Trolley, backpack or shopper: which bag is actually allowed in the cabin as hand luggage? The short answer: your airline and your fare decide. The longer answer, including the current 2026 dimensions and why a soft bag is almost always the better choice, is right here.
Personal item or cabin trolley?
Almost all airlines now distinguish between two types of hand luggage. The small personal item, for example a handbag, backpack or laptop bag, must fit under the seat in front of you and is usually included free of charge with every ticket. The larger cabin bag for the overhead locker is only included with many airlines for an extra fee or in higher fares. If you travel with just the free item, you save real money, but you need a bag that makes optimal use of the format.
These dimensions apply in 2026 (examples)
- easyJet: small cabin bag up to 45 x 36 x 20 cm free with every ticket, may weigh up to 15 kg
- Ryanair: free small bag up to 40 x 30 x 20 cm (enlarged since late 2025), larger cabin bag only with Priority
- Lufthansa: in the new Economy Basic fare on short- and medium-haul routes, only a small personal item is included
- Condor: more generous since May 2026, with a small bag up to 40 x 30 x 15 cm in every fare
Important: these figures change regularly and may vary by fare. You'll always find the binding dimensions up to date with your airline and on your ticket.
Why a soft bag has the advantage
At every gate there's a sizing box that your hand luggage has to fit into if in doubt. A hard trolley either fits or it doesn't, with no room for discussion. A soft, flexible bag, on the other hand, adapts. If you don't pack it to the brim, it moulds itself into the box, the overhead locker or under the seat. That's exactly why our shoppers are such popular travel companions, as you can also read in our article “Hand luggage at All-time Favourites”.
The shopper as the ideal hand-luggage bag
The small shopper with zip is perfect if you travel with only the free personal item. It's compact, stows easily under the seat in front of you and, thanks to the zip, is always securely closed.
The large shopper easily replaces the trolley for a weekend, with room for several outfits, your laptop and your toiletry bag. With our packing cubes everything stays organised, and at your destination your hand luggage simply turns into a beach or everyday bag.
Not sure which size suits you? On the page “Which size?” you'll find out step by step.
So: which bag as hand luggage? One that's flexible, closes securely and that you'll still love carrying every day after landing. Discover our travel bags and fly in style.
Bags Bigger Than Life.