Not all Aer Lingus fares include the same hand luggage allowance. From size and weight limits to route-specific rules, here’s everything you need to know before you pack.
- Hand luggage: 55 x 40 x 24 cm (21.5 x 15.5 x 9.5 in)
- Personal item: 40 x 30 x 20 cm (15.5 x 11.5 x 8 in)
- European Saver: Personal item included; 10 kg hand luggage available for an additional fee
- European Plus, Advantage and AerSpace: Personal item and 10 kg hand luggage included
- Transatlantic fares: Personal item and 10 kg hand luggage included on all fare types. Aer Lingus hand luggage size policies explained
In this article
- Aer Lingus hand luggage size policies explained.
- What extra items can you bring on board?
- Aer Lingus hand luggage FAQs.
- Expert tips for maximising Aer Lingus’ hand luggage allowance
Aer Lingus hand luggage size policies explained.
According to their luggage guidelines, Aer Lingus allows each traveller to bring 1 small personal item such as a small bag, laptop bag, small handbag, or briefcase on all flights.
Hand luggage is included free of charge on transatlantic flights. On European and regional flights, whether a cabin bag is included depends on your fare type.
The Aer Lingus hand luggage weight limit will also depend on your flight type. On regional, European, and transatlantic flights, a cabin bag should not weigh more than 10 kg (22 lb), but your personal item doesn’t factor into that.
Cabin bag allowance by route.
- European Saver: Personal item only. Add a 10 kg cabin bag for a fee.
- European Plus, Advantage and AerSpace: 10 kg cabin bag included.
- Transatlantic flights: 10 kg cabin bag included on all fares.
What extra items can you bring on board?
The following additional items are allowed on board Aer Lingus flights:
- A collapsible pushchair plus a car seat, travel cot, or booster seat.
- Medical equipment such as a foldable wheelchair or mobility aid.
- Smaller musical instruments that meet the Aer Lingus hand luggage size requirements for regional or other flights. You can purchase an extra window seat if your instrument is larger than required. The weight of the instrument, including its case, shouldn’t exceed 75 kg (165 lbs)
- Urn carrying ashes. You should store it safely in a cushioned, leakproof container not made of metal.
All hand luggage for infants (children below 2 years of age) must be included in the baggage allowance of the accompanying adult. It will be listed as a ‘cabin bag with priority boarding’. Children aged 2-12 have the same hand luggage allowance as adults.
Aer Lingus hand luggage FAQs.
Hand luggage policies can be tricky to decipher. Find answers to the most commonly asked questions below.
Aer Lingus enforces its cabin bag size limits and may use bag sizers at the gate to check compliance. If your bag exceeds the allowed dimensions, it may be checked into the hold and additional baggage fees may apply.
Note: The maximum cabin bag size of 55 x 40 x 24 cm ((21.5 x 15.5 x 9.5 in) includes wheels, handles and any external pockets.
The free baggage allowance on Aer Lingus applies to 1 small personal item on all flights, with varied regulations for cabin bags. Be sure to double-check the specifics of your flight and fare type to determine your cabin bag allowance, as these regulations have recently changed.
Yes. Aer Lingus enforces its hand luggage policy, and you’re likely to pay additional fees if your cabin bag doesn’t meet the right size and weight requirements.
Yes. If your fare includes a cabin bag allowance, you can bring both a rucksack and a cabin bag.
Your rucksack counts as a personal item and must fit under the seat in front of you. The maximum size is 40 x 30 x 20 cm (15.5 x 11.5 x 8 in).
Your cabin bag must not exceed 55 x 40 x 24 cm (21.5 x 15.5 x 9.5 in) and can weigh up to 10 kg (22 lbs).
European Saver fares include only a personal item. To bring a cabin bag, you'll need to purchase a 10 kg cabin bag allowance separately.
It depends on your fare and route. On European flights, Saver passengers can check a 10 kg bag free of charge at check-in or a bag drop kiosk, or pay from €9.99/£9.99 to bring it into the cabin.
Passengers travelling on Plus, Advantage or AerSpace fares already have a 10 kg cabin bag included, as do eligible AerClub members. If your fare includes a cabin bag, you must take it onboard rather than check it at check-in.
Expert tips for maximising Aer Lingus’ hand luggage allowance
from travel expert Lily Cichanowicz
1. Pack light.
Make the most of your cabin bag space by packing only the essentials and using space-saving techniques such as rolling your clothes.
Before you pack, review your reservation and confirm the baggage allowance for your fare type and route. Knowing what’s included can help you avoid unexpected fees at the airport.
2. Become an AerClub member.
AerClub members may receive additional baggage benefits, depending on their membership tier. If you’re an AerClub member, review your current benefits before you travel to see whether a 10 kg cabin bag is included with your booking.
3. Choose the right bag.
Look for a lightweight bag that fits within Aer Lingus’s maximum cabin bag dimensions of 55 x 40 x 24 cm (21.5 x 15.5 x 9.5 in), including wheels and handles. Soft-sided bags can be easier to fit into overhead bins and may offer a little more flexibility than hard-shell luggage when space is limited.
Still have questions about Aer Lingus’s hand luggage size?
Luggage policies can be confusing. For an easy way to compare hand luggage rules across airlines, check out our hand luggage guide.
