EasyJet’s underseat allowance is genuinely more generous than most low-cost competitors—once you know the exact numbers. This guide cuts through the official policy to give you what actually fits, what gate staff actually enforce, and how easyJet compares to Ryanair point by point.

4 related posts

Underseat Bag Max Size: 45 x 36 x 20 cm (incl. handles/wheels) · Free for All Passengers: Yes, one per person · Large Cabin Bag Option: 56 x 45 x 25 cm (with fee)

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
  • 45x36x20 cm free underseat allowance (Which.co.uk)
  • No weight limit for small underseat bag (Mr Plane Guy)
  • Policies apply Europe-wide with no regional variations (Which.co.uk)
2What’s unclear
  • Exact tolerance if bag is 1–2 cm over official limit
  • Staff discretion varies at gate sizers
  • Whether 2026 brings any policy adjustments
3Timeline signal
4What happens next
  • Up Front/Extra Legroom tickets add 56x45x25cm overhead bag (Mr Plane Guy)
  • Tall passengers may find underseat bag reduces legroom significantly (The Travel Hack)
Attribute Value
Free Underseat Dimensions 45 x 36 x 20 cm
Large Cabin Dimensions 56 x 45 x 25 cm
Weight for Large Cabin 15 kg
easyJet Free Bag Volume 15 L (approx. 32.4 L per Which.co.uk)
Ryanair Free Bag Volume 10 L
Enforcement Gate sizers used

What size is underseat luggage on easyJet?

easyJet allows one small cabin bag per passenger under the seat in front of you, completely free of charge. The maximum dimensions are 45 x 36 x 20 cm, and this measurement includes handles, wheels, and any external pockets—so there’s no wriggle room if you’ve been measuring the main body only.

Dimensions including handles and wheels

Consumer rights organization Which.co.uk (UK consumer advocacy publication) confirms easyJet’s 45x36x20cm allowance applies Europe-wide with no regional variations. The airline’s official policy states the bag “must fit under the seat in front of you”—a point that matters more than it sounds, because the seat frame, not the airline’s sizer box, is the ultimate arbiter of what fits.

The catch

easyJet’s gate sizer is strict: testers report it requires genuine effort to slot some bags that are technically within the official limit. A 45x36x20cm bag takes up the majority of underseat space (The Travel Hack), which can be uncomfortable for taller passengers or those in exit rows.

The implication: a bag that squeezes into the sizer may still cramp your legs on a long flight.

No weight limit for small bag

Unlike the paid large cabin bag (capped at 15 kg), easyJet’s free underseat allowance carries no specified weight restriction—provided the bag physically fits under the seat. This is a notable advantage over Ryanair, which weights its priority bags.

Is easyJet underseat bag bigger than Ryanair?

Yes—and by a meaningful margin. easyJet’s free underseat bag offers approximately 32.4 litres of volume, which is over 60% more than Ryanair’s 20-litre free allowance (Simple Flying, aviation news analysis). Ryanair’s basic fare free bag is limited to 40 x 30 x 20 cm (Which.co.uk), though the airline’s sizers reportedly allow an extra 2–3cm beyond the official limits (MettalCase, luggage brand analysis).

Size comparison table

Four airlines, three size tiers: the data reveals easyJet leads among Europe’s low-cost carriers.

Airline Free Underseat Size Approximate Volume Paid Overhead Option
easyJet 45 x 36 x 20 cm 32.4 L 56 x 45 x 25 cm (fee)
Ryanair (basic) 40 x 30 x 20 cm 20 L 55 x 40 x 20 cm (Priority)
Wizz Air 40 x 30 x 20 cm — 56 x 40 x 23 cm (fee)
Vueling 36 x 27 x 18 cm — 55 x 40 x 20 cm (fee)

The pattern is clear: easyJet offers the largest free hand luggage allowance among Europe’s low-cost airlines (Simple Flying). The catch is that easyJet’s gate sizers are stricter than the official dimensions suggest—bags that technically comply sometimes require effort to slot in (Holiday Expert, travel blog field testing).

2025 baggage allowance differences

Ryanair updated its small cabin bag from a previous smaller size to the current 40x30x20cm before 2025 (Holiday Expert). Both airlines now use gate sizers, but easyJet’s staff enforcement appears less forgiving—testers report that a 40L bag required forcing into easyJet’s sizer, whereas the same bag slotted into Ryanair’s box without issue.

What bags fit easyJet 45x36x20 size?

The good news: several bags are designed specifically to hit easyJet’s exact 45x36x20cm envelope. YouTube reviewers have confirmed that a 45x36x20cm bag fits perfectly under easyJet seats without any pressure (YouTube – Cabin Bag Review). The key is choosing bags with flexible, soft-sided construction that can compress slightly if needed.

Recommended compliant bags

A few bags consistently surface in luggage testing communities for easyJet compliance:

  • Cabin Max Anode 30L trolley – fits easyJet underseat space perfectly (Mr Plane Guy)
  • Memphis Switch by Cabin Max – converts between 45x36x20 (easyJet) and 40x20x25 (Ryanair) modes (The Travel Hack)
  • Cabin Max Metz 20L backpack – fits Ryanair, easyJet, and Wizz Air sizers (Mr Plane Guy)
  • 30L Kono backpack – matches easyJet size but exceeds Ryanair/Wizz free allowance (Holiday Expert)
Why this matters

A 20L viral Ryanair bag (40x20x25cm) actually fits easyJet’s sizer with effort—testers found it left room to spare (Holiday Expert). But bags sized for easyJet often exceed Ryanair’s free allowance, so frequent flyers on multiple airlines should check both limits before purchasing.

Examples from retailers

Most major luggage retailers now label bags by airline compatibility. Look for “easyJet cabin” or “45x36x20” in product descriptions. Brands including Cabin Max, Kipling, and Eastpak have models confirmed to fit. Hard-shell bags are more likely to fail at the sizer due to their rigid corners—soft bags offer better compliance rates.

What if my cabin bag is 2cm bigger?

This is where the gap between official policy and real-world enforcement becomes important. easyJet states bags must “fit under the seat in front of you”—not merely fit inside a sizer box. The gate sizer is one tool; seat frame dimensions are the final test.

Gate check consequences

If a bag fails the sizer, gate staff may charge a fee to check it into the hold. For easyJet, reportedly around £48, though exact amounts can vary by route and operational conditions (Holiday Expert). In some cases, passengers are simply asked to repack or shuffle items—a decision that appears to depend heavily on the individual staff member and how busy the gate is.

The reality

There is no publicly confirmed tolerance margin. A bag that’s 2cm over in any dimension may pass if it’s flexible enough to compress, or may be rejected if it’s rigid. Some easyJet staff reportedly allow forcing larger bags into sizers if they fit with effort (Holiday Expert), but this is staff discretion, not policy. Don’t rely on it.

1-2 cm tolerance?

No official tolerance is published by easyJet. In practice, 1–2cm over on a soft bag might go unnoticed, but on a hard-shell or if the flight is full and gate staff are enforcing strictly, it won’t. MettalCase notes that sizers in both easyJet and Ryanair are “always slightly bigger than the official size limits, so there’s always some extra room for your bags” (MettalCase Blog)—but this varies by airport, sizer age, and staff.

Fees for oversized

Gate-check fees are significantly higher than pre-booking hold luggage. Passengers are advised to measure their bag at home—including wheels and handles—before heading to the airport. If there’s any doubt, the safe option is to reduce the load or switch to a smaller bag.

Can I take a handbag as well as an underseat bag on easyJet?

No—not as a separate free item. easyJet’s policy allows one small cabin bag per person. The “small underseat bag” is your single free allowance, regardless of whether you call it a cabin bag, a personal item, or a handbag. There is no additional handbag concession.

Allowance details

Unlike some airlines that allow a “personal item” (small handbag or laptop bag) in addition to a carry-on, easyJet consolidates to one free underseat bag. The Simple Flying analysis confirms easyJet’s “one underseat bag 45x36x20cm” policy applies to all standard fare passengers. There is no separate handbag allowance.

Plus member extras

easyJet’s Flexi Plus fare and certain bundle packages include an additional small personal item alongside the underseat bag. Standard tickets, however, do not. Ryanair’s two-bag policy (Priority + small underseat) applies only to those who purchase Priority boarding; basic fare Ryanair travelers are limited to one small bag just like easyJet passengers.

“easyJet: Largest free hand luggage allowance among Europe’s low-cost airlines: 45 x 36 x 20 cm, 15 kg.”

— Simple Flying (Aviation News Analysis)

“It fits perfectly under the seat in front of you on an EasyJet flight which means no luggage fees to pay as it’s included—whatever seat you are in!”

— YouTube Reviewer (Verified Bag Test)

Upsides

  • Largest free underseat allowance among European low-cost carriers
  • No weight limit for the free small bag
  • Europe-wide uniform policy with no regional variations
  • Up Front seats add overhead bag option for those needing more space

Downsides

  • Gate sizers are stricter than the official 45x36x20cm implies
  • Bag takes most of the underseat space—challenging for tall passengers
  • No separate handbag or personal item allowance
  • Rigid bags risk failing even when technically within limits

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Additional sources

youtube.com

EasyJet allows a free underseat bag up to 45x36x20 cm including wheels, with underseat bag dimensions often larger than Ryanair’s stricter limits.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the exact easyJet underseat bag size?

The maximum size is 45 x 36 x 20 cm, including handles, wheels, and all external features. This applies to all standard fare passengers across easyJet’s European network.

Does easyJet charge for underseat bags?

No. One small underseat bag up to 45x36x20cm is included free with every standard ticket. The paid upgrade is for a larger overhead cabin bag (56x45x25cm).

What happens if my bag is slightly over the size limit?

Gate staff may ask you to check the bag into the hold for a fee, or may use discretion to allow it if it fits with effort. There is no official tolerance margin, so erring on the side of compliance is the safer choice.

Are there bags guaranteed to fit easyJet’s underseat space?

Bags specifically designed for 45x36x20cm (like the Cabin Max Anode 30L or Memphis Switch) have been tested and confirmed to fit. Soft-sided bags have higher success rates than hard-shell designs.

How does easyJet measure cabin bags at the gate?

Gate staff use a rigid sizer box. The bag must fit inside the box without forcing. easyJet’s sizer is reportedly strict—bags that pass other airlines’ sizers have occasionally required effort to fit easyJet’s box.

Can I bring a personal item with my underseat bag?

Not on a standard ticket. easyJet’s allowance is one small cabin bag per person. Only Flexi Plus or bundled fares include an additional personal item.

What is easyJet’s 15kg hold bag size?

The paid large cabin bag (56x45x25cm) is capped at 15kg. Hold luggage limits vary by route and booking class—check your booking confirmation for exact limits.

Is there a weight limit for easyJet’s free underseat bag?

No weight limit is specified for the free underseat bag. The only requirement is that it physically fits under the seat in front of you.

For travelers flying both easyJet and Ryanair, the practical takeaway is straightforward: a bag sized for easyJet (45x36x20cm) will almost certainly exceed Ryanair’s free underseat allowance, but a bag sized for Ryanair (40x30x20cm) will typically fit easyJet with room to spare. If you fly both airlines regularly, brands like Cabin Max offer convertible designs that switch between the two airlines’ dimensions—a worthwhile investment if overhead bag fees are a recurring pain point.