Ebay is now rife with bags of various dimensions, each specific to at least one airline. Those flying from the UK to Menorca include Jet2, Easyjet, Ryanair and TUI. When you book your tickets you may see an unfamiliar page, which actually charges £29.99 one way to take a small case into the cabin for the overhead lockers.

The problem with much media coverage on this topic is it can encourage people to buy new bags to ensure they fit the dimensions allowed. The 56cm x 45cm x 25cm is the cabin bag size airlines insisted upon from 2008.

The airlines are raking it in with new luggage dimensions. Here is an article compiling the latest sizes for all the airlines with links to examples.

The above article links to some higher range luggage. Below are some reasonably priced options on eBay. Watch out for penalty charges they will make at the airport for overweight or oversized bags. The large cabin bag size allowed by Easyjet used to be free without a weight limit.

Having just booked with Easyjet for the first time in a few years, their previous generous carry-on has changed to allowing a free bag of 45cm x 36cm x 20cm to be supposedly placed under the sea in front and a £30 charge each way to bring a 56cm x 45cm x 25cm case to go in the overhead lockers. Then it is £50 each way for a 23kg or 26kg bag for the hold.

Later luggage bookers may see charges for £32.49 for a 15kg or £42.49 for a hold bag per flight.

TUI have increased their allowances to a free 10kg bag (from the previous 5kg allowance) 55cm x 40cm x 20cm bag to carry on and a 20kg bag paid to travel in the hold.

JET2 have remained consistent with a 10kg carry-on free of charge, which is no larger than Jet2 lets its passengers carry one piece of hand luggage free of charge, as long as it weighs no more than 10kg and is no larger than 56cm x 45cm x 25cm. This means the original size carry on from since 2008 is still allowed into the cabin, free of charge with Jet2.

Ebay is now full of different sized luggage items marked for different airlines. Of course, women still get a tougher deal than men due to jewelry, make-up, shoes, dresses and swimwear for a beach holiday, which is unlikely to fit in a 45 x 36 x 25 centimetre bag.

The trick, for Easyjet at least, maybe in selecting a seat to reduce the £60 cabin luggage charge. The word suitcase also leans towards a case for suits, not dresses, make-up, jewelry and heels. Conde Nast Traveller discussed the gender disparity in more depth in January 2024.

With already less leg room, I wonder where Easyjet think people are supposed to put their feet with luggage under seats while the overhead lockers haven’t decreased in capacity in relation to seats on planes.

The small bag to go under the seat in front (less footspace, great!) also penalises women, the majority of whom regularly carry a handbag, while men tend to put wallets and phones in their pockets. Imagine a sundress or women’s shorts with a handbag full of items in pockets.

Women’s handbags often carry the family’s passports, any tickets or other printed travel documents, spectacles or sunglasses, vanity items, personal item such as keys, a mobile phone and a purse. Meanwhile men often carry wallets, phones and documents in their pockets.

Perhaps it’s time to break out the travel jacket with pockets for regular items, which men or women can carry.