A scene that plays out every day at dozens of European airports. A passenger walks confidently up to the gate — in one hand a cabin suitcase, in the other a roomy backpack. On their face, the calm of someone who, after all, "always flies like this." A gate agent takes one look, and a moment later, without a second's hesitation, points at the backpack:
"This bag has to go in the hold. The fee is 69.99 euros."
Seventy euros. For something the passenger has flown with dozens of times without a problem. For something that seemed obvious and normal. For not knowing — because it's precisely not knowing that airlines value most.
The question "can you have two carry-on bags?" sounds like one of the simplest you could ask before a flight. In reality it's one of the most treacherous — because the answer differs radically depending on which airline you're flying with, which fare you chose, whether you have a Priority ticket, which class you're travelling in, and sometimes even on which airport your adventure begins.
With traditional carriers — such as LOT, Lufthansa or KLM — two carry-on bags are standard already in the base ticket price. With low-cost airlines — Ryanair, Wizz Air, easyJet — the second item in the overhead locker is a privilege you have to pay for separately. And with long-haul carriers from the Persian Gulf, like Emirates or Qatar Airways, the rules look different again, often more liberal than you might expect.
In this article we go through the baggage rules of each of these carriers — without beating around the bush, with specific dimensions, weights and prices. We start with the low-cost lines, move through traditional European carriers, and finish with the luxury long-haul lines. After reading it you'll know exactly what you can take on board — and what to do to avoid a painful surprise at the gate.
What actually is carry-on baggage?
Before we delve into the rules of individual carriers, we have to establish one thing: "carry-on baggage" isn't a single concept. It's an umbrella under which two completely different categories hide — and confusing them is the most common mistake that costs passengers hundreds of millions of euros a year.
Cabin baggage vs personal item — the key distinction
The first category is cabin baggage (carry-on bag). This is the larger suitcase, hiking backpack or travel bag that you place in the overhead locker. It's precisely this item that most travellers think of when they say "carry-on baggage." The standard dimensions allowed by European carriers usually hover around 55×40×23 cm, although every airline has its own range here.
The second category is the personal item. This is a smaller bag, a handbag, a laptop backpack or a bum bag — anything that has to fit under the seat in front of you. The permitted dimensions usually range between 40×30×15 cm and 40×30×20 cm, depending on the carrier. The personal item is included in the ticket price with practically every airline in the world.
So when a passenger says they want to have "two carry-on bags," it most often means precisely this combination of the two items: a trolley for the locker plus a bag for under the seat. And this is where the trouble begins — because while you almost always have the personal item included, the cabin bag for the locker tends already to be treated as a privilege you have to pay extra for.
IATA standards — the reference point airlines don't observe
There's an organisation that should, in theory, bring order to this chaos. IATA (the International Air Transport Association) has for years recommended that cabin baggage not exceed dimensions of 55×35×25 cm. It's a standard that was meant to unify the rules around the world and put an end to the situation where a passenger doesn't know whether their suitcase will pass the check.
The problem is that IATA's recommendations aren't binding. Airlines treat them as a guideline, not as binding law. As a result we're dealing with complete arbitrariness: easyJet allows baggage with dimensions of 56×45×25 cm, Ryanair limits the trolley to 55×40×20 cm, and LOT permits 55×40×25 cm. The differences amount to a few centimetres, but in practice they mean that a "cabin" suitcase bought in line with the IATA standard may not pass the check with a particular carrier.
Since 2026 a certain reference point has become the standard of the Airlines for Europe (A4E) organisation, to which Ryanair, Wizz Air and Lufthansa, among others, belong. According to it every member carrier has to provide a free personal item with minimum dimensions of 40×30×15 cm in the cheapest fare. It's a step in the right direction — but it still doesn't resolve the matter of the second, larger cabin bag.
Why are the rules so different? Business, not chance
The chaos in baggage rules isn't accidental — it's carefully designed. Low-cost airlines have for decades applied a business model based on so-called unbundling: the ticket is cheap because everything except the seat in the plane itself has been taken out of the price. Baggage, seat selection, a meal, priority boarding — each of these services is a separate item in the price list.
The effect? Revenue from additional fees makes up between 15 and 25% of total revenue at Ryanair and Wizz Air. Baggage is one of the biggest generators of this sum — especially fees charged at the gate, which are as much as three times higher than those available online. Airlines know perfectly well that a passenger at the gate is in a no-win position: they'll pay, because they have no choice.
Traditional carriers, in turn, build their competitive advantage on inclusiveness. LOT, Lufthansa or KLM include baggage in the ticket price not because they're philanthropists — but because their business model assumes higher ticket prices with a broader range of services. These are two sides of the same coin, and both have their economic logic.
Knowing this logic, it's much easier to understand why airlines do everything they can to make baggage rules as complicated as possible. The more passengers who get lost — the more they pay.
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Low-cost airlines: Ryanair, Wizz Air, easyJet — who, how much and for how much?
Low-cost airlines revolutionised the European travel market — and it's hard not to give them credit for it. Thanks to them, flying stopped being a privilege of the few and became the everyday reality of millions. The price of this revolution, however, is a baggage policy that, for an uninitiated passenger, can be a source of painful financial surprises. Ryanair, Wizz Air and easyJet are the three biggest low-cost carriers in Europe — and each of them has its own specific system of rules, traps and surcharges. It's time to decode them.
Ryanair — the master of restrictions
Ryanair has consistently tightened its baggage policy over the years, and each successive change provoked a new wave of dissatisfaction among passengers. The end result is that today the Irish carrier has one of the most rigorous baggage systems in Europe — at least when it comes to the cheapest fares.
Current rules — two items only with Priority
In the standard fare without any add-ons every Ryanair passenger has the right to take on board exclusively one small personal bag. It has to fit under the seat and may not exceed dimensions of 40×20×25 cm. There's no question of a trolley in the overhead locker, no second bag, no exceptions. One item — and that's it.
The situation changes dramatically after purchasing the Priority option (formerly called "Priority Boarding"). With this option the passenger gains the right to two items: a large trolley with dimensions up to 55×40×20 cm and a weight up to 10 kg, which goes in the overhead locker, plus a small personal bag (40×20×25 cm) under the seat. It's precisely this combination that is what we colloquially understand by "two carry-on bags" on Ryanair.
Dimensions and weights — what's the penalty for exceeding them?
Since 2025 Ryanair has been actively tightening baggage checks at airports. Exceeding the permitted dimensions or weight results in mandatory checking of the bag into the hold for a fee that comes to a standard 69.99 euros. Importantly — the airline officially admits that it rewarded ground staff for detecting passengers with non-standard baggage. Turning a blind eye to excess kilograms or centimetres has gone irreversibly into the past.
It's worth remembering that Ryanair measures baggage dimensions including all protruding elements — wheels, handles, external pockets. A suitcase described by the manufacturer as "cabin 55 cm" may, after adding the wheels, reach 60 cm and not fit into the template at the gate. It's a trap that a surprising number of experienced travellers fall into.
Trap: what is a "small personal bag" according to Ryanair?
The dimensions 40×20×25 cm are the format that Ryanair describes as a "small personal bag." It sounds innocent — but in practice it's one of the smallest permitted formats among European airlines. For comparison: Wizz Air allows a personal item in a size of 40×30×20 cm, and easyJet — 45×36×20 cm. The difference seems small, but it translates into several precious litres of space.
Many passengers discover this difference only at the gate, when a standard laptop backpack that fit without a problem with other carriers turns out to be too big for Ryanair. A bag you buy specifically as "carry-on baggage for Ryanair" should have dimensions clearly smaller than 40×20×25 cm — because bag manufacturers, too, measure their products internally, not externally.
| Ryanair fare | Small personal bag | Trolley for the locker | Cost of the option |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard (without Priority) | ✅ 40×20×25 cm under the seat |
❌ Not allowed | — |
| With Priority option | ✅ 40×20×25 cm under the seat |
✅ 55×40×20 cm, max 10 kg overhead locker |
from €6 to €36 (depending on route and date) |
| At the gate (without Priority) | ✅ only a small bag | ⚠️ Checked into the hold | €69.99 |
The conclusion is simple: if you're flying Ryanair with anything more than a very small bag — buy the Priority option online. Even on the day of departure, through the app, it'll be several times cheaper than the penalty at the gate.
Wizz Air — a bit more for free, but similar logic
Wizz Air, the Hungarian low-cost carrier operating a huge network of connections across Europe, applies a model very similar to Ryanair's — with a few important differences worth knowing.
WIZZ Go, WIZZ Plus and WIZZ Priority — what does each fare really give?
The basic WIZZ Go fare gives the right to one personal bag with dimensions of 40×30×20 cm and a weight up to 10 kg. That's already a far more generous format from the start than at Ryanair — the capacity of this bag is clearly larger, which in practice means you'll fit more things in it for a short trip. This bag, however, has to go under the seat, not in the locker.
The WIZZ Plus fare is a package that, besides baggage, also contains other benefits — including a free flight change, selected lounge services and booking flexibility. Cabin baggage for the locker is, however, available only with the WIZZ Priority option. With it the passenger gains the right to a trolley with dimensions of 55×40×23 cm and a weight up to 10 kg going into the overhead locker — plus, of course, the 40×30×20 cm personal bag under the seat.
Bag under the seat vs bag for the locker — the practical difference
Many passengers don't understand why Wizz Air emphasises this distinction so strongly. The answer is simple: overhead lockers are a limited resource, and the airline wants full control over it. A passenger without Priority who tries to squeeze their bag into the locker risks intervention from the crew. The standard approach of Wizz Air gate staff: the bag has to fit under the seat — and that literally, without wrestling with the seats.
How much does the second carry-on bag really cost — online vs airport?
This is a question whose answer surprises many passengers. The WIZZ Priority option bought in advance online usually costs from 20 to 50 euros depending on the route and date of booking — the earlier, the cheaper. The same option bought through the app on the day of the flight is usually 30–60 euros. Meanwhile, if the gate staff determine that your bag doesn't fit under the seat, you'll pay a standard 69.99 euros or pounds — without negotiation and without the possibility of appeal.
The difference between a purchase a week in advance and paying the penalty at the gate can amount to as much as 40–50 euros per person, per direction. On a round trip and with a second person — that's already over 150 euros of losses, which result solely from a lack of knowledge of the rules.
| Wizz Air fare | Personal bag | Trolley for the locker | Approximate cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| WIZZ Go (base) | ✅ 40×30×20 cm, max 10 kg under the seat |
❌ Not allowed | — |
| With WIZZ Priority option | ✅ 40×30×20 cm, max 10 kg | ✅ 55×40×23 cm, max 10 kg overhead locker |
from ~€20 online |
| Penalty at the gate | ✅ only the bag under the seat | ⚠️ Checked into the hold | €69.99/£ |
EasyJet — a bit gentler, but not without traps
Against the backdrop of Ryanair and Wizz Air, easyJet gives the impression of a slightly friendlier carrier — and in part this impression is justified. The British airline applies similar fare-tiering logic, but differs in a few details worth knowing.
The easyJet baggage system — fares and the Hands Free option
In the cheapest fare an easyJet passenger can take on board one carry-on bag with dimensions of 45×36×20 cm. That's a clearly larger format than at Ryanair (40×20×25 cm) — it practically holds a compact backpack with things for a weekend. The bag has to fit under the seat or — and here easyJet differs from the competition — may go in the locker if there's free space after boarding closes. There's no guarantee, but the crew isn't as restrictive as at Ryanair.
The Standard Plus fare and higher give the right to a full-size cabin bag with dimensions of 56×45×25 cm going reliably into the overhead locker. easyJet also offers the Hands Free option — a service in which the larger cabin bag is collected at the gate and transported in the baggage hold free of charge, without the need to wait for the belt after landing (the bag goes to priority collection). It's an interesting alternative for people who don't want to lug a heavy suitcase through the terminal.
Comparison: who is the most restrictive?
Setting the three airlines side by side, the picture becomes clear. Ryanair is decidedly the most restrictive in terms of free personal baggage — 40×20×25 cm is the tightest format of the three. Wizz Air is more generous (40×30×20 cm) and gives a real chance to pack things for a few-day trip without surcharges. easyJet offers the largest free format (45×36×20 cm) and the most flexible approach from staff — although you shouldn't rely on that flexibility.
When it comes to penalties for exceeding limits, all three airlines apply similar rates: about 70 euros or pounds at the gate. The difference is the frequency and scrupulousness of checks — Ryanair is the decided leader in restrictions here, easyJet a bit gentler, Wizz Air — somewhere in the middle.
| Airline | Free personal bag | Trolley included? | Penalty at the gate | Restrictiveness |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ryanair | 40×20×25 cm | ❌ Only with Priority (€6–36) | ~€69.99 | 🔴 Highest |
| Wizz Air | 40×30×20 cm, 10 kg | ❌ Only with WIZZ Priority (~€20–50) | ~€69.99/£ | 🟠 High |
| easyJet | 45×36×20 cm | ❌ Only Standard Plus / Hands Free | ~£/€70 | 🟡 Moderate |
The conclusion from this part is one: with none of the low-cost carriers can you count on two full-size carry-on bags in the price of the cheapest ticket. The second item in the locker is always an additional cost — only its amount and purchase conditions differ. The key is planning in advance and buying the appropriate option online, before you do the same at the gate for three times the price.
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Traditional European airlines: LOT, Lufthansa, KLM — more in the price, but the devil's in the details
Travelling with traditional airlines, you can breathe a sigh of relief — at least when it comes to carry-on baggage. Network carriers (so-called full-service carriers) include in the ticket price both the personal item and the actual cabin bag for the overhead locker. It sounds like the end of the problem — but it's a deceptive sense of security. The travel class, the chosen fare, the route and the details of the regulations can surprise even an experienced traveller. We check each of the three key traditional European carriers separately.
LOT Polish Airlines — close to home, but not everything in the price
LOT Polish Airlines is, for many travellers, a default choice when planning both short European flights and long intercontinental journeys. The carrier offers a relatively transparent baggage system — but with one trap that's easy to overlook.
Rules for Economy class — the fare matters
At LOT everything starts with the fare, not the class. And here a key distinction appears, which surprises many passengers. The cheapest economy fare, Economy Light, gives the right exclusively to one personal item with dimensions of 40×30×20 cm, which has to fit under the seat. No trolley in the locker — exactly as with the low-cost lines. It's an important difference compared with what most passengers expect from a traditional carrier.
Only the Economy Standard and Economy Flex fares give what we expect from LOT: a full-size cabin suitcase with dimensions up to 55×40×25 cm going into the overhead locker, plus a personal item under the seat. Together — two carry-on bags in the ticket price. There is, however, a catch: the weight limit of the cabin suitcase is a mere 5 kg, which is one of the lowest limits among traditional European carriers. Lufthansa and KLM allow 8–12 kg — LOT limits it to half that value.
In practice 5 kg is little. An empty hard cabin suitcase alone usually weighs 2–2.5 kg, which leaves only 2.5–3 kg for the contents. Many passengers unwittingly exceed this limit, packing things as for a standard bag — and here the risk of a surcharge at the gate appears.
| LOT fare / class | Personal item | Cabin bag (locker) | Max weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economy Light | ✅ 40×30×20 cm | ❌ Not allowed | — |
| Economy Standard / Flex | ✅ 40×30×20 cm | ✅ 55×40×25 cm | 5 kg (suitcase) |
| Business Class | ✅ personal item | ✅ 2 pieces of cabin baggage | up to 16 kg total |
Can you count on LOT staff being lenient?
This is a question that appears in every discussion about LOT — and the answer is inevitably ambiguous. LOT historically had a reputation for a certain flexibility in its approach to passengers, especially on domestic and short European routes. Ground staff reached for scales and templates less often than their counterparts at Ryanair or Wizz Air.
However, the reality of 2025 and 2026 is different. Growing flight loads, pressure on operational efficiency and the standardisation of procedures mean that leniency is becoming less and less systemic, and more and more dependent on the particular day, airport and mood of the staff. Relying on staff understanding is a high-risk strategy — especially on popular holiday routes, where overflowing lockers force literal application of the rules.
Exceptions: musical instruments and medical items
LOT — like every self-respecting traditional airline — provides for a series of exceptions to standard baggage limits. Small musical instruments (violin, flute, ukulele) may be brought on board as cabin baggage, provided they fit in the locker and don't take up passengers' space. For larger instruments (classical guitar, cello) LOT enables the purchase of an additional seat — the instrument gets its own "seat."
Medical equipment necessary during the flight — inhalers, ampoules of insulin, orthopaedic pillows, travel ventilators — is accepted beyond the standard baggage limit. It requires, however, prior notification to the carrier, and in some cases the presentation of a medical certificate. It's worth calling the LOT helpline or using the notification form on the website before departure — you'll avoid a nervous conversation at the gate.
Lufthansa — the 1+1 policy, which isn't as simple as it looks
Lufthansa, the German airline from the Lufthansa Group, is one of the most recognisable carriers in Europe. Its baggage policy is based on the 1+1 principle — one cabin bag plus one personal item — but the details of this formula differ depending on the fare, class and flight route.
The 1+1 policy — what does it really mean in each fare?
Even in the cheapest Economy Light fare Lufthansa gives the passenger one cabin bag with dimensions up to 55×40×23 cm and a weight up to 8 kg, plus one personal item with dimensions of 40×30×10 cm. The second limit draws attention — 10 cm of depth is a very restrictive format, which excludes most standard laptop bags. In practice a thin folder, a handbag or a flat document bag fits in it.
In the Economy Classic and Flex fares the personal item limit is somewhat gentler in the staff's interpretation — although the official dimensions remain similar. In Business class the passenger has the right to two full-size cabin bags (each up to 8 kg), which combined with a personal item gives de facto three items brought on board. In the exclusive First class the rules are equally generous, and the cabin crew approaches them with great flexibility.
European routes vs intercontinental — where does the difference matter?
Lufthansa distinguishes baggage rules depending on the length of the route, and this difference can surprise. On European routes the standard is one piece of cabin baggage (8 kg) plus a personal item. On intercontinental routes in higher fares the weight limit of the cabin bag remains the same (8 kg), but Lufthansa applies a combined-limit rule — the suitcase and personal item together may not exceed the set weight. In practice this means that a heavy laptop in a bag can "eat into" part of the suitcase's weight limit.
It's also worth knowing that on flights operated by Lufthansa's partners within the group — Austrian Airlines, Swiss, Brussels Airlines, Eurowings — slightly different rules may apply, even if the ticket was issued by Lufthansa. It's always worth checking who actually operates a given flight in the booking details.
How is the combined weight counted?
This is a question that Lufthansa answers fairly unambiguously: the weight of the cabin bag and the personal item is counted separately, not combined — at least in the standard interpretation. Officially the cabin bag may not exceed 8 kg, and the personal item is measured mainly by dimension, not by weight. In practice, however, Lufthansa ground staff tend to be less rigorous in weighing baggage than the low-cost lines — although full weighing at the gate isn't ruled out on crowded routes.
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines — Dutch precision with a human face
KLM, the Dutch carrier from the Air France-KLM group, is another example of a traditional airline that offers two carry-on bags already in the standard fare. KLM's approach to baggage limits is sometimes rated by passengers as one of the friendlier — although here too there are nuances worth knowing before the flight.
Similarities to Lufthansa — same alliance, different rules
KLM and Lufthansa belong to the same Star Alliance, but are independent carriers with their own regulations. Contrary to popular belief, belonging to the same group doesn't mean identical baggage rules. KLM in economy class allows one cabin bag with dimensions of 55×35×25 cm and one personal item with dimensions of 40×30×15 cm, whereby the combined weight of both items may not exceed 12 kg. It's one of the more generous weight limits among European traditional carriers.
The difference compared with Lufthansa is subtle but significant: KLM counts the weight combined for both items, while Lufthansa applies a separate 8 kg limit for the cabin bag. In practice, with lighter cabin baggage (e.g. a soft backpack instead of a hard suitcase) KLM gives more space for a heavier personal item — a laptop, a camera, headphones.
Rules regarding the personal item — what does KLM accept?
KLM defines the personal item fairly standardly: a bag, handbag, laptop backpack or similar item fitting under the seat within dimensions of 40×30×15 cm. Unlike Lufthansa, which in the cheapest fare limits the depth of the personal item to 10 cm, KLM gives clearly more space here. 15 cm of depth is already a format in which most standard backpacks for a 15-inch laptop will fit.
KLM also accepts — without counting them towards the limit — coats and jackets carried on board over the arm or hand, umbrellas and purchases from the duty-free zone made after passing the security check. This last rule is highly valued by KLM passengers, especially on longer routes with a transfer in Amsterdam (AMS), where the duty-free zone is one of the largest in Europe.
Codeshare — what happens when another airline issued the ticket?
This is one of the most underappreciated problems when travelling with traditional carriers. A codeshare ticket means that you buy a ticket from one airline (e.g. KLM), but the plane is actually operated by another (e.g. Delta Air Lines on transatlantic routes or Kenya Airways on flights to Africa). In such a situation the baggage rules of the actual flight operator may apply — not KLM's.
In practice it looks as follows: you buy a KLM ticket from Amsterdam to Nairobi, but the flight is operated by Kenya Airways. Kenya Airways has its own cabin baggage limits, which may differ from the Dutch carrier's. At the gate the rules of Kenya Airways apply — and no conversation about how "I bought a KLM ticket" will change anything here. Always check who actually operates your flight — this information is available in the booking details under the flight number.
| Airline | Cabin bag (locker) | Personal item | Combined / separate weight | Included in Economy? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LOT (Standard/Flex) | 55×40×25 cm | 40×30×20 cm | 5 kg (suitcase separate) | ✅ Yes |
| LOT (Light) | ❌ Not allowed | 40×30×20 cm | — | ⚠️ Personal item only |
| Lufthansa (Economy) | 55×40×23 cm | 40×30×10 cm | 8 kg (suitcase separate) | ✅ Yes |
| KLM (Economy) | 55×35×25 cm | 40×30×15 cm | 12 kg combined | ✅ Yes |
To sum up this part: traditional European airlines are unquestionably friendlier for passengers with carry-on baggage than the low-cost carriers. However, the devil's in the details — the Economy Light fare at LOT or Lufthansa can be just as restrictive as Ryanair's base fare. Always check what specifically is included in your fare — not in the class, but in the fare. It's one, and often fundamental, difference that decides what you'll reach the cabin with.
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Long-haul airlines: Emirates and Qatar Airways — luxury starts with the baggage
If low-cost airlines are a world of restrictions and surcharges, and traditional European carriers — a sensible compromise, then long-haul lines from the Persian Gulf sit at a completely different pole. Emirates and Qatar Airways have for decades built their reputation on a high standard of passenger service — and the baggage policy is an integral part of that. Before you let yourself be lulled by the luxury atmosphere, however, it's worth knowing the details — because here too there are rules, limits and subtle differences that may surprise.
Emirates — the liberal giant from Dubai
Emirates is a line that consistently places in the top of global passenger-service rankings — and its baggage policy fully reflects that. The Dubai carrier is widely regarded as one of the more generous carriers when it comes to baggage, both carry-on and checked. But "liberal" doesn't mean "without rules."
Travel classes and carry-on baggage limits
Emirates applies a clear division of cabin baggage limits depending on the travel class. In Economy class every passenger can bring on board one cabin bag with dimensions up to 55×38×20 cm and a weight up to 7 kg, plus one personal item (laptop bag, handbag, small backpack). In total — two items in the ticket price, without any additional options or surcharges.
In Business class the limit rises to two pieces of cabin baggage with a combined weight up to 15 kg. Each of the two items may have dimensions up to 55×38×20 cm — which in practice means the possibility of taking two compact cabin suitcases plus a personal item. In the exclusive First class two pieces of cabin baggage with a combined weight up to 16 kg apply, and Emirates First cabin crew approaches the matter of baggage with exceptional flexibility — passengers of this class rarely experience problems at the gate.
| Emirates class | Cabin baggage | Max weight | Personal item |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | 1 piece, max 55×38×20 cm | 7 kg | ✅ Yes (bag/laptop) |
| Business | 2 pieces, max 55×38×20 cm each | 15 kg total | ✅ Yes |
| First | 2 pieces, max 55×38×20 cm each | 16 kg total | ✅ Yes |
Dimensions and weights — liberal, but with limits
The 7 kg limit for Emirates economy class is sometimes perceived by some passengers as low — and compared with KLM (12 kg combined) it indeed is. However, Emirates is in good company here: Qatar Airways and most Asian long-haul lines apply similar weight restrictions for Economy. The key advantage of Emirates is, in turn, its liberal approach to weighing cabin baggage. At the gate Emirates reaches for the scale less often than European traditional carriers — although on popular routes to London, Frankfurt or other major hubs, spot checks do happen.
What you can additionally take — laptop bag, duty free, coat
Emirates stands out against the competition with a broad list of items accepted beyond the standard baggage limit. The carrier's official regulations list as allowed without counting towards the limit: a coat or jacket carried over the arm, an umbrella, a walking stick or orthopaedic crutch, a camera carried separately, and — what's particularly important — purchases from the duty-free zone made after passing the security check.
This last rule is particularly valued by Emirates passengers on flights from Dubai (DXB), where the duty-free zone at the airport is one of the largest and most extensive in the world. A bottle of perfume, a bottle of whisky and a bar of chocolate in a duty-free bag — Emirates won't count this as additional carry-on baggage. It's a real financial benefit for passengers using a transfer in Dubai.
Qatar Airways — similar philosophy, different nuances
Qatar Airways, the Qatari carrier operating from Doha, is a direct rival of Emirates in the premium long-haul segment — and its baggage policy is very close to Emirates'. However, the devil's in the details, and these may matter on a particular flight.
A policy similar to Emirates — but with subtle differences
In Economy class Qatar Airways allows one cabin bag with dimensions of 50×37×25 cm and a weight up to 7 kg, plus one personal item. The cabin dimensions are slightly different from Emirates (50 cm of length instead of 55 cm) — which in practice means that a cabin suitcase designed for Emirates standards may not fit into the Qatar Airways template. It's a rare but real problem when flying both airlines there and back.
In Business class (Qsuite) Qatar Airways applies a limit of two pieces of cabin baggage with a combined weight up to 15 kg, analogously to Emirates. First class, available on selected routes, offers two pieces of a maximum of 8 kg each. Qatar Airways is famous for the Qsuite — private cabins in business class, where the matter of carry-on baggage takes a back seat to the space the passenger has at their disposal.
Privilege Club — does status give additional carry-on baggage?
Qatar Airways' loyalty programme, Privilege Club, offers four levels of status: Burgundy (basic), Silver, Gold and Platinum. And here an important piece of information appears: higher statuses in Privilege Club translate above all into higher checked-baggage limits — not carry-on. Silver and Gold status give additional kilograms of baggage checked into the hold, but don't change the formal limits of cabin baggage.
The exception is Platinum status — the highest level of the programme. Platinum members of Privilege Club are treated at the Business class level even with a purchased Economy ticket, which in practice may mean a higher cabin baggage limit and priority boarding. However, the exact benefits depend on the current programme regulations and the flight route — it's worth checking directly on the Qatar Airways website before each flight, because the loyalty programme's rules are updated several times a year.
Rules at Hamad airport (DOH) — the specifics of check-in
Hamad International Airport in Doha (DOH) is one of the largest transfer hubs in the world — and it has its specifics, which it's worth knowing about. Qatar Airways check-in in Doha is usually efficient and well organised, but cabin-baggage checks at the gate tend to be more rigorous here than at many European airports. Qatar Airways ground staff at DOH regularly use templates to measure baggage dimensions and portable scales.
It's especially worth remembering one rule specific to transfers in Doha: if you buy something in the duty-free zone at Hamad airport during a transfer, the bag with the purchases is accepted as an additional item — but only on condition that the purchases were made after passing the security check on the destination leg of the flight. On transfers with a change of security zone the purchases may require repackaging or go towards the baggage limit.
Comparison of long-haul vs low-cost lines — who really allows two bags?
Setting all the carriers discussed in this article against one another, the picture becomes clear and unambiguous. The difference between the low-cost model and premium long-haul lines is fundamental — and doesn't come down solely to luxurious seats or warm meals on board.
| Airline | 2 carry-on bags possible? | Condition | Additional cost | Max combined weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ryanair | ⚠️ Yes, conditionally | Priority option mandatory | €6–36 | 10 kg (trolley) |
| Wizz Air | ⚠️ Yes, conditionally | WIZZ Priority mandatory | ~€20–50 | 10 kg + 10 kg |
| easyJet | ⚠️ Yes, conditionally | Standard Plus fare / Hands Free | route-dependent | 15 kg combined |
| LOT (Economy Light) | ❌ No | Personal item only | — | — |
| LOT (Standard/Flex) | ✅ Yes, in the price | — | — | 5 kg (suitcase) |
| Lufthansa (Economy) | ✅ Yes, in the price | — | — | 8 kg + personal item |
| KLM (Economy) | ✅ Yes, in the price | — | — | 12 kg combined |
| Emirates (Economy) | ✅ Yes, in the price | — | — | 7 kg + personal item |
| Qatar Airways (Economy) | ✅ Yes, in the price | — | — | 7 kg + personal item |
The table speaks for itself. With the low-cost lines — Ryanair, Wizz Air, easyJet — two carry-on bags are a privilege you always have to pay separately for. With traditional European carriers and premium long-haul lines — it's standard already in the base economy fare, provided you're not buying the cheapest possible ticket in a "Light" fare. The difference in philosophy is fundamental: low-cost lines sell you a seat in the plane and treat baggage as a separate product. Traditional and premium lines sell you a journey — and baggage is an integral part of it.
It's worth remembering, however, that a higher standard doesn't always mean a higher total price. A LOT or Lufthansa ticket in a Standard fare with cabin baggage in the price can be comparable in cost to a Ryanair ticket to which we add the Priority option and seat selection. Before every booking it's worth calculating the total cost of the journey — not just the price of the ticket itself.
Peli travel bags & backpacks
When can you legally have two carry-on bags? Exceptions worth knowing
Baggage rules, although often rigorous and designed with the maximisation of airline revenue in mind, provide for a series of situations in which the passenger has the right to additional cabin baggage — without paying a penny more. Knowledge of these exceptions is information that, at the right moment, can save a lot of money and nerves at the gate. Here's a complete list of legal grounds for having more than one item of carry-on baggage.
Premium fares and loyalty programmes — a privilege that pays off
The simplest and most common route to a legal second carry-on bag leads through the choice of an appropriate fare or having status in the carrier's loyalty programme. It's a solution available to everyone — it requires only a conscious decision at the booking stage.
With the low-cost lines, as we already know, it's enough to buy the Priority option or its equivalent — and the second cabin bag becomes fully legal. With traditional carriers the matter is somewhat more complex. Fares higher than the base Light usually automatically give the right to the full set of carry-on baggage. It's worth remembering, however, that buying a more expensive ticket isn't always necessary — sometimes status in the loyalty programme is enough.
Holders of higher statuses in key loyalty programmes benefit from raised baggage limits even with a ticket in the cheapest fare. Specific examples are:
- Miles & More (Lufthansa) — holders of Senator and HON Circle status gain additional cabin baggage limits on all flights of the Lufthansa group
- Flying Blue (KLM / Air France) — Silver, Gold and Platinum statuses translate into higher limits, including sometimes an additional cabin baggage item
- Miles & Bonus (LOT) — higher statuses give the right to additional checked baggage, and on selected routes — a raised cabin limit
- Skywards (Emirates) — from Silver level upwards, Emirates passengers benefit from higher cabin baggage weight limits, even in Economy class
- Privilege Club (Qatar Airways) — Platinum status in practice treats the passenger as travelling in Business class, which means two pieces of cabin baggage in the price of an economy ticket
Investing in loyalty towards one carrier — especially with frequent business travel — can therefore bring real savings on baggage, which are easy to underestimate in a single comparison of ticket prices.
Duty Free purchases — an additional bag that no one questions
One of the most underappreciated baggage exceptions concerns purchases made in the duty-free zone. A bag with items bought after passing the security check is accepted by the vast majority of airlines beyond the standard carry-on baggage limit — and free of charge, without any formalities.
This rule applies directly with traditional and long-haul carriers: LOT, Lufthansa, KLM, Emirates and Qatar Airways accept a duty-free bag as an additional item without counting it towards the cabin baggage limit. With the low-cost lines — Ryanair, Wizz Air, easyJet — this rule isn't so unambiguously written into the regulations, which gives gate staff a certain freedom of interpretation. In practice, however, small bags with alcohol, perfume or sweets are rarely questioned even at Ryanair.
An important condition that tends to be omitted: the purchases have to be made after passing the security check on this particular leg of the flight. Items bought in the duty-free zone before the check — or in another terminal during a transfer, if a repeat check is required — may no longer benefit from this privilege. On flights with a transfer, always check whether you'll be passing through the security check again on the destination leg.
Medical and infant items — exceptions written into the law
Medical equipment necessary during the flight is a category in which the rules are unambiguous and favourable for passengers — regardless of the airline and chosen fare. Every airline operating in Europe and on international routes is obliged to accept necessary medical equipment beyond the standard carry-on baggage limit. This results both from EU regulations on passenger rights and from IATA rules.
This category includes, among others, inhalers and nebulisers, ampoules of insulin and syringes, orthopaedic pillows and specialist supports, portable ventilators and oxygen concentrators, as well as medicines requiring storage at a specific temperature. Medical equipment should be reported to the carrier in advance — usually through a form on the airline's website or via the helpline. In some cases a medical certificate or a document confirming the diagnosis is required. It's worth taking care of this formality with a minimum of 48 hours' notice before the flight.
A similar rule concerns infant items. A passenger travelling with an infant on their lap (until the child completes their 2nd year of life) has the right to bring on board an additional bag with items for the child: nappies, bottles, jars of food, toys and other necessary items. This bag is accepted beyond the standard carry-on baggage limit with practically every carrier — both low-cost and traditional.
Musical instruments in the cabin — when violins fly for free
A musician travelling with an instrument faces a dilemma that every professional performer knows: check the instrument into the baggage hold and risk damage, or take it into the cabin and grapple with the baggage rules? The rules on this matter are varied, but there are a few principles common to most carriers.
Small musical instruments — violin, viola, transverse flute, clarinet, ukulele, mandolin — may be brought on board as cabin baggage, provided they fit in the overhead locker or under the seat and don't exceed the standard dimension and weight limits of the given airline. In practice a violin in a case usually fits in the locker without a problem — and most airlines treat it like standard cabin baggage.
Larger instruments — classical guitar, cello, saxophone, small keyboard — are a different story. For them the only guarantee of safe transport in the cabin is purchasing an additional passenger seat, on which the instrument travels in its case fastened with a belt. This option is available with LOT, Lufthansa, KLM, Emirates and Qatar Airways. It requires prior booking and an additional fee equal to the price of a ticket for one person. Ryanair and Wizz Air don't offer this option on all routes — it's worth checking individually before booking.
Travelling with a child on your lap — what extra can you take?
Travelling with an infant is a logistical challenge that airlines try — at least formally — to ease through special baggage rules. A passenger with a child up to the 2nd year of life travelling on their lap (without their own seat) has the right to a series of additional baggage privileges that many parents simply don't know about.
Besides the already-mentioned bag with infant items, the parent can usually bring on board or check at the gate free of charge: a folding pushchair (collected directly at the steps to the plane or at the baggage belt after landing), a car seat (if the child occupies their own seat or the airline permits its installation), as well as an ergonomic baby carrier or sling for carrying the child.
The detailed rules differ depending on the airline — Ryanair and Wizz Air are more restrictive here than LOT or Emirates — which is why it's always worth checking the carrier's regulations in the section devoted to travelling with children before departure. One thing is certain, however: if you're flying with an infant, you have the right to more than the standard baggage regulations suggest at first glance.
How to fit within the rules — a practical guide
Knowing the rules of individual carriers, it's time to move on to practice. Here are tried-and-tested strategies that allow you to travel with the maximum amount of things without the risk of unpleasant surprises at the gate.
Pack smart, not a lot
The key to effective packing is choosing the right baggage. Soft hybrid backpacks have one fundamental advantage over hard suitcases: they're flexible, which means that even if they slightly exceed the declared dimensions, gate staff question them less often. Hardshell suitcases, in turn, are easier to measure precisely and more often end up on the control scale.
Remember, too, that suitcase manufacturers and airlines measure baggage dimensions differently. The manufacturer may give the interior dimensions, while the airline measures the external dimensions — including wheels and handle. The difference can amount to 3–5 cm and decide whether the suitcase fits into the template at the gate.
Buy baggage online — always
A priority option or second carry-on bag bought through the airline's website or in the mobile app usually costs from 30 to 70% less than the same service paid for at the airport at the gate. In the case of Ryanair the difference can amount to as much as several dozen euros. The rule is simple: the earlier, the cheaper — the optimal window is 2–4 weeks before the flight.
Dress in layers for the flight
If you have too many clothes and don't want to overpay for baggage — put them on. A thick hoodie, several layers of T-shirts, a parka with many pockets are a legal and widely applied way to "reduce" baggage. No airline weighs passengers at the gate.
⚠ Watch out for transfers and codeshare tickets
When buying a ticket with a transfer or a ticket issued by one airline but operated by another (codeshare), you may run into surprising rules. Always check which baggage rules apply on each leg of the flight — especially when one of the segments is operated by a low-cost airline. On such connections the rules of the actual flight operator usually apply, not the marketing carrier.
Apps for measuring baggage
Before you leave home, measure your baggage to the centimetre — including wheels, handles and any external pockets. There are also physical templates (sizer bags) on the market that reproduce the permitted dimensions for specific airlines. An investment of a few euros in such a tool pays off already on the first flight, when you avoid a 70-euro penalty.
The most common passenger mistakes — and how to avoid them
Through years of travel and observation of scenes at airports, a clear pattern of mistakes emerges that passengers make remarkably regularly. Here's a compendium of the most costly ones.
Mistake 1: Confusing the "personal item" with the main bag
Many passengers think that "carry-on baggage" is a single concept covering everything they bring on board. Meanwhile, the small bag under the seat and the suitcase for the locker are two separate categories with separate limits. Taking a large backpack as a "personal" item and trying to squeeze it under the seat is the quickest route to a confrontation with the staff.
Mistake 2: Buying the cheapest fare and counting on understanding
The era of turning a blind eye to non-standard baggage has gone irreversibly. Ryanair and Wizz Air have tightened checks — and pay staff bonuses for detected violations. Saving a dozen-or-so euros on a cheaper fare without Priority can turn into a penalty exceeding 70 euros at the gate.
Mistake 3: Not knowing the rules on transfers
You're travelling LOT from one city to Frankfurt, and from there Ryanair to Madrid? On the Frankfurt leg the rules of Ryanair apply — regardless of what you're allowed on LOT. Every segment of the flight is governed by the rules of the actual operator.
Mistake 4: Rounding the suitcase dimensions "by eye"
The manufacturer writes "55 cm" — but measures without wheels. With the wheels the suitcase is 60 cm. At the gate stands a template for 55 cm. The consequences are easy to predict. Always measure baggage with all protruding elements, exactly as the staff at the airport will.
Mistake 5: Ignoring the weight of the baggage
Dimensions aren't everything. Even if the suitcase fits in the template, it can be rejected if its weight exceeds the limit. A portable baggage scale (cost about €5–10) is a must-have for every traveller flying without checked baggage.
Summary table: who allows 2 carry-on bags?
| Airline | 2 bags possible? | Condition | Additional cost | Max weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ryanair | Yes (conditionally) | Priority option | €6–36 | 10 kg (trolley) |
| Wizz Air | Yes (conditionally) | WIZZ Priority | €20–50 | 10 kg + 10 kg |
| easyJet | Yes (conditionally) | Plus fare | route-dependent | 15 kg combined |
| LOT (Standard/Flex) | Yes (in the price) | — | — | 5 kg (suitcase) |
| Lufthansa (Economy) | Yes (in the price) | — | — | 8 kg + small |
| KLM (Economy) | Yes (in the price) | — | — | 12 kg combined |
| Emirates (Economy) | Yes (in the price) | — | — | 7 kg + personal |
| Qatar Airways (Economy) | Yes (in the price) | — | — | 7 kg + personal |
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Can I take a backpack and a laptop bag as two carry-on bags on Ryanair?
Without the Priority option — no. In the standard fare Ryanair allows exclusively one small personal item (40×20×25 cm), which has to fit under the seat. The second item (large backpack, trolley) requires purchasing the Priority option.
Does a duty-free bag count as carry-on baggage?
With traditional lines (LOT, Lufthansa, KLM, Emirates, Qatar) purchases from the duty-free zone made after passing the security check are usually accepted beyond the standard limit. With Ryanair and Wizz Air it depends on the staff's interpretation — small bags are rarely questioned, but there's no unambiguous guarantee in the regulations.
How much does checking baggage at the gate cost with Ryanair and Wizz Air?
The standard fee with both carriers is about 69.99 euros or pounds. It's one of the highest fees of this kind in Europe — many times higher than the cost of the priority option bought in advance.
Can a holder of a Lufthansa Miles & More gold card take more baggage?
Yes. Holders of higher statuses in the Miles & More programme benefit from raised baggage limits — both carry-on and checked. The detailed benefits depend on the status level (Senator, HON Circle) and travel class.
What happens if my carry-on baggage doesn't fit in the locker?
The cabin crew has the right to ask the passenger to check the baggage into the hold — usually free of charge, if the baggage fits within the permitted dimensions and the lockers are overflowing. The problem appears when the baggage exceeds the dimension or weight limits — then a fee is added.
Does a child on the lap have their own carry-on baggage limit?
An infant travelling on a parent's lap (up to the 2nd year of life) doesn't have a separate seat, but usually gives the guardian the right to an additional bag with items for the child. The detailed rules differ depending on the airline — it's worth checking before the flight.
Summary
The answer to the question "can you have two carry-on bags" is: it depends — and it depends very strongly. With traditional airlines (LOT, Lufthansa, KLM, Emirates, Qatar Airways) two cabin items are standard already in the base fare. With low-cost carriers (Ryanair, Wizz Air, easyJet) a second bag for the locker requires purchasing the appropriate option — without it you have the right only to one small bag under the seat.
Before every flight check the current baggage policy directly on your carrier's website — the rules change several times a year. And remember: the Priority option bought online is always a cheaper alternative than the penalty at the gate.
