Aer Lingus Cabin Baggage & Hand Luggage Allowance
Everything you need to know about Aer Lingus cabin baggage, hand luggage sizes, checked baggage allowances and airport liquid rules before you travel.
Aer Lingus baggage allowances vary depending on your route, fare type and the baggage options included with your booking.
On Aer Lingus flights within Europe, all passengers can travel with a 10kg bag measuring up to 55 × 40 × 24 cm, plus one small personal item measuring up to 40 × 30 × 20 cm.
However, whether your 10kg bag can travel with you in the aircraft cabin depends on your booking.
Passengers with an eligible fare or a 10kg Carry-on Bag option can take it onboard and store it in the overhead locker. Otherwise, the 10kg bag must be dropped off at check-in free of charge.
The small personal item — such as a handbag or laptop bag — can be taken onboard and must normally fit underneath the seat in front of you.
On Aer Lingus transatlantic flights to and from North America, passengers can bring both the 10kg cabin bag and a small personal item onboard.
Checked baggage allowances also depend on your route and fare. On European flights, several checked baggage options are available, while transatlantic allowances vary according to the fare purchased.
No individual checked bag may weigh more than 32kg, and additional or excess baggage charges may apply where your allowance is exceeded.
If you're travelling with cabin baggage, remember that airport security rules for liquids apply separately from Aer Lingus's baggage allowance. Always check the requirements at your departure airport before travelling.
Understanding which Aer Lingus baggage allowance applies to your particular route and fare before you pack can help you avoid unexpected charges or having to rearrange your luggage at the airport.
Free Cabin Bag Size
Small personal item
40 × 30 × 20 cm
Fits under the seat
Included for all passengers
10kg bag
55 × 40 × 24 cm
Carry onboard if included or purchased
Otherwise check in free on European flights
Checked Baggage
European flights
20kg • 25kg • 40kg
40kg allowance uses two bags
Allowance depends on fare and booking
Maximum individual bag weight
32kg
Additional Baggage Fees
Saver fares
Checked baggage charged separately
Plus / Advantage
20kg bag included
Book baggage online in advance
Airport prices are higher
Key Aer Lingus Baggage Tips
All passengers can travel with a 10kg bag plus one small personal item on Aer Lingus European flights.
Your small personal item must not exceed 40 × 30 × 20 cm and should fit underneath the seat in front.
The 10kg bag must not exceed 55 × 40 × 24 cm.
On European flights, you can take the 10kg bag onboard only when the 10kg Carry-on Bag is included with your booking or you have purchased the option.
If you don't have onboard 10kg baggage included, you can still travel with the bag but must drop it at check-in free of charge.
Taking an unauthorised 10kg bag to the boarding gate can result in a €35 gate fee and the bag being placed in the hold.
Saver fares on European flights normally charge separately for checked baggage, while Plus and Advantage fares include a 20kg checked bag.
European checked baggage options include 20kg, 25kg and 40kg across two bags, depending on the fare and option purchased.
No individual checked bag may weigh more than 32kg.
Buying checked baggage online in advance is normally cheaper than paying at the airport.
Cabin baggage dimensions include wheels and handles, and Aer Lingus may check bags using its airport baggage gauges.
Airport security rules for liquids are separate from Aer Lingus's baggage allowance, so check the rules applying at your departure airport before travelling.
Cabin baggage sizes explained
Understanding the difference between small cabin bags, cabin suitcases and checked baggage helps you pack efficiently and avoid delays at the airport.
Aer Lingus baggage allowance by fare type
Your Aer Lingus ticket type determines how many bags you can bring in the cabin and in the hold. All fares include a cabin bag and a small personal item, while checked baggage depends on your fare.
Saver
10kg Carry-on Bag
Small personal item included
40 × 30 × 20 cm
Fits under the seat
10kg bag included
55 × 40 × 24 cm
Checked into the hold free of charge
Checked baggage
Not included as standard
Best for:
Short trips or travellers keeping additional costs to a minimum
Small personal item included
40 × 30 × 20 cm
Fits under the seat
10kg carry-on bag
55 × 40 × 24 cm
Up to 10kg
Carried onboard in the overhead locker
Checked baggage
Not included unless provided by your fare or purchased separately
Best for:
Cabin baggage travel with additional onboard storage
Plus / Advantage / AerSpace
Small personal item included
40 × 30 × 20 cm
Fits under the seat
10kg carry-on bag
55 × 40 × 24 cm
Up to 10kg
Carried onboard in the overhead locker
Checked baggage
Included depending on fare
Varies by ticket type and route
Best for:
Travellers wanting greater baggage flexibility
Checked baggage with Aer Lingus: what you need to know
Aer Lingus checked baggage allowances depend on your route and fare type, so it is important to check what is included with your booking before you travel.
On flights within Europe, Saver fares do not include checked baggage as standard. Plus and Advantage fares include one checked bag weighing up to 20kg, with additional baggage options available.
Passengers travelling within Europe can choose from 20kg, 25kg or 40kg checked baggage allowances, with the 40kg allowance split across two bags.
Each individual checked bag must not exceed 32kg, and the total dimensions of a bag — length + width + height — must not exceed 158cm.
Checked baggage can be added online up to two hours before departure. Booking baggage online in advance is generally cheaper than paying the full baggage fee at the airport.
Aer Lingus allows passengers travelling on the same booking and checking in together to pool their checked baggage allowance, although individual bags must still remain within the 32kg maximum weight limit.
Different checked baggage rules apply to transatlantic flights, where allowances depend on fare type and cabin class. Passengers connecting with another airline should also check their booking carefully, as baggage allowances may differ.
If your bag exceeds your booked weight allowance or the permitted size limits, additional baggage charges may apply at the airport.
Aer Lingus cabin baggage rules: liquids, extras and restrictions
Aer Lingus cabin baggage rules cover more than simply the size and weight of your bags. What you can take through airport security also depends on the rules at your departure airport.
Aer Lingus passengers can bring one small personal bag measuring up to 30 × 40 × 15cm. This must fit underneath the seat in front of you.
Depending on your fare or the baggage option purchased, you may also be able to take a larger 10kg cabin bag measuring up to 55 × 40 × 24cm. This is intended for the overhead locker.
For liquids, always check the security rules at the airport you are travelling from. At airports operating traditional liquid restrictions, containers must be 100ml or smaller and carried in a transparent, resealable liquids bag with a maximum capacity of 1 litre.
Liquids include more than drinks. Toiletries such as toothpaste, shampoo, shower gel, liquid deodorant, creams, lotions, cosmetics and many aerosols can all be treated as liquids for airport security purposes.
Essential medicines and baby food or milk may be exempt from the normal liquid limits when required for your journey, although additional screening or supporting information may be requested.
Duty-free liquids purchased after security can normally be carried on board, but passengers making connecting journeys should keep liquids and proof of purchase in any security bag provided and check the rules applying at their connecting airport.
Cabin baggage must remain within your Aer Lingus allowance. If you arrive with a larger cabin bag without the appropriate allowance, the bag may have to be placed in the hold and an airport baggage fee may apply.
Dangerous or restricted items are subject to aviation security rules. Certain sharp objects, flammable substances and other hazardous items cannot be carried in cabin baggage.
Common cabin baggage mistakes to avoid
Assuming the 10kg overhead cabin bag is included with every booking
Bringing a small personal bag larger than 30 × 40 × 15cm
Exceeding the 55 × 40 × 24cm size or 10kg weight limit for a larger cabin bag
Packing liquids without checking the rules at your departure airport
Assuming every airport now allows liquid containers larger than 100ml
Packing restricted or dangerous items without checking before travelling
Forgetting to check the rules for duty-free liquids when making a connecting journey
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is Aer Lingus’s free cabin baggage allowance?
Aer Lingus passengers can bring one small personal bag measuring up to 30 × 40 × 15cm. It must fit underneath the seat in front of you.
2. Can I take a 10kg cabin bag on Aer Lingus?
Yes. Aer Lingus allows a larger cabin bag weighing up to 10kg and measuring no more than 55 × 40 × 24cm when this allowance is included with your fare or added to your booking.
3. Is a 10kg cabin bag included with every Aer Lingus fare?
No. The larger 10kg cabin bag is not automatically included with every fare. Your entitlement depends on your fare type and the baggage options attached to your booking.
4. What checked baggage options does Aer Lingus offer?
On European flights, Aer Lingus offers checked baggage allowances including 20kg and 25kg options, as well as a 40kg allowance split across two bags. The baggage included with your ticket depends on your fare type.
5. What is the maximum weight for one Aer Lingus checked bag?
No individual checked bag can weigh more than 32kg. Even if your overall baggage allowance is higher, the weight must be distributed so that each individual bag remains within this limit.
6. What is the maximum size for Aer Lingus checked baggage?
A standard checked bag must not exceed 158cm when its length, width and height are added together. Oversized baggage may be subject to different handling requirements or additional charges.
7. Can Aer Lingus passengers pool their checked baggage allowance?
Passengers travelling on the same booking and checking in together can generally pool their checked baggage allowance. However, no individual bag may exceed the maximum permitted weight of 32kg.
8. Can I add checked baggage to my Aer Lingus booking after booking my flight?
Yes. Checked baggage can be added to an Aer Lingus booking after the original flight purchase. Adding baggage online in advance is generally cheaper than paying baggage charges at the airport.
9. What liquids can I take in Aer Lingus hand luggage?
Liquid restrictions are determined by airport security rules rather than Aer Lingus alone. At airports operating traditional liquid restrictions, containers must be 100ml or smaller and carried in a transparent, resealable liquids bag with a maximum capacity of 1 litre. Always check the rules at your departure airport before travelling.
10. Can I take medicines and baby liquids on Aer Lingus?
Yes. Essential medicines and baby food or milk required for your journey can normally be carried in cabin baggage and may be exempt from standard liquid limits. Airport security may carry out additional checks or request supporting information.
11. Can I take duty-free liquids on an Aer Lingus flight?
Duty-free liquids purchased after airport security can normally be taken on board. If you have a connecting flight, keep liquids and proof of purchase in any security bag provided and check the rules at your connecting airport.
12. What happens if my Aer Lingus cabin bag is too large or heavy?
If your cabin baggage exceeds the allowance included with your booking, Aer Lingus may require it to be placed in the aircraft hold and an additional airport baggage fee may apply.
13. Are Aer Lingus baggage rules the same on European and transatlantic flights?
No. Aer Lingus baggage allowances can differ between European and transatlantic services, particularly for checked baggage. Your allowance also depends on your fare type and cabin class, so check the baggage entitlement shown on your booking before travelling.