Turning up at the airport with a bag that’s too big or too heavy can cost you quite a bit, depending on what the airline’s policy is and each air carrier is different
Manchester, UK – October 04, 2025: Bright Ryanair signage guides passengers in a Manchester airport setting with planes visible outside.
As the January gloom continues and the warm afterglow of a merry Christmas feels further and further away, booking a holiday is at the forefront of people’s minds as an antidote to the winter blues.
Booking holidays in January for the rest of the year can get you some good deals, but it is important to take note of the hand luggage rules for certain airlines to avoid getting caught out by any fines when boarding. Turning up at the airport with a bag that’s too big or too heavy can cost you, depending on what the airline’s policy is.
You should also know what you can and can’t bring with you in hand luggage, to ensure you pack properly. Travellers may choose to pack everything into their hand luggage to save money on checking in baggage.
Liquid rules can vary too, but at Dublin Airport, a number of rules have changed in recent months. Liquids, gels and electronics can now stay in your carry-on baggage when going through security thanks to new scanning machines.
There is no limit on the number of liquids and gels that can be carried in your carry-on baggage. The previous 100ml maximum limit on liquids and gels no longer applies, and items in containers up to 2 litres can be brought through security.
Liquids and gels no longer need to be packed inside clear plastic bags (so no more scavenging for a sandwich bag before security). However, these same rules do not apply to all airports, so if you are travelling with hand luggage alone, check the rules at the airport you are flying in to and home from.
Ireland’s leading airlines, Ryanair and Aer Lingus, have their own policies when it comes to hand baggage. Here are the 2026 hand luggage rules for those with travel plans:
Aer Lingus
Aer Lingus passengers can bring a 10kg bag with them on their travels, but there are two options when it comes to their bags. Passengers can pay for an upgraded ticket when making their booking which will allow them to bring their 10kg bag on board to be stored in the overheard baggage compartments.
A second free options allows for 10kg of baggage allowance, but the bag must be checked in at the baggage drop to be stored in the hold. The baggage must not exceed 10kg and must fit within the dimensions of 55x40x24cm.
One small personal item, such as a laptop bag or handbag, is also allowed per passenger. This personal item must fit within the dimensions of 40x30x20cm.
Your small personal item must be small enough to fit under the seat in front of you. If you are travelling with a laptop, this should be carried in a laptop bag as your small personal item.
Essential items, such as personal medication, money, passports and other identification documents should be packed in your carry-on baggage and not in checked baggage.
Aer Lingus highlighted some commonly queried items that are fine to take on board. These include wedding dresses, wedding cakes, and crystal.
Passengers are not permitted to carry the following articles in their checked baggage:
Explosives and incendiary substances and devices-explosives and incendiary substances and devices capable of being used to cause serious injury or to pose a threat to the safety of aircraft, including:
ammunitionblasting capsdetonators and fusesmines, grenades and other explosive military storesfireworks and other pyrotechnicssmoke-generating canisters and smoke-generating cartridgesdynamite, gunpowder and plastic explosives.
“Objects with a sharp point or sharp edge -objects with a sharp point or sharp edge capable of being used to cause serious injury, including:
items designed for chopping, such as axes, hatchets and cleavers,ice axes and ice picks,razor blades,box cutters,knives with blades of more than 6 cm,scissors with blades of more than 6 cm as measured from the fulcrum,martial arts equipment with a sharp point or sharp edge,swords and sabres;
“Workmen’s tools-tools capable of being used either to cause serious injury or to threaten the safety of aircraft, including:
crowbars,drills and drill bits, including cordless portable power drills,tools with a blade or a shaft of more than 6 cm capable of use as a weapon, such as screwdrivers and chisels,saws, including cordless portable power saws,blowtorches,bolt guns and nail guns;
“Blunt instruments-objects capable of being used to cause serious injury when used to hit, including:
baseball and softball bats,clubs and batons, such as billy clubs, blackjacks and night sticks,martial arts equipment
Aer Lingus planes (Stock)(Image: Artur Widak/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Other items with restrictions and bans include:
E-cigarettes – including, e-pipes, e-cigars and other personal vaporizers containing batteries which must be individually protected to prevent accidental activation can be carried on ones person and in carry-on baggage. Vaping or the use of e-cigarettes is forbidden on planes.
Baggage with installed lithium batteries – baggage with non- removable batteries exceeding 0.3g lithium metal or 2.7 Wh are forbidden under all circumstances.
Disabling devices – such as mace, pepper spray, etc. containing an irritant or incapacitating substance are forbidden on the person, in checked and carryon baggage.
Safety matches or one small lighter – that does not contain unabsorbed liquid fuel other than liquefied gas, intended for use by an individual when carried on the person. Lighter fuel and lighter refills are not permitted on one’s person or in checked or carry-on baggage.
You can find a full break down of all restricted items, whether they are allowed with airline permission, in carry-on, in checked baggage or on your person via this handy guide provided to Aer Lingus passengers HERE.
Ryanair
All passenger fare types include a small personal bag, which must fit under the seat in front of you when flying on a Ryanair. The small personal bag must be within the dimensions of 40x30x20cm.
Passengers who choose the priority boarding option can bring a personal bag as well as a 10kg hand baggage that must fit the dimensions of 55x40x20cm and be stored in the overhead locker. The Priority ticket option also allows you to board the plane first using the Priority Boarding queue at the gate.
When travelling with an infant, Ryanair will allow you to travel with two items of baby equipment free of charge per child. There is no cabin bag allowance for infants aged 8 days to 23 months inclusive. However, Ryanair does allow a baby bag up to 5kg to be brought for free for babies travelling on an adult’s lap. The baby bag must fit within the dimensions of 45x35x20cm.
If you show up with cabin baggage that is too big or two heavy for the allowance you have, then it will be refused at the boarding gate, or where available, placed in the hold of the aircraft for a fee. The fee can range from €60 to €75.
Girona, Spain, October 5, 2024: A bustling airport scene with passengers lined up to board a ryanair aircraft as the sun sets in the background. the image anticipation and movement typical of travel hubs.
You will be required to leave your bags at the aircraft steps, in the gate bag trolley, or as directed by Ryanair agents, for stowage in the hold. Duty free bags are permitted in the cabin for free, along with your small personal bag.
When it comes to items banned from hand luggage on Ryanair, a spokesperson said: “You must not carry any of the following items in checked-in luggage or carry-on baggage, or go through security with them on you (for example in your pockets).
“Any item which could be a danger to the plane, people or property, including the following.
Explosives and substances and devices capable of, or appearing to be capable of, causing serious injury or posing a threat to the safety of the plane, including, detonators and fuses, replica or imitation explosive devices, mines and grenadesBlasting capsOther explosive military storesDynamite, gunpowder and plastic explosivesGas and gas containersFlammable liquidsFlammable solids and substances that cause a chemical reactionFireworks, flares, smoke-generating canisters or cartridges, and other pyrotechnicsPaint, turpentine, white spirit and paint thinnerAlcohol with an ABV of more than 70% (140% proof)Chemicals, toxic substances or infectious substances (for example, acids and alkalis, ‘wet’ batteries, bleach, tear gas, animal-repellent sprays, poisons, infected blood, and bacteria and viruses)Radioactive material, including medicinal or commercial isotopesCorrosives, including mercury, vehicle batteries, and parts which have contained fuelMore than one litre in total of edible oil (for example, olive oil)Lithium ion battery-powered vehicles (including segways and hoverboards) other than any wheelchair or mobility equipment that meets our regulationsLithium ion battery-powered devices that exceed 160 watt hoursSmart bags which the lithium battery has not been removed fromGuns, firearms, ammunition and weapons, whether real or imitations, including, starting pistols, toy guns or recreational guns (such as paint ball guns), nail guns, bows, slingshots, catapults, harpoon guns, stun guns, tasers, cattle prods and lasersParts of firearms (except for sighting devices and sights)Fire extinguishers (except as authorised by fire procedures and as emergency equipment on the plane)Lighters and firelightersChristmas crackersEnergy-saving light bulbsItems with internal combustion engines
“Items which are prohibited by a law, regulation or order of any country or state your plane is flying to or from.
“Items which we have good reason to believe are unsuitable for carriage because:
they are dangerous or unsafe;of their weight, size, shape or character; orare fragile or perishable.
“Fish, birds or any animals killed and kept as hunting trophies.”
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