55cm x 40cm x 20cm - Cabin Luggage

Hand Luggage

In the past years, more and more restrictions have been imposed in the travelling system. All vehicles have an area especially for hand luggage storage during travelling.

Busses have special rules for luggage; passengers must handle them to the carriers before heading to their seats. Trains also have special places for storing the luggage like racks at the end of the hallways and next to the doors, or in case the train is compartmented above the passengers’ seat, sometimes also under their seat.   

When it comes to airplanes, things are even more complicated. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) established standard dimensions for the hand luggage and they are very strict about it: the maximum length should be 56 cm (22 inches), maximum width is 45 cm (18 inches) and maximum depth is 25 cm (10 inches). Whatever the combinations, the sum of these three sides should not exceed 115 cm (45 inches). Very important to know when measuring your hand luggage is that these dimensions include also the handles, wheels and other pockets or accessories.

Due to these strict rules it is highly important the type of luggage we decide on purchasing and the strategy we use when packing, so that everything fits into these standard dimensions, no matter the type of transportation we use.

Airlines have an entire history with loosing luggage and infinite lines at the check in department. This is the reason why travel specialists advice us to try to fit as many things as we possibly can into our hand luggage, if possible try to make this the only luggage we carry, of course depending on the type of trip we are taking. This way you will manage to travel faster, without dealing with the huge lines, and safer: there is no possibility of loosing your luggage and this way ruin your holiday. 

Different airlines have different rules regarding the dimensions of the hand luggage as following:

Austrian Airlines - hand luggage may not exceed 8 kg in weight or a maximum size of 55 cm x 40 cm x 23 cm

British Airways - one bag, 56 cm x 45 cm x 25 cm (22 in x 18 in x 10 in)

Easy Jet - one bag, 55 cm x 40 cm x 20 cm

Jet Airways - hand baggage dimensions vary according to the model of aircraft

Malaysian Airlines - one bag, total length 115 cm (56 cm x 36 cm x 23 cm) or 45 inches (22 in x 14 in x 9 in), not exceeding 5 kg

Virgin Atlantic - one bag, not larger than 23 cm x 36 cm x 56 cm (9 in x 14 in x 22 in) overall and should also not weigh more than 6 kg

The economy class restrictions as mentioned on their websites are following:

BMIbaby: 55cm x 40cm x 20cm

British Airways : 56cm x 45cm x 25cm

EasyJet : 55cm x 40cm x 20cm

Exel Airways : 56cm x 45cm x 25cm, weight 5kg.

First Choice Airways : 45cm x 35cm x 20cm, weight 5kg.

Flybe : 50cm x 35cm x 23cm, weight 10kg.

Monarch Airlines : 56cm x 45cm x 25cm, weight 10kg

MyTravel : 45cm x 35cm x 20cm

Ryanair: 55cm x 40cm x 20cm, weight 10kg.

Thomas Cook : 43cm x 28cm x 23cm, weight 5kg.

Thomsonfly : 55cm x 40cm x 20 cm, weight 10kg.

Virgin: 56cm x 36cm x 23cm, weight 6kg.

These are some of the most advisable hand luggage types:

Mandarina Duck ISI can fit anywhere and any luggage restrictions it is extremely lightweight, durable and has the aspect of a wheeled case. Price: £130
Size: 55cm x 20cm

Rimowa Bolero is made in Germany out of polycarbonate material; it is wheeled and has an extremely practical external zippered laptop pocket. Price: £290
Size: 54 x 38.3 x 19.5cm

Antler Bond Street is a lightweight trolley made out of woven twill material. It is best known due to its particularly smooth run and its long-term guarantee.
Price: £125
Size: 47cm x 34cm x 20xm

Delsey Morphos has a great external aspect; it comes with double compartments and racing style wheels.
Price: £299
Size: 53cm x 37cm x 25cm

Samsonite Xlite has the ability of fitting the most severe demands, it is durable and lightweight in the same time, as it is made out of composite panels and cowhide leather.
Price: £329
Size: 50cm x 35cm x 20cm