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Travelling with budget airlines like Ryanair, Wizz Air, or Eurowings is a cost-effective way to explore Europe. However, their baggage policies can be a challenge. The rule for the free personal item, which must fit under the seat in front of you, often causes uncertainty. A bag with the exact dimensions of 40x20x25 cm is the key to avoiding unexpected fees at the gate.
This guide presents a selection of compliant bags and offers practical advice on what to look for when choosing one. Our goal is to help you find a functional, regulation-compliant bag that makes your journey easier.
Choosing the right piece of luggage depends on more than just its dimensions. Material, weight, and layout are crucial for a comfortable and stress-free trip.
Every gram counts, especially when airlines also impose weight limits on cabin baggage. A lightweight travel bag made from materials like Oxford fabric or high-strength nylon has a low empty weight, allowing you to pack more. Look for water-resistant properties to protect your belongings during a brief downpour on the way to the airport. Soft-shell bags also have the advantage of being more flexible, making them easier to fit into the sizing cage at the gate compared to rigid hard-shell suitcases.
A well-designed 40x20x25 cabin bag makes it easy to access important documents and items. A separate external pocket for your passport, boarding pass, and smartphone is convenient for security checks. Inside, compartments help keep things organised. A particularly useful feature is a trolley sleeve on the back. This strap allows the under-seat bag to be securely attached to the handle of a larger rolling suitcase, making your journey through the airport much more comfortable.
The dimensions 40 cm x 20 cm x 25 cm are primarily known as the standard size for the small, free personal item on Ryanair. Many other airlines, including Wizz Air, have similar or slightly more generous requirements for a small flight bag. Nevertheless, you should always check your airline's current regulations before each flight, as they can change. A bag that meets these exact dimensions, such as a dedicated Ryanair 40x20x25 bag, offers the greatest assurance of meeting the requirements.
Here is a selection of bags that are ideal for short trips and as carry-on luggage for budget airlines.
What makes it stand out: This travel bag was specifically designed to take full advantage of Ryanair's personal item allowance. With a 20-litre capacity and minimal empty weight, it offers an optimal balance of space and weight. The combination of carry handles, a shoulder strap, and a trolley sleeve makes it a versatile travel companion.
Pros:
Who is it for? For budget-conscious travellers who want to make the most of their free baggage allowance and are looking for a straightforward, functional solution tailored specifically to Ryanair's rules.
What makes it stand out: This ultra-lightweight backpack offers an alternative to the classic travel bag. With its compact dimensions of approx. 31 cm x 15.5 cm x 31 cm, it is well under the 40x20x25 limit, guaranteeing it will fit easily under the seat. The focus here is on carrying comfort and organisation for minimalist travel.
Pros:
Who is it for? For travellers who only carry the essentials and place maximum value on comfort. It's also ideal as a daypack at your destination, keeping your hands free.
What makes it stand out: This bag is an ultra-compact and extremely lightweight solution for absolute minimalists. With a standard volume of 1.2 litres that can be expanded to 3.6 litres, it's primarily designed for storing valuables like your smartphone, wallet, and passport. Its main advantage is its feather-light weight of just 98 grams.
Pros:
Who is it for? For travellers who want to carry only the bare essentials close to their body, or as an organisational pouch within a larger carry-on. It's a great choice for day trips or when you only need to transport valuables.
If our selection doesn't include the perfect model for your needs, you can find a wider range of options suitable for various travel scenarios in our soft lightweight travel bag category.
These are the maximum external dimensions (length x width x height) that a bag can have to qualify as a free "small personal bag" or "personal item" on airlines like Ryanair. The bag must fit completely into the sizing cage provided at the gate and be stowed under the seat in front of you.
Yes, the specified dimensions always refer to the overall size of the luggage. This includes all protruding parts such as handles, external pockets, and, in the case of small suitcases, the wheels. For this reason, soft bags are often more practical as they don't have rigid, protruding parts.
To comply with the strict 40x20x25 cm rule, a soft bag (holdall, duffle bag, or backpack) is generally the better choice. It is more flexible and can be easily compressed if necessary to fit into the sizing cage. A hard-shell suitcase with the same nominal dimensions is rigid and offers no leeway if it is slightly too large or bulges when packed.