Most Bristol Airport delays at the gate come down to one thing: a bag that's a few centimetres too big for the airline that sold it to you. easyJet, Ryanair, TUI and Jet2 all set their own cabin bag size and weight limits, and they don't match each other, so a bag that sailed through on one airline can get pulled aside and charged on another. Below is what each airline currently allows (checked September 2026), what happens if your bag doesn't fit, and how to avoid paying a gate-check fee at the gate.
Cabin bag size and weight, compared
These are the allowances on the cheapest ("basic") fare per airline. Higher fare tiers and paid add-ons usually unlock a second, larger bag for the overhead locker.
| Airline | Free bag (under seat) | Weight limit | Paid/upgraded bag (overhead locker) |
|---|---|---|---|
| easyJet | 45 x 36 x 20cm | 15kg | 56 x 45 x 25cm (easyJet Plus or Flexi fare, or paid add-on), same 15kg limit |
| Ryanair | 40 x 30 x 20cm | No official weight limit stated | 55 x 40 x 20cm, 10kg (with Priority & 2 Cabin Bags, paid) |
| TUI | 40 x 30 x 20cm (personal item) | No official weight limit stated for this item | 55 x 40 x 20cm hand luggage bag, 10kg, included as standard |
| Jet2 | 40 x 30 x 20cm (personal item) | No official weight limit stated for this item | 56 x 45 x 25cm main cabin bag, 10kg, included free with every booking |
A few things worth noting:
- TUI and Jet2 both include a full-size overhead-locker bag as standard, on top of a smaller under-seat item — no extra payment needed, unlike easyJet and Ryanair.
- easyJet's free bag has the only genuinely generous weight limit (15kg); the others either cap the paid/upgraded bag lower or don't state a weight for the free personal item.
- Ryanair's basic fare gives you only the small under-seat bag. For a locker-sized bag too, you need to pay for Priority boarding.
Dimensions are usually measured including wheels and handles, which catches people out — a bag that's technically within spec on paper can still fail a sizer once the wheels are attached.
Why these numbers change
Cabin bag policy is one of the most frequently adjusted areas of airline pricing. Ryanair widened its free personal bag from 40 x 25 x 20cm to 40 x 30 x 20cm in 2025 under pressure from EU regulators to standardise a minimum free allowance, and further changes are plausible. Fare type matters too: a basic/saver fare and a flexible or package-holiday fare on the same airline can carry different rules. Always check the airline's own baggage page shortly before you fly rather than relying solely on this table or any third-party guide.
What happens if your bag doesn't fit
At Bristol Airport, gate staff (and sometimes check-in staff) use a physical sizer frame on bags that look borderline. If yours doesn't fit:
- You'll be asked to put it in the sizer at check-in or at the boarding gate.
- The airline will charge a gate fee to put it in the hold, typically higher than pre-booking hold luggage online — often £40-£60 or more depending on airline and route.
- Some airlines charge a separate "oversized cabin bag" fee even where hold space is available, as a deterrent.
- Restricted liquids need to come out before the bag goes in the hold, since you can't retrieve items once it's tagged — see our guide to the 100ml liquids rule at Bristol Airport if you're unsure what should stay with you.
How to avoid a gate-check fee
- Measure your bag at home, including wheels and handles, against the airline's stated maximum — "cabin bag approved" marketing isn't a guarantee for every airline.
- Check which fare you booked. Basic/saver fares often include only the small under-seat bag, not an overhead-locker allowance.
- Weigh your bag where a limit applies. easyJet's 15kg limit is enforced; a bag that's the right size but overweight can still be gate-checked.
- Pack liquids and valuables so you can reach them quickly if your bag gets pulled for a size check.
- Arrive with time to spare, so a bag problem doesn't turn into a missed gate — see our guide to how long security takes at Bristol Airport, especially during the 05:00-08:00 peak or summer holidays.
- When in doubt, pre-book a hold bag online — it's almost always cheaper than a gate fee.
If you're dropping someone off or picking them up, sorting your parking in advance means one less thing to think about if a bag issue crops up on the day.
The bottom line
Stick to a bag clearly within your airline's stated dimensions and you're unlikely to have problems. Ryanair is the tightest of the four on the free allowance, so measure carefully if you're only bringing a small bag. Allowances can and do change, and fare type matters, so check the airline's own site close to your travel date. For more on getting through the terminal smoothly, see our Bristol Airport FAQs.