RYANAIR boss Michael O’Leary said this week he was considering bigger bonuses for staff who identify passengers with oversized bags.
And earlier this month, a leaked email showed that staff across major airports in the UK would also receive payments for every bag confiscated from easyJet passengers ahead of boarding.
So, how much can you really get away with?
Sophie Swiethowski shares everything you need to know about hand-luggage restrictions for Brits’ favourite airlines.
EASYJET
Every passenger is entitled to one free, small carry-on bag that must fit under the seat in front of them.
The bag cannot exceed 45 x 36 x 20cm, including handles and wheels, and it must weigh no more than 15kg.
EasyJet Plus members and those who have booked an Inclusive Plus fare (which also includes a 23kg checked bag) will be able to take a larger hand luggage bag with them, measuring up to 56 x 45 x 25cm.
Anyone else wanting to take a larger carry-on will have to pay £5.99 (or more) in advance of flying.
RYANAIR
Ryanair has one of the smallest hand luggage allowances on this list.
Like easyJet, every passenger is allowed one small, under-the-seat bag for free, measuring no greater than 40 x 20 x 25cm, although there is no specific weight limit.
Larger carry-ons, to be stored in overhead lockers, cost from £6 and must not exceed 10kg.
The maximum dimensions are 55 x 40 x 20cm.
BRITISH AIRWAYS
The UK’s flag carrier has the most generous allowance of all the airlines listed here.
All passengers are entitled to bring a free “hand bag” to go under the seat.
This can measure up to 40 x 30 x 15cm and has a large weight limit of 23kg, the same as checked baggage.
Larger carry-ons are also included in the price of your ticket.
Overhead bags can measure up to 56 x 45 x 25cm, including wheels and handles, with a weight limit of 23kg.
JET2
When it comes to carry-on allowances, Jet2 is undoubtedly the winner of the low-cost airlines.
Much like British Airways, customers can bring both a small and large bag on board for free.
An under-the-seat bag must not exceed the limit of 40cm x 30cm x 15cm, although there are no weight restrictions.
Larger bags can measure up to 56cm x 45cm x 25cm and must weigh no more than 10kg.
WIZZ AIR
On a par with Ryanair, the maximum dimensions for a free and smaller carry-on bag are 40 x 30 x 20cm and this bag can weigh up to 10kg.
Passengers with a larger bag will have to purchase a Wizz Priority ticket if they do not want to incur a charge at the gate.
The priority ticket costs from €5 (£4.33) and also includes priority boarding.
These overhead-locker bags cannot exceed the weight limit of 10kg and must comply with the maximum dimensions of 55 x 40 x 23cm.
