Hand luggage rules at Bristol Airport are set by your airline, not the airport. Across the main carriers flying from BRS, expect a small free bag around 40 x 30 x 20cm that fits under the seat, with a larger overhead bag either included (Jet2, TUI) or costing extra (Ryanair, easyJet). Checked 2026 against each airline's official baggage pages.
Hand luggage size limits by airline at Bristol Airport
Bristol Airport itself doesn't set cabin bag dimensions or weight limits. Every airline flying from the terminal, including Ryanair, easyJet, Jet2 and TUI, applies its own rules, and gate staff use bag sizers to check compliance before boarding. Here's how the four main leisure carriers at BRS compare.
| Airline | Free small bag (under seat) | Free or paid larger cabin bag | Weight limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ryanair | 40 x 30 x 20cm, free | 55 x 40 x 20cm, only with Priority & 2 Cabin Bags (paid) | 10kg on the larger bag |
| easyJet | 45 x 36 x 20cm, free | 56 x 45 x 25cm, only with a paid large cabin bag or easyJet Plus | Up to 15kg on the small bag |
| Jet2 | 40 x 30 x 20cm, free | 56 x 45 x 25cm, included free | 10kg on the main hand luggage |
| TUI | 40 x 30 x 20cm, free | 55 x 40 x 20cm, included free | 10kg on the main hand luggage |
The practical difference matters. Jet2 and TUI passengers get a full-size overhead bag as standard, in addition to the small under-seat item, at no extra cost. Ryanair and easyJet passengers only get the small under-seat bag included in a basic fare; anything bigger has to be paid for in advance or added as a fare extra, and doing this at the airport rather than online is usually far more expensive.
Ryanair hand luggage at Bristol Airport
Every fare includes one small personal bag (40 x 30 x 20cm) that must fit under the seat in front of you. If you want a second, larger cabin bag (up to 10kg, 55 x 40 x 20cm) stored in the overhead locker, you need to add Priority & 2 Cabin Bags to your booking. Ryanair does not include a free overhead bag on its standard fare.
easyJet hand luggage at Bristol Airport
Everyone gets one small under-seat bag, maximum 45 x 36 x 20cm including handles and wheels, weighing up to 15kg. A larger cabin bag (56 x 45 x 25cm, for the overhead locker) is a paid extra, unless you're an easyJet Plus member or have booked an Inclusive Plus fare, which includes it.
Jet2 hand luggage at Bristol Airport
Jet2's standard allowance is more generous: one piece of hand luggage up to 10kg and 56 x 45 x 25cm (including wheels and handles) goes in the overhead locker free of charge, plus a small personal item (40 x 30 x 20cm) under the seat.
TUI hand luggage at Bristol Airport
TUI Airways includes one piece of hand luggage up to 10kg and 55 x 40 x 20cm free, plus a small personal item or laptop bag (40 x 30 x 20cm) under the seat.
What happens if your bag doesn't fit
Airlines use bag sizer frames at the gate and, increasingly, at check-in and security. If your bag is over the limit for your fare, you'll typically be charged an on-the-spot fee to check it into the hold, which is almost always more expensive than pre-booking extra baggage online. Budget carriers have become stricter about enforcing sizes in recent years, and even a bag that's a centimetre or two over can be turned away at the gate, so it's worth measuring your bag (including wheels and handles) before you travel rather than assuming it will pass.
Packing tips for Bristol Airport security
Whatever your hand luggage allowance, the security rules on what you can carry inside the bag are separate from size and weight limits. Keep vapes and power banks in your cabin bag rather than hold luggage, since they're not permitted in the hold. For the latest position on liquids at Bristol Airport's security lanes, see our guide to the 100ml liquids rule. If you'd rather skip the queue altogether, Fast Track security is available to book in advance.
If you're checking a bag anyway, Bristol Airport also runs a Twilight Bag Drop service for early flights with Jet2, easyJet and TUI, letting you check hold luggage in the evening before you fly.
Hold luggage vs hand luggage: which is cheaper?
If your hand luggage is close to the free allowance limit, it's worth comparing the cost of paying for a slightly larger cabin bag against pre-booking a small hold bag, since budget airline pricing for both changes constantly and the cheaper option isn't always the same for every route or fare type. Whichever you choose, book any extra baggage online in advance: airport and gate prices for added bags are consistently higher than booking through the airline's website before you travel.
FAQs
Use the table above as a quick reference, but always check your specific fare and booking confirmation, since airlines sometimes vary allowances by ticket type or add promotional changes.