The size of the cabin suitcase : what a mess, isn’t it? Not only are we limited in the things we are allowed to take on the plane, but we also have to respect very strict cabin suitcase dimensions which, in order not to simplify things, vary totally from one company to the other. Welcome to the size and weight jungle!
How many cabin baggage can you take?
The answer is easy… only one! You are only allowed to take one item of hand luggage with you into the aircraft cabin. Yes, but… some airlines also allow an accessory, such as a handbag, laptop sleeve or camera bag. But beware, lowcost companies (such as Easyjet, Ryanair, Pegasus, etc.) are highly regulated! Only one carry-on bag, that’s all, we don’t argue… You have to put everything in this travel bag and nothing else will be accepted. Obviously, otherwise it would be too easy, the size of the suitcase must respect strict dimensions and maximum weight!
Dimensions of the cabin suitcase
How big should cabin baggage be?
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has standardized the dimensions of cabin baggage for the plane at a maximum size of 55 x 35 x 20 cm including handle and wheels, i.e. a cumulative total of 110 cm when you add the length, width and height of the luggage. But these dimensions are not validated by all the airlines which prefer to set their own restrictions. Indeed, taxing the extra weight and size of the suitcase at a high price is a very lucrative market that brings in a lot of money for companies…
Below is a summary of cabin bag dimensions and weights allowed on most airlines. Please note that these standards are subject to regular changes, do not forget to consult the website of the airline you are traveling with before your departure!
| Airlines | Max Dimensions | Max Weight |
 | 55 x 40 x 20 cm | 10 kg |
 | 55 x 40 x 20 cm | 10 kg |
 | 55 x 40 x 20 cm | 10 kg |
 | 55 x 40 x 23 cm | 8 kg |
 | 55 x 40 x 23 cm | 10 kg |
 | 55 x 40 x 20 cm | 5 kg |
 | 55 x 35 x 25 cm | 8 kg |
 | 55 x 35 x 25 cm | 12 kg |
 | 55 x 35 x 25 cm | 8 kg |
 | 115 cm cumulés | 8 kg |
 | 55 x 40 x 20 cm | 10 kg |
 | 115 cm cumulés | 7 kg |
 | 56 x 36 x 23 cm | 10 kg |
 | 51 x 40 x 23 cm | 10 kg |
 | 55 x 35 x 25 cm | 8 kg |
 | 55 x 40 x 25 cm | 10 kg |
 | 56 x 36 x 23 cm | pas de limite |
 | 115 cm cumulés | 10 kg |
 | 55 x 40 x 20 cm | 5 kg |
 | 56 x 45 x 25 cm | 7 kg |
 | 55 x 40 x 23 cm | 6 kg |
 | 55 x 40 x 20 cm | 10 kg |
 | 56 x 36 x 23 cm | 7 kg |
 | 55 x 40 x 20 cm | 5 kg |
 | 115 cm cumulés | 5 kg |
 | 45 x 35 x 25 cm | 5 kg |
 | 55 x 40 x 20 cm | 8 kg |
 | 115 cm cumulés | 5 kg |
 | 56 x 35 x 23 cm | pas de limite |
 | 45 x 36 x 20 cm | pas de limite |
 | 58 x 45 x 25 cm | 8 kg |
 | 55 x 38 x 20 cm | 7 kg |
 | 115 cm cumulés | 7 kg |
 | 50 x 40 x 21 cm | 7 kg |
 | 56 x 45 x 25 cm | 8 kg |
 | 55 x 40 x 20 cm | 8 kg |
 | 56 x 45 x 25 cm | pas de limite |
 | 115 cm cumulés | 10 kg |
 | 56 x 45 x 25 cm | 7 kg |
 | 55 x 40 x 25 cm | 10 kg |
 | 55 x 38 x 20 cm | 10 kg |
 | 55 x 35 x 25 cm | 12 kg |
 | 55 x 40 x 20 cm | 12 kg |
 | 56 x 36 x 23 cm | 7 kg |
 | 55 x 40 x 23 cm | 8 kg |
 | 55 x 40 x 23 cm | 8 kg |
 | 55 x 35 x 16 cm | 7 kg |
 | 56 x 36 x 23 cm | 7 kg |
 | 115 cm cumulés | 7 kg |
 | 55 x 40 x 20 cm | 8 kg |
 | 56 x 36 x 23 cm | 7 kg |
 | 50 x 37 x 25 cm | 7 kg |
 | 115 cm cumulés | 10 kg |
 | 51 x 41 x 23 cm | 7 kg |
 | 55 x 40 x 20 cm | 10 kg |
 | 56 x 45 x 25 cm | 7 kg |
 | 55 x 40 x 23 cm | 8 kg |
 | 55 x 40 x 20 cm | 7 kg |
 | 46 x 36 x 20 cm | 7 kg |
 | 55 x 40 x 23 cm | 8 kg |
 | 55 x 40 x 20 cm | 8 kg |
 | 56 x 45 x 25 cm | 7 kg |
 | 55 x 40 x 25 cm | 8 kg |
 | 55 x 40 x 23 cm | 8 kg |
 | 56 x 35 x 22 cm | pas de limite |
 | 56 x 45 x 25 cm | 10 kg |
 | 56 x 36 x 23 cm | 7 kg |
Traveling with a small rigid suitcase is also a matter of common sense, the compartments above the seats in the plane are not very large and if the size of your hand luggage should exceed the dimensions of the storage space , the team on board would have to find a temporary storage solution for your bulky luggage. If it’s just one piece of luggage that exceeds the standard cabin size, it’s not too bad, but imagine that dozens of people do like you… the plane would become a jungle and safety during the flight would be compromised !
The size of the cabin suitcase is also important to be able to cram them as much as possible into the compartments above your heads or under the seats. The best is to opt for a trolley case that moves easily in all directions thanks to the 4 removable wheels.
Weight of the cabin suitcase
Another crucial point is the weight of the cabin suitcase! If some companies, like Easyjet, let you take whatever you want as long as it fits in the dimensions they have determined, most airlines have a maximum weight limit. These standards are also listed in the table above, in the “cabin case dimensions” section.
Often an alternative way of indicating how much weight a suitcase can carry is to write down the potential volume the luggage could hold. In general, carry-on suitcases are between 35 and 45 litres. This value indicates the quantity of liquid (in particular water where one liter is equivalent to one kg) that you could put inside the luggage. So you could put up to 35-45kgs of water! It is indeed not very logical as a way of seeing things… Because already we are not allowed to take liquids on the plane, so why measuring by volume? And secondly, the vast majority of cabin suitcases are limited to around twenty kgs, so even if you wanted to put 45kgs of stones, you would not be allowed (except in Easyjet baggage).
A question that often comes up: what size suitcase for 23kg?
The answer is simple, it all depends on what those 23 kgs include… If you only want to carry dumbbells (why not, everyone takes what they want with them when they travel) clearly a cabin size suitcase will be sufficient! On the other hand, if you want to take cushions for the whole family (sleeping well where you go might be primary), you will need a larger volume and therefore a suitcase of hold size will be ideal. So the 23kg suitcase will vary in size depending on the things you want to pack for your vacation!
Standards and prohibited items inside hand luggage
The measurements of the cabin suitcase and the weight being discussed, let’s come to what we really have the right or rather not the right to take with us on the plane.
There was a time when you could take just about anything you wanted… liquids, make-up, Swiss army knife, batteries, lighter (yes yes you could smoke on the plane!)… But cabin baggage rules have changed, much changed since.
Here’s what you’re not allowed to bring :
- Liquid and cosmetic product of more than 100ml each (perfume, toothpaste, shower gel, foundation, drink). In addition, anything below 100ml must be put in a plastic bag and taken out of the luggage during the check.
- Firearm or bladed weapon (really?) and also any sharp object (scissors, razor, Swiss army knife…).
- Battery (powerbanks are allowed)
- Lighter, match, fireworks (you wouldn’t like the plane to become a giant spectacle, would you?)
- Chemical products
- Hoverboards are also prohibited.
If you don’t know what to take with you, check out our lists of things to put in your suitcase.
Additional deductibles if you exceed the authorized size and weight
Ouch, this is going to hurt! Very bad ! Why did you had the idea of going over the allowed height and weight? The cabin suitcase standards are very strict on all companies, it is better not to joke otherwise your wallet will cry…
In general, surpluses are taxed between 50 and 100 CHF but the price will depend on the airline. You can always try to play nice, but it’s better to abandon a few things or possibly put them in the hold case, if you’ve been wiser on that side. Or you can always try to put more clothes on you (yes yes in the middle of summer it’s always great to have three sweaters).
The rules for cabin suitcases are getting stricter and stricter. It is better to inform yourself well before your departure to make the most of your holidays and avoid any unnecessary clashes!
