Do musical instruments count as cabin baggage?

Small instruments (violins, ukuleles) usually fit cabin dimensions. Larger instruments need a CBBG (Cabin Baggage) seat costing roughly the price of an adult ticket.

UK Airline Baggage Calculator — Check Allowance & Fees

Ryanair — Regular

Short haul European route

Personal item / carry-on Included

Small bag 40 × 20 × 25 cm

Up to 10 kg. Must fit under the seat in front of you.

10 kg cabin bag Extra

£8–£25

Priority boarding + 10 kg bag. Price varies by route and how close to departure.

Checked bag (20 kg) Extra

£27–£45

Cheapest online at booking; airport price 2–3× higher.

Seat selection Extra

£4–£13

Random free allocation at check-in, 24 hours before departure.

Need more detail?

Our full UK airline baggage guide covers cabin-bag dimensions, hold baggage fees and all the loopholes.

Read the full guide

Tips to avoid baggage fees

The five things that cost most passengers £40–£80 in avoidable extras.

Measure, don’t guess. Every budget airline has size-testers at the gate. If your bag is 2 cm too big, they’ll charge the gate-rate (£50–£70) to put it in the hold. Measure wheels and handles included before you leave the house.
Prepay online, not at the airport. Adding a hold bag during booking is typically £27–£35. Adding it at the airport is £60–£75. Add it the moment you know you need it.
Use a backpack, not a wheelie. Ryanair and Wizz Air free cabin limits (40×20×25cm) are designed around flexible soft bags. A rigid wheelie will almost always get pulled at the gate.
Check the fare type before the bag. “Plus” or “Standard” fares often include a cabin bag that costs £12–£18 extra on the basic fare. Sometimes upgrading the fare is cheaper than buying the bag alone.
Don’t use duty-free for weight. Many airlines count duty-free bags towards your cabin allowance. If you’re at the limit, buy drinks on the return leg or ship them home.

Baggage Calculator FAQ

Are these prices accurate for my specific flight?

The ranges shown are typical pricing bands. The exact price you’ll pay depends on route popularity, how close to departure you add the bag, and whether you add it during or after booking. Always double-check on the airline’s website before paying.

Is a handbag counted as my cabin bag?

On budget airlines (Ryanair, easyJet Basic, Wizz Basic), yes — a handbag counts as your one allowed item. On full-service carriers (BA, Virgin, Lufthansa), a small handbag is typically allowed in addition to a wheeled carry-on.

Can I share a hold bag with a family member?

Yes, on most airlines — one person buys a hold bag in their name, and everyone travelling together can contribute items up to the weight limit. Jet2 and TUI explicitly allow pooled weights; easyJet allows shared bags at check-in.

What happens if my bag is overweight?

Budget airlines typically charge £12–£18 per kilo over the limit. Full-service carriers have tiered bands (£50 up to 3kg over, £80 up to 10kg over). It’s almost always cheaper to buy a heavier allowance in advance than to pay overweight fees at the airport.

Do musical instruments count as a cabin bag?

Small instruments (violins, ukuleles) usually fit within cabin bag dimensions. Larger instruments need an extra cabin seat (“CBBG” fare) which costs roughly the price of an adult ticket. Policy varies — always call the airline in advance.