Norwegian Air Carry-On Rules: LowFare vs Flex (2026)

Norwegian Air Shuttle is one of Europe's most interesting low-cost carriers for carry-on travelers — not because it is the most generous, but because it is one of the few European budget airlines with no officially published carry-on weight limit. In a region where Ryanair, Wizz Air, and easyJet all enforce 10–15 kg caps, Norwegian's policy stands out. Here's what that means in practice, and how the fare tiers stack up.

Fare Tiers and What's Included

Norwegian sells tickets under several fare families. Carry-on and baggage inclusions vary by fare.

LowFare

Norwegian's base fare includes:

• One carry-on bag — up to 55 × 40 × 23 cm — in the overhead bin
• One personal item — under the seat
• No checked baggage (must be purchased separately)

This is notably more generous than Ryanair's equivalent base fare, where non-Priority passengers get only a small personal bag. Norwegian's LowFare includes full overhead bin access from the start — no priority boarding or add-on required.

LowFare+

Adds to LowFare:

• Everything in LowFare
• One checked bag — 20 kg included
• Seat selection included

Flex

Norwegian's most flexible fare:

• Everything in LowFare+
• Free changes (no change fee)
• Refundable ticket
• Priority boarding on select routes

Size at a Glance

Bag Type	Dimensions	Where
Carry-on (all fares)	55 × 40 × 23 cm	Overhead bin
Personal item	Must fit under seat (~40 × 30 × 15 cm)	Under seat
Checked bag (LowFare+/Flex)	Up to 20 kg, 190 cm linear	Hold

No Official Weight Limit: What This Actually Means

Norwegian Air is one of the few European carriers — and certainly one of the few budget carriers — that does not publish a carry-on weight limit. This is in contrast to:

• Ryanair: 10 kg combined (with Priority)
• easyJet: 15 kg (with hand baggage add-on)
• Wizz Air: 10 kg (WIZZ Priority)
• Vueling: 10 kg

The absence of a published limit is unusual, but it does not mean unlimited weight is accepted:

1. You must be able to lift the bag overhead unassisted. Crew are not required to help and may decline to assist with very heavy bags.
2. Practical enforcement at crew discretion. Cabin crew can refuse a bag that poses a safety risk due to weight, though this is uncommon on Norwegian flights.
3. Airport security weight rules: Some airports, particularly Scandinavian ones, have their own security procedures that involve bag checks.

For most travelers, "no published weight limit" means you can carry a realistically packed 55 × 40 × 23 cm bag without worrying about hitting a 7 or 8 kg threshold. A standard packed carry-on of 8–12 kg is unlikely to be challenged on Norwegian.

How Norwegian Compares to Other European LCCs

Airline	Carry-On Included (Base Fare)	Weight Limit
Norwegian	Yes (overhead bin)	None published
Wizz Air	No (small under-seat only)	10 kg with Priority
Ryanair	No (small bag only)	10 kg with Priority
easyJet	No (under-seat personal bag)	15 kg with hand baggage
Jet2	Yes	22 kg

Norwegian's overhead carry-on inclusion in the base fare puts it in a more generous position than Ryanair or Wizz Air for passengers who need full carry-on access. The practical carry-on experience on Norwegian is closer to a full-service carrier than a typical budget airline.

CashPoints: Norwegian's Loyalty Program

Norwegian's loyalty program operates through CashPoints — a cashback-style system where points earned on purchases translate directly into monetary discounts on future bookings.

• CashPoints are earned at 2% of ticket purchase value for registered members
• Points can be spent on flights, seat upgrades, and baggage add-ons
• There is no tiered status system — CashPoints are the same for all members

Unlike traditional miles programs, CashPoints do not provide carry-on perks or priority boarding based on tier. Points are simply a discount mechanism.

Routes and Aircraft

Norwegian operates primarily on European routes from its Scandinavian bases (Oslo Gardermoen, Stockholm Arlanda, Copenhagen), UK routes from Gatwick and Manchester, and has operated transatlantic routes historically.

Aircraft types and bin space:

• Boeing 737-800 / 737 MAX 8: standard narrowbody overhead bins; 55 × 40 × 23 cm fits comfortably
• Airbus A320neo (some routes): similar bin space to 737
• Norwegian does not operate regional turboprops — all jets have full overhead bins

Enforcement in Practice

Norwegian's carry-on enforcement is moderate compared to Ryanair:

• No gate fee system as aggressive as Ryanair's €50–80 penalty
• Gate sizers are not consistently present at Norwegian gates
• Weight checks are uncommon given the absence of a published limit
• Bags too large for the overhead bin may be asked to be checked, but this is handled at crew discretion

Busy routes (London Gatwick routes, Oslo-Barcelona, etc.) on fully loaded aircraft may see more active bin management. Bags that are obviously oversized — significantly larger than 55 × 40 × 23 cm — are more likely to be flagged.

Tips for Flying Norwegian

Don't assume you need an add-on for your carry-on. Unlike Ryanair and Wizz Air, Norwegian's base LowFare fare includes overhead carry-on access. You do not need to purchase Priority or a bag add-on to use the overhead bin.

Use the no-weight-limit policy wisely. Pack 10–12 kg in your carry-on if needed — Norwegian won't weigh it at the gate. But remember you still need to lift it overhead yourself.

Size check at home. The 55 × 40 × 23 cm limit is firm on the size. Bags significantly over these dimensions — particularly those above 60 cm in length — are more likely to be flagged.

Check for seat sale fares. Norwegian frequently discounts Flex and LowFare+ fares in sales. The jump from LowFare to LowFare+ (adding a 20 kg checked bag and seat selection) is often just €15–25 on shorter routes.

Seat selection is separate. Norwegian charges for seat assignment on LowFare. If you want to secure overhead bin space near your seat, choose a seat in an earlier boarding zone — seat maps show zone designations.

The Bottom Line

Norwegian Air's carry-on policy is one of the most traveler-friendly among European budget carriers: overhead carry-on included in the base fare, and no published weight limit. This sets it apart from Ryanair and Wizz Air, where overhead access costs extra. The size limit (55 × 40 × 23 cm) is standard, and the absence of a weight limit means less gate anxiety. If you're choosing between European LCCs for a carry-on-only trip, Norwegian's policy removes one layer of complication from the equation.