Dread the bag checker at the airport? If you're flying Ryanair or easyJet, I've found two cabin bags guaranteed to get on board with you without any additional fees.
Winter is finally over, and as the weather teases us with spring sunshine, I'm already planning my annual weekends away to warmer climates. To keep travel as affordable as possible, I usually fly low-cost airlines, and up until recently, used to dread the bag checker at the departure gate.
We've all been there, haven't we? Trying to squeeze a bag in there, or have witnessed some poor soul trying to. So I decided to take the stress out of flying, and found some no-fail options. Tried and tested, I've flown regularly with these bags and never had any trouble. Be sure to note the airlines they fit on as sizes differ depending on who you fly with.
Shop Ryanair & easyJet-approved cabin bags
This holdall went viral on TikTok, and has since become known as the 'Ryanair viral bag', as people (me included) snapped them up with the promise it would definitely pass the low-cost airline's size checker. Which it does, and as it's smaller than easyJet's allowance, you can use it on that airline too. But how much can you get in it? It's got hundreds of reviews online, with the most recent in April this year saying "Just so surprisingly spacious - you can get everything you need in this brilliant little bag."
It's worth noting the holdall style design isn't the easiest to carry around, particularly for long distances or periods of time, hence why I also bought the Lossga backpack. But if you've little in the way of travel outside the airport, you'd be hard pushed to find better value bag that's guaranteed to get on board.
I bought this Lossga backpack to travel with easyJet, and was very happy (and suprised) with the quality and size of it. The backpack design makes it really easy and comfortable to carry, and it has lots of pockets to help organise packing and make things easy to find. I had no problems with getting this bag on board easyJet, it fit perfectly under my seat and glided into the metal bag checker easily.
Lossga does this bag in two different sizes, the smaller one will work for both airlines, but the bigger one is specific to easyJet and won't be suitable for Ryanair. To be safe for both, I'd suggest going for the smaller size - be sure to select the correct measurements before buying.
This luxury essential overnight bag is an investment piece, but I had to include it. A gift earlier this year, this holdall is ultra chic, but it's not a case of style over substance. It's smaller than the dimensions of the easyJet bag checker but I couldn't get over just how much I can fit in it - it's genuinely like Mary Poppins bag. I unpacked with my friend recently and she looked on in wonder as I just kept pulling things out of it.
It's incredibly well made, robust and I love the little feet on it so you don't have to put it down on dirty floors while travelling. It has lots of different compartments, some with zips to keep your valuables safe. I put my passport in mine so it was secure but always easily accessible. It also has a handy back strap so if you are travelling with a bigger suitcase, it fits securely on top.
Outside of weekends away, this bag has become a regular at home too - for work, gym and days out. It's versatility and style makes it worth the cost. The only downside to the taupe colour is how easily it marks, especially with lots of use. I should have probably opted for either the forest green or black version, but taupe was just too stylish to resist.
The Lossga bag above is a definitely my top pick, which I found last year when scouring the best luggage deals. Designed specifically to easyJet's cabin bag size specs, it cost just over £20 and I was immediately surprised by the quality and design of this backpack – it also fits in a lot more than I was expecting. This bag is great for easyJet, however, it's not guaranteed when it comes to Ryanair as its dimensions are slightly different. But there is a smaller option, which would work for both.
It's not just me who is sold on the brilliance of the Lossga backpack. Many of my colleagues have bought it (I think mostly to shut me up), and have also been really pleasantly surprised.
Audience Development Manager at Future Lauren Stansfied says: "I really love how I can fit everything I need for a short weekend away, and it fits the easyJet underseat bag rules so avoids the extra charges. It didn't feel heavy with it packed to the rim, and was well supported so wasn't uncomfortable carrying it around for the day whilst waiting for check-in at the hotel. If you need to bring it in at all, the side straps allows you to really squash the bag even smaller if needed."
Antler's new overnight bag is super chic, surprisingly spacious and fits well within easyJet's cabin bag maximum measurements
Ryanair & easyJet free cabin bag measurements
The exact measurements for free cabin bags on each airline are:
- EasyJet – 45 x 36 x 20cm (including any handles or wheels)
- RyanAir – 40 x 20 x 25cm (including any handles or wheels)
If you are flying with either Ryanair or easyJet soon, it's worth visiting both airlines; websites to check the rules on cabin bags. If you want to test your bag fits without visiting the airport, there is a great easyJet free cabin bag size checker feature available on the easyJet app, where you can see whether the luggage you have is suitable.
Lossga Travel Backpack
The Lossga travel backpack is less than £25, so I was skeptical of its quality, but it's surprisingly well made. The material is thick, strong and the stitching is high quality, making all the straps feel really sturdy.
It has a lot of pockets, which some will love, others not so much. I found it really helpful, particularly the one at the front which made accessing and storing my passport really convenient. And this bottom pocket to keep shoes away from the main section that holds clothes was really handy.
The Lossga travel backpack has a handy separate compartment for shoes
The back of the bag has padding on the outside, making it comfortable and breathable. It also has clasps around the edge of the bag to really secure your items (and help you squeeze that little extra in but still fit in the bag checker). I also love how it comes in different colours (I have my eye very much on this green version), so you can easily identify each family members luggage.
The bag comes in two sizes, one is suitable for both airlines, the other slightly bigger one is only suitable for easyJet, so be sure to check the size selections before you buy.
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