Budget airline carry-on rules: Ryanair, Wizz Air, easyJet, Frontier, Allegiant
How low-cost carriers handle cabin bags, what is free, what costs extra, and how strictly they measure.
September 2026
The pattern
Almost every low-cost carrier works the same way: the ticket includes one small bag that fits under the seat, and the overhead-bin bag is a paid add-on. The free bag is smaller than a typical carry-on, and the size is enforced with a metal frame at the gate.
Europe
Ryanair: free bag 40 × 30 × 20 cm. Priority adds a 55 × 40 × 20 cm, 10 kg bag. Wizz Air: free bag 40 × 30 × 20 cm. Priority adds 55 × 40 × 23 cm, 10 kg. easyJet: free bag 45 × 36 × 20 cm, the largest free allowance of the three. A large cabin bag of 56 × 45 × 25 cm costs extra. Vueling and Volotea follow the Ryanair pattern at 40 × 30 × 20 cm.
United States
Frontier: free personal item 18 × 14 × 8 in. Carry-on up to 24 × 16 × 10 in and 35 lb is paid. Allegiant: free personal item 18 × 14 × 8 in, paid carry-on 22 × 16 × 10 in. Breeze, Avelo and Sun Country follow the same model. Spirit used the same model until it stopped flying in May 2026.
How strict are they
Very. If the bag does not drop into the sizer with the handle collapsed, you pay the gate rate, which is the highest price on the menu. Measure at home with our checker, packed, and leave a margin of at least 1 cm on each side.
How to avoid the fee
Buy a bag that fits the free allowance of the strictest airline you fly. Add a carry-on at booking if you need one, never at the airport. On easyJet and Ryanair, seat bundles that include the large bag are often cheaper than the bag alone.