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40 × 30 × 15 cm bag

Typical free personal-item / handbag size. Here is how it compares with our manually reviewed airline limits, including wheels and handles.

Researched and maintained by FitsOnBoard editorial teamPublished by the FitsOnBoard teamLast updated: Editorial standards
✓ Free on 45! Tight on 7✕ No on 0

What this size is designed for

The 40 × 30 × 15 cm format is a slim personal-item box used by several reviewed airlines and fare types. Compared with the common 40 × 30 × 20 cm low-cost allowance, the five-centimetre reduction in depth makes overpacking the main practical risk.

Best use

It suits a laptop sleeve, handbag or lightly packed daypack that needs to remain beneath the seat. The narrow profile is useful when a basic fare includes only a personal item and the traveller wants a conservative shape that works across several reviewed carriers.

Main trade-off

Theoretical volume is only 18 litres before allowing for padding and rounded corners. A bag marketed as a 20-litre daypack can therefore exceed the 15 cm depth once loaded, even if its height and width appear comfortably within the other two limits.

Measure before flying

Pack the device, charger and clothing first, then measure through the thickest point rather than along an empty side panel. Fixed grab handles and filled front compartments count, and a rigid laptop section may prevent the bag from compressing into a shallow sizer.

Fits — free

Tight — risky

  • Ryanair logo
    Ryanair
    Free · 0 cm to spare
    Tight — risky
  • Wizz Air logo
    Wizz Air
    Free · 0 cm to spare
    Tight — risky
  • Vueling
    Free · 0 cm to spare
    Tight — risky
  • Eurowings
    Free · 0 cm to spare
    Tight — risky
  • Transavia
    Free · 0 cm to spare
    Tight — risky
  • Volotea
    Free · 0 cm to spare
    Tight — risky
  • Flybondi
    Free · 0 cm to spare
    Tight — risky

FAQ

Which airlines accept a 40 × 30 × 15 cm bag?+

A 40 × 30 × 15 cm bag fits 45 airlines for free, including Jet2, British Airways, Southwest Airlines. It's a tight fit on 7 and over the limit on 0.

Is 40 × 30 × 15 cm a carry-on or a personal item size?+

In Europe, sizes around 40×20×25 cm are free under-seat bags, while 55×40×20 cm and larger are cabin bags that may need Priority or a paid add-on.

Other sizes

40 × 30 × 20 cm45 × 36 × 20 cm55 × 40 × 20 cm55 × 40 × 23 cm55 × 35 × 25 cm56 × 45 × 25 cm22 × 14 × 9 in18 × 14 × 8 in