Hand luggage rules in 2026: what every UK airline now allows (and what they do not)

Hand luggage rules in 2026 have changed more than in any year since the original 100ml liquid limit was introduced. New airport scanning technology, updated airline policies, and growing size restrictions mean that packing for a flight requires more research than ever.

Whether you're flying with EasyJet, Ryanair, British Airways, Jet2, or Virgin Atlantic, the rules differ — sometimes dramatically. Get them wrong and you could face gate fees, forced hold bag charges, or having your items confiscated at security. This guide covers exactly what each of these five major UK airlines currently allows, plus the security rule changes every passenger needs to know before leaving home.

The biggest change in 2026: the 100ml liquid rule is going

The most significant shift in hand luggage rules in 2026 isn't actually from the airlines — it's happening at airport security. After decades of enforcing the 100ml liquid limit, several UK airports have now scrapped it entirely, thanks to the installation of advanced 3D CT scanners.

As of early 2026, passengers flying from the following airports can carry liquids in containers up to 2 litres in their hand luggage — and no longer need to place them in a clear plastic bag:

• London Heathrow — 100ml rule fully removed as of January 2026
• London Gatwick — new scanners operational, liquids restrictions relaxed
• Birmingham — limit lifted following CT scanner rollout
• Edinburgh — 2-litre limit now in place
• Bristol — updated scanners now active
• Belfast International and Belfast City — restrictions eased

However, this does not apply everywhere. Many regional airports across the UK still enforce the original 100ml rule. If you are departing from a smaller airport, or connecting through one on your return, the old rules still apply. You must also check the rules at your destination airport — most airports outside the UK have not yet upgraded their scanning systems. The GOV.UK guide to hand luggage restrictions is kept updated and is the most reliable reference for UK airport rules.

UK airline hand luggage allowance: airline by airline breakdown

Ryanair hand luggage rules 2026

Ryanair operates one of the most restrictive — and well-known — cabin bag size rules of any UK airline. All passengers can bring one small personal bag on board for free, but anything larger requires purchasing Priority Boarding.

Here's what each tier allows:

• Free personal bag: 40 x 30 x 20 cm (recently increased from 40 x 25 x 20 cm). Must fit under the seat in front of you. This can be a handbag, small backpack, or laptop bag.
• Cabin bag (Priority passengers only): 55 x 40 x 20 cm, maximum 10 kg. Must go in the overhead locker. Priority Boarding must be purchased separately or as part of a fare upgrade.
• Checked baggage: Maximum 20 kg, dimensions up to 80 x 120 x 120 cm. Must be pre-purchased.

The key thing to know with Ryanair: if you turn up at the gate with a larger bag and have not paid for Priority, it will be placed in the hold and you will be charged a gate bag fee — which is almost always more expensive than pre-purchasing. If a Ryanair flight is significantly delayed, you may also have rights under UK261 regulation. Our page on Ryanair flight delay compensation covers what you could be entitled to.

EasyJet hand luggage rules 2026

EasyJet's UK airline hand luggage allowance is slightly more generous than Ryanair's baseline, though it still has a tiered system that catches passengers out.

• Free underseat bag: 45 x 36 x 20 cm (including handles and wheels), up to 15 kg. This must be stored under the seat in front. It's free for all passengers.
• Large cabin bag (paid or with seat upgrade): 56 x 45 x 25 cm. This is available by booking a "Large Cabin Bag" add-on, or by purchasing an Upfront or Extra Legroom seat. It can go in the overhead locker.

EasyJet's own advice is clear: always buy your bags online in advance, as airport bag fees are significantly higher. If you've had an EasyJet flight cancelled or significantly delayed, details on claiming compensation are set out on our EasyJet flight delay claims page.

British Airways hand luggage rules 2026

British Airways allows more generous cabin bag size rules as standard — and unlike Ryanair or EasyJet, both a cabin bag and a personal item are included for all passengers without requiring an upgrade.

• Cabin bag: 56 x 45 x 25 cm. Stored in the overhead locker.
• Personal item: 40 x 30 x 15 cm. Must fit under the seat in front.

There is no weight limit published for hand luggage on British Airways — however, you must be able to lift the bag into the overhead locker yourself. First and Business Class passengers may have enhanced allowances depending on their route, so it is worth checking your booking confirmation. Passengers who have experienced problems with British Airways flights can learn more about their rights on our dedicated British Airways compensation page.

Jet2 hand luggage rules 2026

Jet2 is notably generous compared to the budget carriers. Every passenger — excluding infants — gets a proper UK airline hand luggage allowance without paying extra.

• Hand luggage (included as standard): 56 x 45 x 25 cm, maximum 10 kg. Stored in the overhead locker. No upgrade required.
• Small underseat bag: Up to 40 x 30 x 20 cm. Can be carried in addition to the main hand luggage allowance as long as it fits under the seat.
• Checked baggage: Optional add-on of up to three 22 kg bags per person per flight.

For families, Jet2 also allows two free items per child or infant — including pushchairs, car seats, baby carriers, and travel cots. This makes Jet2 a particularly family-friendly option for cabin bag allowances. Our Jet2 flight delay claim page sets out what you could claim if your Jet2 flight is disrupted.

Virgin Atlantic hand luggage rules 2026

Virgin Atlantic's hand luggage rules in 2026 vary by cabin class, which is worth checking before you pack if you have an upgrade or points booking.

• Economy (Economy Light, Economy Classic, Economy Delight): One cabin bag up to 56 x 36 x 23 cm and 10 kg, plus one small personal item such as a handbag or laptop bag.
• Premium and Upper Class: Two cabin bags allowed — one standard overhead bag and one personal item — plus enhanced weight limits.

Virgin Atlantic flights are long-haul, which means your cabin bag becomes particularly important for comfort items during a long journey. It also means that if something goes wrong — like a significant delay or missed connection — the compensation amounts involved can be higher. You can find full guidance on your rights on our Virgin Atlantic flight delay claim page.

Quick comparison: cabin bag sizes and allowances at a glance

Here is a summary of the standard allowances for each airline covered in this guide:

• Ryanair: Free personal bag 40×30×20 cm | Cabin bag (Priority only) 55×40×20 cm, 10 kg
• EasyJet: Free underseat bag 45×36×20 cm, 15 kg | Large cabin bag (paid/seat upgrade) 56×45×25 cm
• British Airways: Cabin bag 56×45×25 cm + personal item 40×30×15 cm | No published weight limit
• Jet2: Standard hand luggage 56×45×25 cm, 10 kg + underseat bag 40×30×20 cm | All included free
• Virgin Atlantic: Economy cabin bag 56×36×23 cm, 10 kg + personal item | Two bags for Premium and Upper Class

What's still not allowed in hand luggage in 2026

Even with the liquid rule changing at upgraded airports, some items remain prohibited in hand luggage regardless of where you depart. These rules come from both UK aviation security regulations and individual airline policies.

Items that are not permitted in hand luggage include:

• Knives or blades longer than 6 cm — these must go in checked hold baggage (check with your airline first)
• Large scissors with blades longer than 6 cm — same rules apply as knives
• Corkscrews — allowed in checked baggage, not hand luggage
• Non-safety matches and strike-anywhere matches — banned from all aircraft luggage
• Fireworks, flares, party poppers — prohibited on all flights in all baggage
• Frozen items — including ice packs and frozen food, unless specifically exempted for medical use

Power banks and lithium batteries are another area passengers frequently get wrong. Power banks must be carried in hand luggage — they are not permitted in checked hold baggage. This rule applies regardless of the airline you're flying with. Each battery must be protected against short circuits, and most airlines limit passengers to two spare power banks.

Airport security staff also retain the right to refuse any item they consider dangerous, even if it is normally permitted. The key principle is that the rules at your specific departure airport — not the general guidance — are what govern what you can carry on any given day.

Tips for getting your hand luggage right every time

Given the variation in cabin bag size rules between airlines and airports, a little preparation before you travel avoids costly surprises:

• Always measure and weigh your bag before leaving home — use the specific dimensions for the airline you're flying, not a generic "standard" size
• Check the rules for your departure airport, not just your airline — the liquid rules now differ airport by airport
• If travelling with multiple airlines on a single trip, check each airline's policy separately
• Book any bag upgrades online in advance — airport and gate bag fees are always higher than pre-purchased rates

Keep power banks and spare batteries in your hand luggage, not your hold bag

If your flight was delayed or cancelled

Knowing the hand luggage rules in 2026 helps you avoid issues before you board. But sometimes, even the best-prepared travellers face disruption — delayed flights, cancellations, or being denied boarding.

Under UK261 (the retained version of EU261 flight compensation regulation), passengers flying from UK airports are entitled to compensation when their flight is delayed by more than three hours, cancelled at short notice, or where they are denied boarding due to overbooking. This applies to all five airlines covered in this guide when they depart from UK airports.

Compensation amounts depend on flight distance and delay length, and can range from £220 to £520 per passenger. If you have experienced a disrupted flight and want to understand whether you have a valid claim, our flight delay compensation service handles the process on your behalf — at no cost unless your claim is successful.