What is the difference between easyJet's cabin bag and hold bag?

A cabin bag travels with you in the aircraft — either under the seat (small bag, 45×36×20 cm) or in the overhead bin (large cabin bag, 56×45×25 cm). A hold bag is checked into the aircraft hold and collected at baggage claim on arrival.

Which easyJet fares include the large overhead cabin bag?

easyJet Standard and FLEXI fares include the large cabin bag (56×45×25 cm) in the overhead bin. easyJet Plus cardholders also get it on any fare. The cheapest fares only include the small under-seat bag.

Does easyJet have a weight limit on cabin bags?

No. easyJet does not publish a weight limit for cabin bags — either the small under-seat bag or the large overhead bag. You are only constrained by size.

How much does a hold bag cost on easyJet?

easyJet hold bag fees start from around £12–25 for a 15 kg bag on short routes if booked in advance, rising to £25–50 or more for 23 kg bags and peak routes. Buying at the airport is significantly more expensive.

What is easyJet Plus and is it worth it?

easyJet Plus is an annual membership (around £199–£225 per year) that includes the large cabin bag on all fares, speedy boarding, and dedicated bag drop. For frequent easyJet flyers it can pay for itself in two to four return flights.

easyJet Hold Bag vs Cabin Bag: What's the Difference?

easyJet's terminology around bags is genuinely confusing to first-time passengers — partly because the airline uses "cabin bag" to refer to two different things, and partly because the allowances differ by fare, seat type, and membership status. This guide explains each bag type clearly so you know exactly what you're entitled to before you reach the airport.

The Three Types of easyJet Bags

easyJet bags fall into three categories:

Small cabin bag — goes under the seat, free for every passenger on every fare
Large cabin bag — goes in the overhead bin, included with certain fares and memberships
Hold bag — checked into the aircraft hold, purchased as an add-on

1. Small Cabin Bag (Under-Seat)

Every easyJet passenger on every fare can bring one small bag:

Maximum size: 45 × 36 × 20 cm
Placement: Under the seat in front of you
Weight: No limit
Cost: Free on all fares

The 45 × 36 × 20 cm dimensions are notably generous for a budget carrier — larger than Ryanair's free under-seat bag (40 × 20 × 25 cm). A 20–25L backpack, a structured tote, or a medium-sized laptop bag typically fits within these dimensions.

2. Large Cabin Bag (Overhead Bin)

The large cabin bag is easyJet's equivalent of what most airlines simply call a carry-on:

Maximum size: 56 × 45 × 25 cm (including wheels, handles, and pockets)
Placement: Overhead bin
Weight: No limit
Cost: Included with Standard and FLEXI fares, or with easyJet Plus membership; can be added to cheaper fares as a paid add-on

easyJet's large cabin bag is one of the biggest overhead allowances among European budget carriers. At 56 × 45 × 25 cm, it matches British Airways' allowance — a full-service carrier — and significantly exceeds Ryanair's Priority carry-on (55 × 40 × 20 cm).

3. Hold Bag (Checked Luggage)

A hold bag is any luggage checked into the aircraft hold at bag drop:

Weight options: 15 kg, 23 kg, or 26 kg
Placement: Aircraft hold; collected at baggage claim on arrival
Cost: Starts from approximately £12–25 for 15 kg on short routes booked early; rises substantially for heavier bags, longer routes, and later purchases

Hold bags are entirely separate from cabin bag allowances — buying a hold bag does not affect what you can bring in the cabin.

Who Gets the Large Cabin Bag?

The large overhead bin bag is included for:

Passenger type	Large cabin bag included?
Standard fare passenger (cheapest)	No — small under-seat bag only
Standard fare with upfront seat	Yes
Standard fare with extra legroom seat	Yes
Standard fare + cabin bag add-on	Yes (paid)
easyJet Standard fare (new name for mid tier)	Yes
FLEXI fare	Yes
easyJet Plus cardholder (any fare)	Yes

The practical tip: if you're on easyJet's cheapest fare but need overhead bin space, the cheapest route to getting it is often selecting an upfront or extra legroom seat — which frequently costs only a few pounds more than a standard middle seat but includes the large cabin bag as part of the seat benefit.

The easyJet Plus Membership

easyJet Plus is an annual card that provides cabin bag access on any fare, on any easyJet flight, without upgrading the fare itself:

Annual cost: approximately £199–£225 (prices vary by country)
Cabin bag benefit: large 56 × 45 × 25 cm bag on all fares
Additional benefits: speedy boarding, dedicated security lane at select airports, reserved overhead bin access, flexible 28-day flight changes

For passengers who fly easyJet four or more times per year and would otherwise buy cabin bag add-ons, the membership typically pays for itself. A cabin bag add-on typically costs £8–25 per flight — at four flights per year, you'd spend £32–100 on cabin bags alone.

easyJet Plus also guarantees overhead bin space through reserved boarding, which is practically valuable on busy routes where bins fill before the cabin finishes boarding.

Comparing Cabin Bag and Hold Bag Costs

A common decision point for easyJet travellers is whether to pack into the cabin bag or add a hold bag for a longer trip:

Option	Typical cost	Best for
Small cabin bag only	Free	Short trips, minimalist packing
Cabin bag add-on (large)	£8–25 per flight	Trips needing more than the free bag
Hold bag 15 kg	£12–25 per flight (advance)	Trips with more than carry-on luggage
Hold bag 23 kg	£20–50 per flight (advance)	Beach holidays, ski trips, family travel

For a one-week trip with a family, a hold bag per person often becomes cheaper than adding cabin bags for everyone — especially when bought at the time of booking.

What "Up Front" Means for Carry-On Access

easyJet's "upfront" seats are the rows at the front of the aircraft (typically rows 1–6). These seats:

Cost more than standard seats
Include the large 56 × 45 × 25 cm overhead cabin bag
Come with priority boarding, ensuring overhead space above or near your seat is available

If you're on a long easyJet flight (London to Athens, for example) and want guaranteed overhead bin space, an upfront seat is the highest-confidence option. You board early, the front overhead bins are still empty, and your 56 × 45 × 25 cm bag goes directly above your seat.

Enforcement: What Happens If Your Bag Is Wrong

easyJet uses physical bag sizers at most UK and European airports. The process:

Small bag sizer: confirms the 45 × 36 × 20 cm under-seat dimension
Large cabin bag sizer: confirms the 56 × 45 × 25 cm overhead dimension

If you only have the small bag allowance (no upfront seat, no easyJet Plus, no FLEXI fare) and bring a large cabin bag, you will be charged a gate fee. Gate fees on easyJet are typically £48 or more per bag — significantly more expensive than buying the add-on in advance.

The lesson: buy the cabin bag add-on before you get to the airport if you know you need it.

The Bottom Line

easyJet's bag structure has three clear layers — free small bag for everyone, large cabin bag for those with the right fare or membership, and hold bags for anything beyond. The terminology sounds complex, but the decision tree is straightforward: if your trip needs more than a 45 × 36 × 20 cm under-seat bag, either upgrade to a fare that includes the large cabin bag, select an upfront or extra legroom seat, or buy the cabin bag add-on during booking. Never arrive at the gate without the right allowance — gate fees make the add-on look cheap in comparison.

Use the CarrySizer bag fit checker to confirm your bag meets easyJet's size requirements for whichever allowance you have.