I took an easyJet flight - passengers must follow 2 hand luggage rules to avoid hefty fees
Budget airlines have cracked down in recent years on their hand luggage restrictions and easyJet is no exception.
Jetting off on my first flight in almost 10 years, I was excited, anxious and wary of all the rules passengers now had to make sure they followed before leaving the UK.
My easyJet flight to Bordeaux, France from Gatwick last month was relatively cheap so I was keen to keep costs low, especially when it came to my hand luggage.
As I was only going for a week, I didn't want to bother with hold luggage. Not only was this an added expense, but I didn't want to wait around to collect my bag when I arrived at my destination.
This meant that I had two options - stick with a small cabin bag that was included in the price or add a large cabin bag.
I decided to opt for the latter, knowing full well that I'd likely want to bring back some souvenirs and pack lots of summer dresses.
1. Make sure your small cabin bag fits easyJet's strict measurements
Many passengers choose to stick with the small cabin bag that is included in the price to save money.
However, like many budget airlines, there are strict rules passengers must follow to ensure their bags fit under the seat in front of them.
A small cabin bag on an easyJet flight is required to measure 45cm x 36cm x 20 cm and easyJet can fine upwards of £48 for oversized bags.
EasyJet is known for being strict with its hand luggage, particularly if a flight is busy.
Before boarding some flights, attendants have been known to measure hand luggage in a frame to ensure it measures up.
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If you bring an extra bag or your small cabin bag is too big, it may be put into the hold and you could be fined £48.
There's also a weight limit on small cabin bags. Hand luggage must not exceed 15kg and you must be able to lift and carry it yourself.
The easyJet site reads: "Everyone can bring one small underseat cabin bag per person on board for free.
"It can be a maximum size of 45 x 36 x 20cm (including any handles and wheels) and must be kept under the seat in front of you. That should be enough to bring all the essentials for your journey or for a short trip. Your bag can weigh up to 15kg, but we do ask that you’re able to lift and carry it yourself."
2. Don't get caught out by handles and wheels
Large cabin bags have a maximum size of 56 x 45 x 25cm which includes any handles and wheels.
The handles and wheels can add a couple of centimetres length onto most bags so it's imperative you include these in your measurements.
The price of adding a large cabin bag to your boarding pass will vary from flight to flight and gets more expensive closer to the time of your departure.
However, there is one benefit - passengers who book a large cabin bag get Speedy Boarding which is very handy.
The large cabin bag must fit in easyJet's baggage gauge and the overhead locker.
To ensure you don't get caught out, the week before your flight, grab a measuring tape and double-check the dimensions of your bags. I even went as far as weighing my bags to ensure I didn't get fined.
Purchasing bags online with easyJet is cheaper and will help you avoid paying bag fees at the airport. So, if you're unsure whether you need to add a bag to your ticket, it's best to do it before you get to the airport.
Luckily, finding hand luggage that's compliant with easyJet's rules is easier than ever with many companies and sellers now detailing the exact dimensions of their bags.