UK Hand Luggage Rules 2026: Cabin Bag Sizes, Liquids & Power Banks Explained
Flying from the UK in 2026 is confusing. Your free bag allowance depends on the airline, the liquids rule depends on the airport, and since March there are new global limits on power banks. Get one of them wrong and you could pay £40+ at the gate, lose your toiletries at security, or have your charger confiscated.
This guide puts everything in one place: cabin bag sizes by airline, the current liquids rules at UK airports, the new 2026 power bank limits — and a simple packing method that lets you travel with just hand luggage, even on a budget fare.
Rules last checked: October 2026. Airlines change their policies regularly, so always confirm on your airline's website before you fly.
Quick summary
- Cheapest fares on Ryanair and Wizz Air only include one small under-seat bag (40 × 30 × 20 cm). A larger cabin bag costs extra.
- easyJet gives you a slightly bigger free under-seat bag (45 × 36 × 20 cm).
- British Airways and Jet2 still include an overhead-locker cabin bag in the ticket price.
- Liquids: some UK airports now allow containers up to 2 litres; others still enforce 100 ml. Your return airport may have different rules.
- Power banks: hand luggage only, maximum two per person, 100 Wh or less without airline approval, and many airlines now ban using or charging them on board.
1. Cabin bag sizes by airline (2026)
There is no universal cabin bag size. The biggest trap for UK travellers is assuming the bag that worked on one airline will work on another — especially when flying low-cost.
| Airline | Free under-seat bag | Larger cabin bag (overhead locker) |
|---|---|---|
| Ryanair | 40 × 30 × 20 cm | 55 × 40 × 20 cm, 10 kg — only with Priority & 2 Cabin Bags or a higher fare |
| easyJet | 45 × 36 × 20 cm | 56 × 45 × 25 cm — only with qualifying fares, seats, membership or as a paid add-on |
| Wizz Air | 40 × 30 × 20 cm | 55 × 40 × 23 cm — with Wizz Priority |
| British Airways | Personal item included | Cabin bag included in the fare |
| Jet2 | Personal item included | Cabin bag included; pay extra to guarantee it stays in the cabin on busy flights |
Three rules that save you money at the gate
- Measure the bag when it's full. A soft bag that measures 40 × 30 × 20 cm empty can easily bulge past the sizer once packed. Wheels, handles and outer pockets count too.
- Book any extra bag online, never at the gate. Gate fees for an oversized or unpaid cabin bag are typically far higher than the online price.
- Remember that weight still counts. Compressing your clothes saves space, not kilograms. If your fare has a 10 kg limit, a compressed bag full of jeans can still be overweight.
What about the new EU "free cabin bag" rules?
The EU has been working on rules that would give passengers a free personal item (40 × 30 × 15 cm) plus a small cabin bag of up to 7 kg. These are not yet in force, and easyJet has said that passengers flying out of the UK should not expect to benefit automatically. For now, follow your airline's current policy.
2. Liquids rules at UK airports
The new CT security scanners create a 3D image of your bag, which means many UK airports no longer ask you to take out liquids or laptops. But the rollout is uneven:
- Up to 2 litres allowed at airports including Heathrow, Birmingham, Edinburgh and Bristol (at the time of writing).
- Still 100 ml per container at several airports, including Luton and Manchester — though you may be able to leave them in your bag.
- A summer 2026 review found that the majority of UK airports checked were still publishing a 100 ml limit.
The safe way to pack liquids
- Pack toiletries in containers of 100 ml or less in a clear, resealable bag. That works at every airport, in both directions.
- Check your return airport. Your departure airport might allow 2 litres, but your destination might not have the new scanners.
- Empty insulated flasks before security — the double walls can block the scanner image.
- Keep your liquids bag near the top of your luggage so you can pull it out quickly if asked.
3. Power banks: the new 2026 rules
This is the change most travellers have missed. In March 2026, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) introduced new global guidance on power banks, and airlines have been tightening their own policies all year.
What applies almost everywhere now
- Hand luggage only. Power banks are never allowed in checked baggage. If your cabin bag is taken to the hold at the gate, take the power bank out first.
- Maximum two per passenger.
- 100 Wh or less is allowed without approval. Between 100 and 160 Wh needs airline approval in advance. Above 160 Wh is prohibited.
- No recharging the power bank on board, including from seat sockets or USB ports.
- Some airlines ban using them at all in flight — including Lufthansa Group airlines and Emirates (which also limits passengers to one power bank).
- The capacity must be clearly printed on the label. A power bank with no readable rating can be confiscated.
How to check if your power bank can fly
Most power banks show capacity in mAh, but airlines use watt-hours (Wh). Use this formula:
Wh = (mAh × 3.7) ÷ 1000
| Capacity on the label | Approx. Wh | Can it fly? |
|---|---|---|
| 10,000 mAh | 37 Wh | Yes |
| 20,000 mAh | 74 Wh | Yes |
| 27,000 mAh | 100 Wh | Yes — right at the limit |
| 30,000–43,000 mAh | 111–160 Wh | Only with airline approval |
| Above ~43,000 mAh | Over 160 Wh | No |
Tip: since you may not be able to use a power bank on board, the smartest move is to arrive at the airport fully charged. A fast wall charger means 30 minutes at a café socket gets your phone and laptop ready for the flight.
4. How to fit a week into hand luggage
Paying for a large cabin bag on every leg adds up quickly. With the right method, most people can travel for 5–7 days with one cabin bag — or even just the free under-seat bag for a long weekend.
Step 1: Plan a capsule wardrobe
Pick a two- or three-colour palette so every top works with every bottom. A typical week: 2 bottoms, 4–5 tops, 1 warm layer, 1 waterproof layer, underwear and socks for 4–5 days (wash once).
Step 2: Wear your bulkiest items
Travel in your heaviest shoes, jacket and jumper. They don't count towards your bag's size, and planes are cold anyway.
Step 3: Roll, then compress
Roll soft clothes tightly, then put them in compression packing cubes. This is where most of the space is gained. Our Compressible Packing Storage Bags squeeze clothes down with a compression zip — no vacuum or pump needed — and keep clean and worn items separate on the way home.
Step 4: Choose a bag built for cabin travel
A backpack is usually easier than a wheeled case on budget airlines: no wheels eating into the dimensions, and it fits under seats and into crowded lockers. The Travgoa Vacuum Compression Backpack has compression built in, so you can fit more clothes into a cabin-sized bag. Just remember the weight rule above, and measure it fully packed against your airline's limits.
For city breaks, business trips or as a personal item, the Travgoa 15.6" Backpack with USB port has a padded laptop compartment and hidden anti-theft zips.
Step 5: Use the "layer" system
- Bottom: shoes (stuff socks inside), compressed clothing cubes.
- Middle: chargers and cables in one pouch, toiletries in their clear bag.
- Top / outer pocket: passport, phone, power bank, headphones, snacks — everything you need at security and on board.
5. The hand luggage essentials checklist
Documents & security
- Passport, boarding pass, travel insurance details, any visa or ETIAS/ETA confirmations
- An RFID passport holder to keep passport, cards and boarding pass together and protect contactless cards
- A tracker for your wallet or bag — the slim Air-Track Wallet Card works with Apple Find My
Power & tech
- Power bank of 100 Wh or less with a clear capacity label (maximum two)
- A universal adapter — the Travgoa 65W GaN Universal Travel Adapter works across most countries and charges several devices at once
- A fast cable — the VoltFlow 120W Charging Cable has a built-in display showing charging power
- Headphones
Comfort on board
- A neck pillow and eye mask for long or early flights — the Travgoa 360° Travel Sleep System combines both
- Empty water bottle (fill it after security)
- A warm layer and snacks
Weather & valuables
- A lightweight waterproof — the StormGuard 3-in-1 Poncho packs small and is ideal for city breaks in autumn and winter
- Watches and jewellery always in hand luggage, never checked — a padded watch case protects them in the security tray
Frequently asked questions
What size bag can I take on Ryanair for free?
One small bag up to 40 × 30 × 20 cm that fits under the seat in front of you. A larger 10 kg cabin bag (55 × 40 × 20 cm) requires Priority or a higher fare.
Has the 100 ml liquids rule been scrapped in the UK?
Only at some airports. Several, including Heathrow, Birmingham and Edinburgh, now allow containers up to 2 litres, but many others still apply the 100 ml limit. Packing in 100 ml containers is the safe option everywhere.
Can I take a 20,000 mAh power bank on a plane?
Yes. A 20,000 mAh power bank is about 74 Wh, well under the 100 Wh limit. It must be in your hand luggage, and you may not be allowed to use it during the flight.
Can I charge my power bank on the plane?
No. Under the 2026 guidance, recharging power banks on board is not allowed, and some airlines also ban using them to charge your phone.
Do vacuum or compression bags reduce weight?
No. They reduce volume, so you can fit more into a smaller bag, but the weight stays the same. Always check your airline's weight limit.
Can I take my laptop out at security?
At airports with the new CT scanners, you can usually leave laptops and liquids in your bag. At airports without them, you'll still need to take them out — follow the instructions at the security lane.
Final word
Hand luggage travel in 2026 comes down to three checks before you leave home: measure your bag against your airline, check the liquids rule at both airports, and make sure your power bank is 100 Wh or less. Do that, pack with compression, and you'll skip the baggage carousel and the gate fees.