If you’re jetting off abroad for a three-day stag do, you don’t want to be faffing about with a suitcase.
There’s the cost involved. There’s the effort of lugging it about. Plus, all the boys will be in the airport bar before you’ve even checked your bag in.
And whilst you might think you only need your wallet, a charger and a toothbrush, your partner will insist you take a change of clothes because apparently ‘it’s disgusting to wear the same outfit the whole time’ and apparently ‘you have terrible BO after a flight’.
Clean freak.
But don’t get caught out, fella.
Each airline has its own rules and regulations when it comes to hand luggage, and we don’t want you to get stung just as you’re about to board the plane.
Scroll on for the hand luggage rules for 2024 for EasyJet, Ryanair, Jet 2 and more.
Who Are You Flying With?
Flight Advice…
EasyJet
- Each person can bring one small cabin bag for free.
- Maximum size of 45 x 36 x 20 cm.
- Needs to fit under the seat in front of you.
- Maximum weight of 15kg.
- Liquid containers of 100ml or less in a transparent bag.
- Ban on sharp/dangerous objects.
- Option to add a large cabin bag (max 56 x 45 x 25 cm) – charges apply
EasyJet offers generous hand luggage allocation, allowing you to pack more than a lot of airlines (so you’ll have more room for the groom’s surprise fancy dress outfit).
However, in the situation that your bag exceeds these limits, you will be forced to put it in the hold and will be charged the airport bag fee, so be careful!
Find out more about EasyJet’s hand luggage rules and don’t get caught out.
Ryanair
- All passengers can bring one small bag for free.
- Maximum size of 40 x 20 x 25 cm.
- Needs to fit under the seat in front of you.
- No maximum weight allowance.
- Liquid containers of 100ml or less in a transparent bag.
- Ban on sharp/dangerous objects.
- Option to add a large 10kg bag (max 55 x 40 x 20 cm) – charges apply
Just like other airlines, if you exceed Ryanair’s limits, you’ll have to be charged to place the bag in the hold.
Be sure to check the measurements before you leave to save any embarrassment in front of the guys.
Find out more about Ryanair’s hand luggage rules and don’t get caught out.
Jet2
- All passengers can bring one small bag for free.
- Maximum size is 56 x 45 x 25 cm.
- Maximum weight of 10kg.
- Liquid containers of 100ml or less in a transparent bag.
- Ban on sharp/dangerous objects.
- You can also bring a small item on board (laptop bag or airport).
Jet2 are giving you a fair amount of space, which means more room for those outrageous Hawaiian shirts and speedos!
The airline has said that if your hand luggage weighs more or is larger than its limits, you may need to pay additional fees to check into the aircraft hold.
Find out more about Jet2’s hand luggage rules and don’t get caught out.
TUI
- All passengers can bring one small bag for free.
- Maximum size of 55 x 40 x 20 cm.
- Must be able to fit into the overhead storage unit.
- Maximum weight of 10kg.
- Liquid containers of 100ml or less in a transparent bag.
- Ban on sharp/dangerous objects.
- You can also bring a small item on board (laptop bag or airport).
TUI has made it clear that any hand luggage over the size or 10kg limit will face charges on the spot (sounds pretty menacing!).
However, they’re giving you a decent amount of room, so you shouldn’t have any trouble.
A benefit of flying with TUI is the allowance of a second free piece of hand luggage such as a small bag that will fit under the seat in front of you.
Find out more about TUI’s hand luggage rules and don’t get caught out.
Lufthansa
- All passengers can bring one small bag for free.
- Maximum size of 55 x 40 x 23 cm.
- Must be able to fit into the overhead storage unit or under the seat in front of you.
- Maximum weight of 8kg.
- Liquid containers of 100ml or less in a transparent bag.
- Ban on sharp/dangerous objects.
- You can also bring a small item on board (laptop bag).
- If you’re flying on business/first class you are allocated 2 bags of 8kg weight.
As with the other airlines, extra charges will apply if you exceed the size or 8kg weight limits (not ideal), but it’s a pretty good amount of room to pack all your essentials.
Lufthansa allows a free second small bag, so you can pack your laptop if you feel the need – but there should be no working on a stag do, pal!
Find out more about Lufthansa’s hand luggage rules and don’t get caught out.
AER Lingus
- All passengers must pay £9.99 to carry on one small bag.
- Maximum size of 55 x 40 x 24 cm.
- Must be able to fit in the overhead storage unit.
- Maximum weight of 10kg.
- Liquid containers of 100ml or less in a transparent bag.
- Ban on sharp/dangerous objects.
- You can also bring a small item on board (laptop bag).
- Option to check-in hand luggage free of charge and collect on arrival at the carousel.
This airline charges £9.99 for hand luggage and will charge an excess if you exceed the size or 10kg weight limit (bit harsh, if you ask us!).
On the bright side, there’s plenty of room and weight allowance, so you might find it difficult to go over the limit anyway.
A small bag for electronic items or other smaller items is free for each customer (at least one of them is free).
Find out more about Aer Lingus’ hand luggage rules and don’t get caught out.
British Airways
- All passengers can bring one small bag for free.
- Maximum size of 56 x 45 x 25 cm.
- Must be able to fit in the overhead storage unit.
- Maximum weight of 23kg.
- Liquid containers of 100ml or less in a transparent bag.
- Ban on sharp/dangerous objects.
- You can also bring a small item on board (laptop bag)
British Airways are generous with hand luggage.
Up to 23kg in weight limit absolutely trumps any other airline on this list.
If you somehow exceed this, which you probably won’t, then extra charges could be applied and you’ll have to check it in.
On top of this, you’re allowed one free small bag for items such as laptop bags.
Find out more about British Airways’ hand luggage rules and don’t get caught out.
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
- All passengers can bring one small bag for free.
- Maximum size of 55 x 35 x 25 cm.
- Must be able to fit in the overhead storage unit.
- Maximum combined weight of 12kg across hand luggage and small bag (laptop).
- Liquid containers of 100ml or less in a transparent bag.
- Ban on sharp/dangerous objects.
- You can also bring a small item on board (laptop bag).
- Business class allows a combined weight of 18kg.
Now that’s decent hand luggage allocation.
Probably one of the best on this list – you’ve got up to 12 kg, so you’ll have enough room to pack a fresh outfit for each night.
Unfortunately, the secondary smaller bag for items such as laptops counts towards the weight limit, so pack wisely.
Find out more about KML Royal Dutch Airlines’ hand luggage rules and don’t get caught out.
Potential Liquid Hand Luggage Rule Change
As of 2024, major airlines and airports are seeking to remove the 100ml liquid limit.
So, do you know what that means?
- No need for those transparent plastic bags.
- No need to empty your expensive aftershave into a small spray bottle.
- No need to stock up on loads of mini bottles of shampoo.
What a relief.
However, at the time of writing, the ban is yet to be lifted, so make sure you keep an eye out and check the latest information before you pack and jet off.
Read more about the liquid hand luggage rule and stay up to speed with the latest info.
How To Book Flights For A Stag Do
Booking flights for the stag can be stressful – particularly if a lot of the guys are struggling to commit.
Don’t worry, though! We’ve been planning stag weekends on the continent since way back in 2002 and have learnt a load of handy tips for booking your flights for a stag do in that time.
From booking yours and the groom’s first to booking early for the best deals, hit that link to find out our top tips.
Need Help Planning the Stag?
If you still need help planning the stag, you’ve come to the right place.
Here at StagWeb, we’ve been helping party legends like yourself plan big weekends in the UK and abroad for over 20 years.
And what we don’t know about stag parties ain’t worth knowing.
Hand a browse and send us your free stag enquiry today, and we’ll get to work building that legendary weekend away.
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