Is it possible to travel with 2 carry-on bags?
Souleymane Enok
This question comes up regularly for travelers looking to maximize their carry-on luggage capacity without paying checked baggage fees. Traveling with two carry-on bags seems like an ideal solution to bring more items without the constraints and costs of checked luggage. However, the regulatory reality is more nuanced and depends directly on the airline, the type of ticket, and how you define the term "carry-on bag."
The short answer is that the vast majority of airlines allow two carry-on items under specific conditions: a main carry-on bag that fits in the overhead bins and a smaller personal item that fits under the seat in front of you. This distinction between the two formats is fundamental because it determines the dimensions allowed for each and the conditions under which you can board with both simultaneously at no extra cost.
New European regulations from January 2026 have in fact clarified and strengthened this right by voting for the free inclusion of a personal item and a carry-on bag in every ticket sold on European flights. But as we saw in our previous articles, these regulations are still being implemented, and low-cost carriers like Ryanair and easyJet are still resisting their concrete implementation within their fare policies.
In this article, we explain exactly what you can bring as two carry-on bags according to the main airlines in 2026, which dimensions to respect, and how to optimize your strategy to travel with the maximum allowed carry-on luggage without extra fees.
The two-carry-on rule: what European regulations say
European regulations on carry-on luggage underwent a major evolution in 2026 that significantly clarifies traveler rights regarding the number of items allowed in the cabin. Understanding exactly what this regulation says and what it does not yet say is essential for traveling with two carry-on bags without unpleasant surprises at boarding.
The most important text of 2026 is the European Parliament vote on January 21, which adopted, by 632 votes to 15, a position requiring the free inclusion of two carry-on items in any ticket sold on European flights. Concretely, this vote provides that every passenger has the right to board for free with a personal item whose dimensions do not exceed 40 x 30 x 15 cm, and a carry-on bag whose cumulative dimensions do not exceed 100 centimeters, with a maximum weight of 7 kilograms. These two items must be included in the ticket price at no extra charge, regardless of the operating airline, including low-cost carriers.
However, this European Parliament vote has not yet entered into force in a binding manner for airlines as of May 2026. The reason is that the European legislative process requires an agreement between the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union, which represents the member states. The Council is adopting a position much more favorable to airlines, which are resisting this obligation en masse. Trialogue negotiations between the two institutions are ongoing but have not yet resulted in a final, binding text at the time of this article's writing.
This discrepancy between the Parliament's vote and the effective entry into force of the regulation explains why you may still see supplements for carry-on bags on Ryanair or easyJet in 2026, despite the European vote. These companies are complying with the letter of the current regulation, which remains that of the previous legal framework while awaiting the final adoption of the new text.
What is, however, already settled and binding since the summer of 2025 is the commitment of the 17 airline groups belonging to Airlines for Europe—which account for more than 80% of European traffic—to guarantee a free personal item of 40 x 30 x 15 cm on all their flights, regardless of the fare chosen. This voluntary but public commitment means you have the right to board with at least a small personal item under the seat for free on the vast majority of European flights.
The fundamental distinction that every traveler must understand is between the personal item and the main carry-on bag. The personal item is the small bag that fits under the seat in front of you. It is generally included for free in all fares, including the most basic, economical ones. The main carry-on bag is the suitcase or large backpack that goes in the overhead bins. It is this second bag that is still subject to restrictions and fees on low-cost carriers despite the January 2026 European vote.
To travel legally with two carry-on bags in 2026, the most universal strategy is therefore to scrupulously respect the 40 x 30 x 15 cm dimensions for your personal item and to check your airline's specific conditions for your main carry-on bag.
Two carry-on bags by major airline: what is allowed
The rules on two carry-on bags vary considerably depending on the airline, and it is essential to check them before each trip to avoid unpleasant surprises at boarding. Here is a precise and up-to-date overview of the policies of major airlines in 2026.
The universal rule that has applied to all European airlines since the summer of 2025 is that of the free 40 x 30 x 15 cm personal item. Every passenger, regardless of their fare, can board with this small bag to be placed under the seat in front of them without extra fees. This is the only point of convergence between all airlines on the issue of two carry-on bags. For the second bag—the main carry-on bag that goes in the overhead bins—policies differ considerably.
On legacy airlines like Air France and KLM, two bags are generally included for free in standard fares. A main carry-on bag of 55 x 35 x 25 cm and a personal item of 40 x 30 x 15 cm can be brought simultaneously at no extra charge on Economy tickets and higher. This generosity is, however, being questioned on the entry-level "Basic" fares gradually introduced by these airlines to compete with low-cost carriers.
On low-cost carriers, the situation is more restrictive. Ryanair only includes a 40 x 20 x 25 cm personal item in its base fare. The main carry-on bag requires purchasing the "Priority" option. easyJet allows a 45 x 36 x 20 cm personal bag for free, with the 56 x 45 x 25 cm carry-on reserved for those with the paid option.
Comparison table of two carry-on bags by airline in 2026
| Airline | Free personal item | Main carry-on bag | Included for free |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air France | 40 x 30 x 15 cm | 55 x 35 x 25 cm / 12 kg | ✅ Yes on standard fares |
| KLM | 40 x 30 x 15 cm | 55 x 35 x 25 cm / 12 kg | ✅ Yes on standard fares |
| Ryanair | 40 x 20 x 25 cm | 55 x 40 x 20 cm / 10 kg | ❌ Paid Priority option |
| easyJet | 45 x 36 x 20 cm | 56 x 45 x 25 cm / 15 kg | ❌ Paid option |
| Transavia | 40 x 30 x 15 cm | 55 x 35 x 25 cm / 10 kg | ❌ Paid option |
| Vueling | 40 x 30 x 15 cm | 55 x 40 x 20 cm / 10 kg | ⚠️ Depending on fare |
| Wizz Air | 40 x 30 x 20 cm | 55 x 40 x 23 cm / 10 kg | ❌ Paid option |
| Lufthansa | 40 x 30 x 15 cm | 55 x 40 x 23 cm / 8 kg | ⚠️ Paid on Economy Basic |
| Turkish Airlines | 40 x 30 x 15 cm | 55 x 40 x 23 cm / 8 kg | ✅ Yes on all fares |
| Emirates | 40 x 30 x 15 cm | 55 x 38 x 20 cm / 7 kg | ✅ Yes on all fares |
This table clearly illustrates that the possibility of traveling with two carry-on bags for free depends entirely on the chosen airline and the fare purchased. To maximize your chances of traveling with two carry-on bags without extra fees, choose legacy airlines with their standard fares and systematically check your ticket's specific conditions before packing.
Tips for traveling with two carry-on bags without extra fees
Traveling with two carry-on bags without paying extra fees is entirely possible with the right strategies and a minimum of preparation. Here are the most effective tips for maximizing your carry-on luggage capacity without spending an extra euro.
Choose an airline that includes both bags for free
The first and most obvious tip is to choose an airline upon booking that includes a main carry-on bag and a personal item in its standard fare. Air France, KLM, Turkish Airlines, and Emirates are among the companies that allow two carry-on bags for free on their standard fares. If your destination is served by several airlines, compare their luggage policies before booking, as the difference of a few euros on the ticket price can be more than offset by the savings made on baggage fees.
Scrupulously respect the personal item dimensions
The second tip is to precisely respect the 40 x 30 x 15 cm dimensions for your personal item, as this is the format universally guaranteed to be free on all European airlines since 2025. A compact backpack, a laptop bag, or a small travel bag that fits these dimensions guarantees you a free second bag on absolutely all airlines without exception. Measure your personal bag empty and packed before leaving to ensure it meets this format.
Wear your second bag rather than holding it
The third tip is to wear your second bag on your person rather than holding it in your hand during the boarding baggage check. An agent who sees a passenger with two visible bags is more likely to check the compliance of both bags simultaneously. A backpack worn on the shoulders and a small personal bag held under the arm usually pass more discreetly than a carry-on suitcase and a large backpack placed side-by-side on the ground in front of the sizer.
Compress your main carry-on as much as possible
The fourth tip is to invest in a compressible soft bag as a main carry-on rather than a hard-shell suitcase with fixed dimensions. A quality soft bag whose sides can be slightly compressed offers valuable dimensional flexibility if your luggage slightly exceeds the sizer dimensions on certain strict airlines. Websites like sac-cabine.com offer a selection of soft carry-on bags specifically tested for their compliance with the dimensions of the main airlines.
Board with priority to access overhead bins
The fifth tip is to purchase priority boarding on the most crowded flights to be among the first to board and guarantee access to the overhead bins for your main carry-on bag. On very full flights, overhead bins fill up quickly, and the last passengers to board may be asked to check their luggage into the hold for lack of available space, even if their luggage is perfectly within the allowed dimensions.
Check specific rules before each flight
The sixth tip is to systematically check the specific rules of your airline before each trip, because luggage policies evolve regularly and rules can vary according to the fare purchased, the destination, and the time of travel.
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