Now that everyone is in full swing with 2016 we are starting to think about holidays for the year, perhaps getting away for a long weekend, or taking a week out over summer for a mid-year break. When planning a holiday you will undoubtedly look at when is best to fly, where is best to stay, what the weather is like, what the hotel offers, and even what the car rental is going to cost. But many forget to check one key thing – hand luggage restrictions.
These don’t change often, and if you have had the same hand luggage for 5 years the chances are that you won’t be checking to make sure it still fits in with the size guidelines. But you should be, especially with British Airways releasing their new size regulations in August 2015 and other airlines potentially following in their footsteps.
The new hand luggage rules
The amount of pieces of hand luggage you can have with you has not changed so you are still allowed to take a handbag/laptop bag and one additional bag on your flights if you fall into one of the following age groups:
- Adults: Aged 15+ years
- Young Adults: Aged 12-15 years
- Children: Aged 2-11 years
Anyone under the age of 2 is only allowed the additional bag, i.e. they cannot have a handbag or laptop bag as well. This bag can only be used if it contains items that they will need during the flight, otherwise it will not be allowed and you will have to consolidate the additional luggage into your bags.
Changes to hand luggage sizes
All measurements of hand luggage should include any external features of the suitcase, including handles and wheels, so when measuring your luggage make sure you account for this as well. Anything that is purchased at duty free must also be able to fit inside the bag without breaking the size restrictions.
Full changes to the sizes can be seen in the table below:
| Flight Journey | Maximum size of handbag/laptop bag | Maximum size of additional cabin bag |
| To and from Brazil | 45cm x 36cm x 20cm
(18in x 14in x 18in) |
56cm x 45cm x 25cm
(22in x 18in x 10in) |
| All other flights | 40cm x 30cm x 15cm
(16in x 12in x 16in) |
56cm x 45cm x 25cm
(22in x 18in x 10in) |
These sizes are based on the premise that one bag will be stored in the overhead compartment on the plane (the larger, additional cabin bag), and the other will be stowed safely under the seat in front of you. So when you are packing, keep in mind that the most important things, or the most necessary things on your flight should probably be in the smaller handbag/laptop bag for easy access.
Cellini have updated a section of their site which shows hand luggage suitable for British Airways flights if you are concerned your current luggage will not fit the new restrictions.
