Some airlines allow you to carry hand luggage and personal items on board for free. If everything is clear with hand luggage, not everyone knows what is considered a personal item. It’s time to figure it out. February 25, 2026 0 4 min
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What is a personal item?
A personal item is something that you can take on board with your hand luggage for free and without weighing: a small bag, backpack, or anything from this list.:
- Outerwear
- Bouquet
- Baby food that the child will need during the flight
- Baby cradle, baby carriage and other devices for carrying a child. The dimensions must strictly comply with the rules of the carrier.
- Medicines in the amount necessary for the duration of the flight.
- Crutches, canes, walkers, folding wheelchair
- Suit in a holdall
- Small umbrella
- Goods purchased at duty-free shops at the airport, packed in a sealed (sealed) plastic bag, the weight and dimensions of which are set by the rules of the carrier
- Photos, video cameras and laptops are usually asked to be packed in hand luggage.
It is very important to keep in mind that each airline has its own rules. They must be clarified before leaving for the airport.
Personal items and hand luggage: what is the difference?
This is the case when size matters. A personal item is usually small (the acceptable dimensions of the airline are always indicated on the website) and is placed under the front seat. Hand luggage can be quite large and most often flies in the upper luggage compartment.
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© depositphotos Photo author – dimabl
The rules for transporting personal items in the cabin are set by the airline. Usually, current regulations are publicly available on the carrier’s website. Here are the conditions for transporting things on board the most popular airlines.:
Wizz Air
Wizz Air allows you to carry only one piece of hand luggage up to 40x30x20 cm in size and weighing up to 10 kg for free. It should fit under the seat in front. You cannot take an additional personal item (for example, a separate bag or backpack) without purchasing an additional service.
If WIZZ Priority is available, passengers can take two items into the cabin: a small 40×30×20 cm hand luggage (up to 10 kg) and an additional suitcase up to 55×40×23 cm (also up to 10 kg), which is placed on the top shelf.
In Wizz Air, apart from the main 40×30× 20 cm hand luggage, it is usually allowed to carry outerwear (jacket or coat), a small travel pillow for the neck, a sealed bag with duty-free purchases, as well as necessary medical supplies such as bags or reeds should be included in the established norm.
© depositphotos Photo author – eugenerudzenka@gmail.com
© depositphotos Photo by I_am_Daniel
Ryanair
Ryanair allows you to carry only one bag up to 40x20x25 cm in size for free, which must fit under the seat in front. Additionally, you can usually have outerwear, a small neck pillow, a sealed duty—free package, as well as necessary medical supplies (for example, crutches or a cane) – these items are not considered a separate piece of luggage. If a passenger buys the Priority & 2 Cabin Bags option, it is allowed to take another suitcase up to 55×40×20 cm weighing up to 10 kg, which is placed on the top shelf.
An adult accompanying a child under 2 years old can take on board a bag weighing up to 5 kg with hygiene supplies, food and toys for free. The rest of the children are subject to “adult” norms.
Photo author – pitert
