Best free personal item size for Europe
The largest under-seat bag that flies free across European airlines.
Fits the personal item allowance on all 7 reviewed airlines in this group. The tightest is Ryanair.
How to use this recommendation
For low-cost European travel, the free bag is usually the item that fits beneath the seat rather than the larger overhead case. This comparison focuses on reviewed carriers where that smaller allowance determines what can travel without an added cabin-bag fee.
The trade-off
A shared personal-item size sacrifices some volume to clear the strictest airline in the group. Travellers using only easyJet could take a larger free bag, while a mixed itinerary must respect the smaller dimensions imposed elsewhere.
How we calculated it
The calculation selects the largest included personal-item allowance for each relevant airline and then intersects those boxes. It does not assume that a paid priority product is included, and it keeps weight restrictions visible as a separate constraint.
personal item limit per airline (7)
Ryanair
Wizz Air
easyJetFAQ
What is the best personal item size for this group?+
A bag no larger than 40 × 30 × 20 cm (15.7 × 11.8 × 7.9 in), up to 10 kg fits the personal item allowance on all 7 airlines in this group — the limit is set by Ryanair.
Why not just buy the biggest bag?+
Because the strictest airline in the group wins. A bag that fits Ryanair fits everyone here; a larger one would be rejected or charged there. Buy for the tightest limit and you’re safe on all.
Should I leave a safety margin?+
Yes — measure with wheels and handles, and pick a bag a touch under the limit. A packed bag bulges, and low-cost airlines measure strictly at the gate.