UK budget airlines all have different carry-on rules, and they enforce them at the gate. The right suitcase fits all of them; the wrong one earns you a £45 surprise charge. Here's the practical guide.

The 2026 carry-on rules at a glance

Always check directly with the airline before flying, as carry-on rules change frequently and can vary by fare class.

The 'fits all of them' suitcase

If you fly multiple budget airlines, you want a suitcase no larger than 55 × 35 × 20 cm. That's small enough to qualify for Ryanair Priority, EasyJet's larger bag, and Jet2's overhead allowance – with millimetres to spare. Anything bigger and Ryanair will reject it at the gate.

The SAIMAZ Cabin Carry-On Suitcase 55 × 35 × 20 cm is built to this dimension specifically.

Hard shell or soft side?

• Hard shell (ABS / polycarbonate): better protection for fragile items, fits airline sizers more reliably (rigid sides don't bulge), easier to clean. Slightly less internal space at the same external size.
• Soft side (polyester / nylon): lighter, more flexible if you're packing odd shapes, often has external pockets. The risk is bulging – a soft case packed full can fail a sizer that a hard case the same size would pass.

For Ryanair / EasyJet flights specifically, hard shell wins because the sizers are unforgiving.

Wheels: 2 or 4?

• Four-wheel spinner: easiest to push around airports, best for paved surfaces. Loses some internal space to wheel housings.
• Two-wheel inline: tougher and lasts longer outdoors. More internal space.

For airport-only use, four-wheel spinner. For bumpy pavements and cobbles, two-wheel.

Don't forget the small bag

All budget airlines include one free small under-seat bag. The trick is making sure your second bag actually fits the very small allowance – Ryanair's free bag is just 40 × 20 × 25 cm, smaller than most rucksacks.

For laptops and weekend essentials, the SAIMAZ anti-theft laptop backpack sits within the small bag allowance for most airlines and includes a USB charging port for the flight.

Weight limits: the trap

The weight limit is checked at the gate, and a 10 kg cabin bag including the suitcase weight goes fast. A typical hard shell cabin case weighs 2.0–2.5 kg empty, so you have ~7.5 kg for clothes and toiletries. Pack heavier items (books, electronics) closest to the wheels for balance.

Practical packing tips

• Roll clothes, don't fold – saves ~30% space.
• Use packing cubes – helps the case sit square in the airline sizer.
• Wear your heaviest shoes / coat onto the plane – not packed.
• Liquids: 100 ml max, all in one transparent bag.

Browse the full SAIMAZ backpacks and cabin luggage collection – every cabin suitcase sized to UK budget airline rules, with free UK delivery.