Travel · 7 MIN READ · APR 10, 2026

Low-Cost Airline Hand Luggage Sizes in Europe (2026) (Part 2)

Part 2 of the 2026 guide to European low-cost airline hand luggage sizes: Norwegian, Eurowings, Jet2, Volotea, Pegasus, ITA Airways, and Lufthansa compared.

In Part 1 of our guide, we examined hand luggage rules for Ryanair, easyJet, Wizz Air, Vueling, and Transavia. In Part 2, we look at several more key European carriers, compare strictness across airlines, and highlight the best carry-on backpacks.

Norwegian

Norwegian is one of Europe’s leading low-cost airlines, operating an extensive network across Scandinavia and the rest of Europe. While it is often grouped with ultra-low-cost carriers, its baggage policy is generally more generous than Ryanair or Wizz Air.

LowFare

The cheapest ticket includes one small personal item.

Maximum size: 30 × 20 × 38 cm

The bag must fit underneath the seat.

Cabin Bag

Passengers with LowFare+, Flex, or purchased cabin baggage may also bring:

55 × 40 × 23 cm

Maximum combined weight:

10 kg (LowFare+)
15 kg (Flex fare)

Is Norwegian Strict?

Moderately. Gate staff usually focus on obviously oversized roller bags rather than compact backpacks, but baggage sizers are available at many airports.

Best For

Scandinavia
Northern Europe
Travelers wanting more flexibility than ultra-low-cost airlines

Eurowings

Although Eurowings belongs to the Lufthansa Group, it competes directly with many European low-cost airlines. Its baggage policy is simple and easy to understand.

Basic Fare

Includes one small personal item.

Maximum dimensions: 40 × 30 × 25 cm

Cabin Bag

SMART, BIZ, and many add-on fares include:

55 × 40 × 23 cm

Maximum weight: 8 kg

Is Eurowings Strict?

Usually reasonable. Large backpacks and rolling suitcases are more likely to be checked than smaller daypacks.

Good To Know

Eurowings often flies into major airports rather than secondary airports, reducing airport transfer times.

Jet2

Jet2 has built a strong reputation for customer service and offers one of the most generous baggage allowances among European leisure airlines.

Unlike many competitors, a cabin bag is included on most tickets.

Cabin Bag

Maximum dimensions: 56 × 45 × 25 cm

Maximum weight: 10 kg

Personal Item

Jet2 also allows a small personal item such as a handbag, laptop bag, or small backpack, provided it fits under the seat.

Is Jet2 Strict?

Generally less strict than Ryanair or Wizz Air. As long as your luggage appears close to the permitted dimensions, problems are uncommon.

Best For

UK holiday flights
Family travel
Mediterranean destinations

Volotea

Volotea specializes in connecting smaller European cities that often have limited direct competition. Its baggage policy resembles many other budget airlines.

Free Personal Item

Maximum dimensions: 40 × 30 × 20 cm (stored under the seat).

Cabin Suitcase

Passengers purchasing Priority Boarding or selected fare bundles may also bring:

55 × 40 × 20 cm

Maximum weight: 10 kg

Is Volotea Strict?

Moderately strict. Popular summer routes to Spain, Italy and Greece often have more frequent baggage inspections.

Pegasus Airlines

Pegasus is Turkey’s largest low-cost carrier and serves dozens of destinations across Europe, the Middle East and Central Asia.

Personal Item

Under Pegasus’s “Light” fare package, basic international tickets include only one small under-seat item:

40 × 30 × 15 cm

Maximum weight: 3 kg

Cabin Bag

Overhead cabin suitcases (55 × 40 × 23 cm, up to 8 kg) are no longer included with basic “Light” fares and require booking a higher fare package (such as Saver or Comfort Flex) or purchasing a cabin bag add-on.

Allowance depends on ticket package and route, so always check your booking confirmation.

Is Pegasus Strict?

Yes. Cabin baggage is frequently measured, especially during busy summer flights.

ITA Airways

ITA Airways isn’t a traditional low-cost airline, but it often competes on price throughout Europe. For many travelers, it offers better value because cabin baggage is already included.

Cabin Bag

Maximum dimensions: 55 × 35 × 25 cm

Maximum weight: 8 kg

Personal Item

Passengers may also bring a laptop bag, handbag, or small backpack, provided it fits under the seat.

Why Consider ITA?

Sometimes ITA’s ticket costs only €20–30 more than a budget airline once baggage fees are included. For longer trips, it can actually be the cheaper option.

Lufthansa

Lufthansa is another airline worth comparing when searching for flights. Once baggage, seat selection and airport fees are added to a Ryanair or Wizz Air booking, Lufthansa may end up costing roughly the same.

Personal Item (Included)

Under Lufthansa’s “Economy Basic” fare, tickets include only one small personal item:

40 × 30 × 15 cm (must fit under the seat in front of you).

Cabin Bag (Fare Dependent)

A larger cabin bag (55 × 40 × 23 cm, max weight 8 kg) is no longer included on Economy Basic tickets and requires an extra fee or booking a standard Economy fare.

Best For

Business travelers
Travelers with connecting flights
Longer European journeys

Which Airlines Are the Strictest?

Rank	Airline	Strictness
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	Ryanair	Very strict
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	Wizz Air	Very strict
⭐⭐⭐⭐	Pegasus	Strict
⭐⭐⭐⭐	Vueling	Moderately strict
⭐⭐⭐	Volotea	Moderate
⭐⭐⭐	easyJet	Moderate
⭐⭐	Norwegian	Relaxed
⭐⭐	Eurowings	Relaxed
⭐	Jet2	Generally relaxed

Which Airline Has the Largest Free Personal Item?

Airline	Free Bag
easyJet	45 × 36 × 20 cm ✅
Ryanair	40 × 20 × 25 cm
Wizz Air	40 × 30 × 20 cm
Vueling	40 × 30 × 20 cm
Transavia	40 × 30 × 20 cm
Eurowings	40 × 30 × 25 cm
Norwegian	30 × 20 × 38 cm

Best Carry-On Backpacks for European Budget Airlines

If you frequently fly with different airlines, buying a single travel backpack around 40 × 20 × 25 cm with soft sides and compression straps complies with the strictest limits and saves money and stress.

Pro Packing Tip

Don’t pack your backpack until it’s completely full. Leaving a little extra space allows the bag to compress naturally if an airline asks you to place it into a baggage measuring frame.

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Coming Up in Part 3

The final section includes:

How to avoid baggage fees
Money-saving packing strategies
Upcoming EU cabin baggage rule changes
Common mistakes & FAQs

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