Carry-on size regulations can be confusing. For a start they're also called "on board restrictions", "flight allowances", "cabin luggage rules" and there are several bodies issuing them!

This page attempts to summarise the position for UK outward bound travellers.

Firstly, The Dept of Transport ( 22/9/2006 ) defined cabin size luggage allowance as 56 x 45 x 25 cms., which includes all projecting wheels, pockets, and handles.

However, the International Air Transport Association ( IATA, Geneva ) gives out a regulation size as 50 x 45 x 20 cms., and to our knowledge has not altered this.

Passengers connecting to / travelling on U.S. airlines need to know that the Federation of American Airlines ( FAA ) has set their carry-on size as 22 x 14 x 9 INCHES....or approximately 56 x 35 x 23 cms.

PRACTICAL ADVICE: If you travel by scheduled airline from the UK, in business or first class, the Dept of Transport size should usually apply. There may be a different allowance for economy class.

European scheduled carriers may possibly use the IATA rules.

If you fly by charter or budget airlines, they make their own rules! Also weight is now a factor, and for example recently Monarch were putting any item over 10 kgs in the hold, regardless of size.

Thanks to Denis for this info about Jet2 received on 31/7/09

Jet2's allowance is different from similar UK carriers
You are permitted one small piece of hand baggage of not more than 10kg and dimensions not in excess of 50x38x26cm, including wheels and handles. Any piece of baggage that does not meet these requirements will need to be checked in as hold baggage and the relevant fee will be charged. It is not possible to use your hand baggage allowance against your checked baggage allowance or vice versa.
http://www.jet2.com/FAQSection.aspx?ss=2

We are indebted to John Court for this info below. He is a frequent flyer throughout Europe, and this data was accurate on 15th April 2008. Thanks John, and please accept £20 discount from your next order.

UP-DATE 7th June 2007 RYANAIR latest...
Thanks to Tony Taylor ( £10 discount offer in the post ).

"Passengers can carry one item of hand baggage per passenger, weighing up to 10 kgs, with maximum dimensions 55 x 40 x 20 cms. If hand luggage does not fit in the RYANAIR BAGGAGE SIZER it will not be allowed as cabin luggage."

Latest update from the Flybe website (www.flybe.com): 2nd Nov 2007, and many thanks to Brian Lees for bringing this to our attention.

Economy class services:

Cabin baggage allowance 10kg.
Maximum permitted dimensions for cabin baggage: 50cm x 35cm x 23cm.

Flybe Economy Plus class services:

Cabin baggage allowance 10kg.
Maximum permitted dimensions for cabin baggage: 50cm x 35cm x 23cm

Which of course doesn't correspond to any of the sizes listed on your site as being recognised cabin luggage sizes! Although many people have never heard of Flybe they acquired British Airway's regional routes in March and now have 10 million passengers per year, being Europe's largest regional airline.

Luckily, all the briefcases of yours I have looked at meet these sizes!

Received on 21st Jan 2008, our thanks to Derek Watts:

"From Air Berlin's 'General Terms and Conditions.... Carriage of baggage';
Hand baggage must not weigh more than 6 kg (8 kg for Laptop). The
dimensions of hand baggage must not exceed the measurements of 55 cm x
40 cm x 20 cm. On account of space restrictions and security, only one
item of hand baggage per passenger is permitted."

This is typical of how every airline has individual cabin rules involving
both size and weight!"

Your best action is to CHECK CAREFULLY WHEN YOU BOOK.

This information has been compiled from various web-sites and personal experience, and anyone who wishes to up-date and improve it, please email sales@theleathertravelbag.co.uk as we would welcome your contribution.

We trust this is helpful and wish you safe journeys, and happy landings."

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Jocelyn Ollett. Managing Director. The Leather Briefcase Co.UK Ltd.