Update, September 2026: every airline below was checked against its own baggage page this month, and six figures have been corrected: WestJet’s and Allegiant’s cabin sizes, Allegiant’s checked weight, Gol’s cabin weight and Southwest’s bag fees. Three things a table cannot show. WestJet’s cheapest fare, UltraBasic, allows a personal item only and no cabin bag at all, except on Europe and Asia routes. AirAsia’s two bags share one 7 kg limit between them, which is what catches most people at the gate. And Southwest’s fees depend on when you booked: 35 and 45 dollars for bookings made before 9 April 2026, 45 and 55 after it. Airlines change these without notice, so check your own before you pack.
This article is for everyone who wants to compare the budget airlines and their baggage policies. You will find here the different rules on carry-on of the most known budget airlines, the sizes and more.
Travel smartly and frugally, so that you can save money!
If you are interested in how to travel frugally in general, like comparing airline tickets or saving money while travelling on land, check out my article Top websites to consider when travelling on a budget. Or, you can read about minimalism and think about how to take less baggage with you!
Wizz Air
You can bring a small cabin bag which measures 40x30x20cm, max 10kg, and has to fit under the seat. Wizz Priority enables you to bring a trolley which measures 55x40x23cm, max 10kg, and has to fit in the overhead compartment. Staff use bag sizers at the gate, and a bag that does not fit costs around 70 euros on the spot.
The checked-in bag can only be max. 149 x 119 x 171cm. The weight depends on the option: 10, 20, 26 or 32kg.
Allegiant
Every passenger can bring One Free Personal Item, measuring 8 x 14 x 18 inches (20 x 35 x 45 centimeters). There are no weight restrictions.
Furthermore, you can purchase One Carry-On Bag per passenger, measuring 10 x 16 x 22 inches (25 x 40 x 55 centimeters)
In addition, you can pre-purchase up to 4 Checked Bags per passenger. Each checked bag can weigh up to 50 pounds (22 kilos) and measure 80 linear inches (203 centimeters) in height + width + length.
Easyjet
All customers can bring on board One small cabin bag, measuring 45 x 36 x 20 cm (including any handles or wheels).
Customers who have paid to add a large cabin bag, hold easyJet Plus membership or booked an Inclusive Plus fare can also bring on board One additional large cabin bag, measuring 56 x 45 x 25 cm (including any handles or wheels). Buying it at the gate instead of online costs 60 pounds.
There is now a weight limit: each bag may weigh up to 15kg, and you have to be able to lift it into the locker yourself.
Gol
All passengers may travel with a carry-on bag weighing up to 12 kg (26 lbs), measuring 35 x 25 x 55 cm (13 x 9 x 21 in). Also, a personal item like a handbag, laptop, tablet or a bag with products purchased at a duty-free shop is allowed.
For the checked baggage, you have to probably pay it, unless you buy a more expensive ticket. The Maximum dimensions are 50 x 28 x 80 cm (20 x 11 x 31 in), up to 23 kg (51 lbs).
JetBlue
All fares include 1 personal item (purse, daypack, laptop bag) that fits under the seat in front of you and doesn’t exceed 17″ L (43.2 cm) x 13″ W (33 cm) x 8″ H (20.32 cm).
Every fare, Blue Basic included, now comes with one carry-on bag as well, up to 22″ L (55.9 cm) x 14″ W (35.6 cm) x 9″ H (22.9 cm). Until 2024 Blue Basic did not include one, which is why older guides say otherwise.
Checked bags are allowed up to 50 pounds (22.68 kg) and 62″ (157.48 cm) in overall dimensions (length + width + height)
Ryanair
Non-priority customers can only bring one small bag (40cm x 30cm x 20cm, enlarged in 2025 from the old 40 x 20 x 25), that must fit into the sizer and under the seat. There is no stated weight limit.
A larger cabin bag (55 x 40 x 20cm) with a maximum weight allowance of 10kg is only for priority boarding or you pay more.
Checked bags are sold in three weights: 10kg, 20kg (up to three per passenger) and 23kg (one per passenger).
Southwest Airlines
Carryon bag dimensions are limited to 24 x 16 x 10 inches, wheels and handles included. Your personal item must be stored under the seat in front of you; Southwest no longer publishes a size for it beyond “it has to fit”.
There are no weight restrictions for cabin bags. The big change: since 28 May 2025 Southwest charges for checked bags, from 45 dollars for the first one, so “bags fly free” is over.
AirAsia
You can carry one (1) cabin bag with max. 56cm (H) x 36cm (W) x 23cm (D) or max. linear 115cm and must fit in the overhead storage compartment in the aircraft cabin, AND one (1) laptop bag or one (1) small bag with max. 40cm (H) x 30cm (W) x 10cm (D) or max. linear 80cm and must fit under the seat in front of you.
Norwegian
There are three tiers. The first one, LowFare, allows an underseat bag measuring 30 x 40 x 20cm with max. 10kg, plus one airport shopping bag.
Secondly, there is LowFare+ which allows an overhead cabin bag (55 x 40 x 23cm), BUT Your underseat bag + overhead cabin bag have a combined weight limit of 10 kg.
Finally, you can buy Flex, which allows a combined weight limit of 15 kg.
Westjet
You can bring one free piece of carry-on baggage and one personal item.
The Carry-on baggage can measure 56 cm x 36 cm x 23 cm (22 in. x 14 in. x 9 in.), while the Personal item measures 41 cm x 33 cm x 15 cm (16 in. x 13 in. x 6 in.)
World’s Best Low-Cost Airlines
Finally, if you want to know the best low-cost airlines, you can check out this article. In fact, it also has a list of all the ‘normal’ airlines and more. Interestingly, AirAsia holds the first spot for the budget airlines.
Well, until next time and happy saving.
Read next: Minimalist packing list · Top websites for budget travel · All Travel frugally guides