A travel expert has revealed the one type of hand luggage to avoid when flying with budget airlines to dodge unexpected baggage fees. Chelsea, who shares travel tips on TikTok as Cheap Holiday Expert, warned passengers not to use small suitcases as their free cabin bag on budget carriers such as Ryanair, easyJet, and Wizz Air.
She explains that while these airlines allow one small bag for free, wheeled suitcases often exceed the permitted size, leading to extra charges at the gate. In a viral TikTok video, Chelsea said: “Stop taking suitcases as your small cabin bag on any of these airlines: Ryanair, easyJet, Wizz Air. The staff will see the wheels and think that bag is too big, and truth is, it probably is.”
She goes on to highlight the strict hand luggage size restrictions enforced by these airlines:
- Ryanair: 40 x 20 x 25 cm
- Wizz Air: 40 x 30 x 20 cm
- easyJet: 45 x 36 x 20 cm
To prove her point, Chelsea tested different bags in airline baggage sizers and found that most wheeled suitcases simply do not fit, meaning passengers could be forced to pay for an upgrade or check their bags.
Even some cabin bags marketed as “approved” were still too bulky to squeeze into the baggage checker. Instead of a suitcase, she recommends using a soft backpack, which is easier to fit within the allowed dimensions, even if it’s slightly over the limit.
“There are some suitcases on the market that will just about fit, but most of them are a total no-go. Instead, you are much better off using a soft backpack, which you can squeeze your stuff in,” she said.
Many frequent travellers agree with Chelsea’s tip, commenting that swapping a rigid suitcase for a flexible backpack has helped them avoid extra fees and board hassle-free.
Budget airlines are strict about hand luggage sizes, and airport staff often target wheeled bags, assuming they won’t fit in the free allowance.
With baggage fees rising and airlines cracking down on oversized cabin bags, opting for a backpack over a suitcase could save passengers money and plenty of stress on their next trip.