |
|---|---|---|
| Free small bag | 40 × 30 × 20 cm | 45 × 36 × 20 cm |
| Where it goes | Under the seat | Under the seat |
| Larger cabin bag | 55 × 40 × 20 cm | 56 × 45 × 25 cm |
| Maximum weight | 10 kg for the larger cabin bag | 15 kg |
| Overhead locker | With the relevant larger-bag entitlement | With the relevant larger-bag entitlement |
Based on the airlines' current published dimensions, easyJet allows slightly more space than Ryanair for both its small and larger cabin bags.
Standard MettalCase and MettalCase PRO in the overhead luggage compartment.
Ryanair cabin bag size and allowance
Ryanair includes one small personal bag with every fare.
Ryanair free cabin bag
Maximum published dimensions:
40 × 30 × 20 cm
The bag must fit underneath the seat in front of you.
Ryanair larger cabin bag
Passengers with the relevant Priority / 2 Cabin Bags entitlement can also take one larger cabin bag:
55 × 40 × 20 cm, with a maximum weight of 10 kg.
The larger cabin bag goes into the overhead locker.
This is the allowance most relevant when looking for a conventional Ryanair cabin suitcase.
Ryanair cabin bag and hand luggage allowance.
easyJet cabin bag size and allowance
easyJet allows every passenger to bring one small cabin bag free of charge.
easyJet small cabin bag
Maximum published dimensions:
45 × 36 × 20 cm
The bag must fit underneath the seat in front of you, and the published dimensions include the handles and wheels.
easyJet large cabin bag
Where the relevant allowance applies, passengers can bring one larger cabin bag measuring up to:
56 × 45 × 25 cm
The maximum weight is 15 kg.
The larger bag is stored in the overhead locker.
Ryanair vs easyJet: what's the difference?
The simplest way to compare the two airlines is to look at their small and larger cabin-bag allowances side by side.
For the free under-seat bag, easyJet currently allows more space in terms of height and width, while both airlines have a published maximum depth of 20 cm.
For the larger cabin bag, easyJet again has the more generous published dimensions.
Ryanair vs easyJet under-seat bags
If you are travelling on a basic fare and only have a free under-seat allowance, the difference is:
Ryanair: 40 × 30 × 20 cm
easyJet: 45 × 36 × 20 cm
This is why it's important to distinguish between an under-seat bag and a larger overhead cabin suitcase.
MettalCase cabin suitcases and airline sizers
MettalCase cabin luggage is designed differently from many conventional cabin suitcases.
The Standard MettalCase and MettalCase PRO cabin suitcases are engineered to maximise usable cabin space, while being designed and tested to fit the relevant airline cabin sizers.
This means travellers can make better use of the available cabin space without simply designing a case around conservative measurements.
This is particularly useful for travellers who regularly switch between airlines and want one premium cabin suitcase rather than buying a different case for every airline.
Airline policies can change, so always check the latest requirements for your flight before travelling.
Standard MettalCase vs MettalCase PRO
Standard MettalCase
A premium full-aluminium cabin suitcase with approximately 36 litres of capacity.
Dimensions: 35 × 23 × 55 cm
Designed to maximise cabin space and tested to fit the relevant airline cabin sizers.
Shop Standard MettalCase
MettalCase PRO
A premium full-aluminium cabin suitcase with reinforced construction and removable wheels.
Dimensions: 38.7 × 22.9 × 56.8 cm
Designed to maximise cabin space and tested to fit the relevant airline cabin sizers.
Shop MettalCase PROWhy choose an aluminium cabin suitcase?
Aluminium luggage is popular with travellers looking for a combination of durability, security and premium design.
- Full aluminium construction
- Rigid protection for your belongings
- TSA-approved locks
- Spinner wheels
- Premium metallic finish
- Organised interior
How to choose a cabin suitcase for Ryanair or easyJet
Check your baggage allowance
Before buying a suitcase, check whether your booking includes a free under-seat bag or a larger cabin bag.
Check all three dimensions
Don't rely on terms such as "cabin size", "20-inch suitcase" or "carry-on". Height, width and depth all matter.
Consider wheels and handles
Check whether the airline's published dimensions include wheels and handles.
Think about weight
Where a weight limit applies, remember that the suitcase itself forms part of your overall cabin baggage weight.
Check the airline before flying
Baggage policies can change, so always check the latest official requirements before you travel.
Frequently asked questions
What size cabin bag can I take on Ryanair?
Ryanair's free small bag has a published maximum size of 40 × 30 × 20 cm. The larger cabin bag is up to 55 × 40 × 20 cm with the relevant Priority / 2 Cabin Bags entitlement.
What size cabin bag can I take on easyJet?
easyJet's free small cabin bag can measure up to 45 × 36 × 20 cm. Its larger cabin bag can measure up to 56 × 45 × 25 cm where the appropriate entitlement applies.
Is Ryanair cabin bag size the same as easyJet?
No. The airlines have different published cabin baggage dimensions, with easyJet currently allowing slightly more space in both its small and larger cabin bags.
Is easyJet more generous than Ryanair?
Based on the current published maximum dimensions, yes. easyJet allows larger dimensions for both the free small bag and the larger cabin bag.
Can I use the same cabin suitcase for Ryanair and easyJet?
Yes. A suitably designed cabin suitcase can be used with both airlines, provided it meets the relevant requirements and baggage allowance. MettalCase cabin suitcases have been designed to maximise cabin space and tested to fit the relevant airline cabin sizers.
Does the Standard MettalCase fit airline cabin sizers?
Yes. The Standard MettalCase cabin suitcase has been designed to maximise available cabin space and tested to fit the relevant airline cabin sizers.
Does the MettalCase PRO fit airline cabin sizers?
Yes. The MettalCase PRO cabin suitcase has been designed to maximise available cabin space and tested to fit the relevant airline cabin sizers.
What is the difference between cabin luggage and hand luggage?
The terms are often used interchangeably. The important thing is the specific baggage allowance and maximum dimensions set by your airline.
What is an under-seat bag?
An under-seat bag is a smaller piece of cabin luggage designed to fit underneath the seat in front of you. Both Ryanair and easyJet offer a free small-bag allowance, although their published dimensions differ.
Find your MettalCase cabin suitcase
Want premium aluminium cabin luggage designed to maximise your available cabin space? Choose between the Standard MettalCase and MettalCase PRO.
Standard MettalCase
Full aluminium construction, TSA locks, spinner wheels and approximately 36L of capacity.
Shop Standard MettalCase
MettalCase PRO
Premium full aluminium construction, reinforced design and removable wheels.
Shop MettalCase PROOfficial airline baggage information
Airline baggage allowances can change. Check the official airline websites before travelling: