Medium Expandable Briefcase

Hand Luggage Sizes & Dimensions by Airline

Knowing your airline's cabin allowance before you travel is one of the simplest ways to make every departure seamless. We've compiled the latest cabin luggage size and weight limits for the world's leading airlines in one place, so you can pack with complete confidence. From a short European hop to a long-haul flight, we engineer our hand luggage to meet the most widely accepted international size standards.

Packing for the World's Finest Airlines

The allowances above are just numbers. What matters is how intelligently your luggage uses that space. Backed by our Simple as That® lifetime guarantee, our cabin bags work in harmony with each airline's specifications, so you arrive with everything you need and nothing is held back at the gate.

British Airways

British Airways' carry-on allowance of 56 × 45 × 25cm is one of the most generous in European aviation, and the preferred choice of UK business travellers on routes from London Heathrow to destinations across Europe, North America, and beyond. The Baseline Essential 56cm Carry-On Spinner is precision-engineered to maximise every centimetre of that allowance. Its patented Outsider® handle mounts to the exterior of the bag rather than consuming interior packing space, while the CX® Smart Packing Technology lets you expand for additional capacity and compress back to a perfect overhead fit. For those who prefer polycarbonate hardside protection, the Sympatico Essential 56cm Expandable Spinner fits the same dimensions.

Virgin Atlantic

Virgin Atlantic's 56 × 36 × 23cm allowance is common across many transatlantic carriers, and it rewards a well-considered bag over a bulky one. The Sympatico Essential 56cm Expandable Spinner is crafted from Makrolon® polycarbonate, so it's resilient and scratch-resistant. Its CX® Smart Packing Technology expands to 30% more capacity when you need it, then compresses cleanly back to its original size for a secure, frictionless fit. Whether you're travelling Upper Class to New York or connecting onward, it's a piece that performs as distinctively as the airline it accompanies.

Emirates

Emirates' cabin allowance calls for a bag designed with precision rather than presumption. The ZDX Large Convertible Backpack converts effortlessly between backpack and briefcase carry, sitting comfortably within Emirates' cabin allowance while offering the organisation and refinement that discerning travellers on routes through Dubai expect. Thoughtfully considered pockets and a dedicated laptop sleeve make it an ideal companion for long-haul travel where every detail of your experience matters.

Frequently Asked Questions About Hand Luggage Sizes

What size cabin bag fits British Airways and Emirates?

The most considered approach is to travel with two complementary pieces: a full cabin spinner for BA routes and an underseat-compatible bag for Emirates. The ZDX Large Convertible Backpack complies with Emirates' cabin dimensions, fits under the seat in front of you, and converts between backpack and briefcase carry, a particularly practical choice on long-haul flights through Dubai, where you want everything accessible. Pair it with the Baseline Essential 56cm Carry-On Spinner for your BA departures, and you have a two-bag system that covers the full spectrum of your travel.

What size carry-on fits most UK airlines?

For a single bag that perfrorms across the broadest possible range of carriers, we recommend the Baseline Global 53cm Carry-On Expandable Spinner. Its 53cm profile complies with even the stricter European allowances, while the CX® Smart Packing Technology gives you additional packing capacity when your itinerary demands it, then compresses back to a lean, compliant size for boarding.

What is the best hand luggage for frequent business travellers flying from the UK?

Hand luggage that earns its place on a business traveller's weekly rotation needs to do three things exceptionally well: fit BA's cabin allowance, protect your contents through dozens of overhead bin cycles each year, and remain as polished on your hundredth trip as it did on your first. The Baseline Essential 56cm Carry-On Expandable Spinner meets all three. Its patented CX® Smart Packing Technology expands to accommodate a full week's packing, then compresses to its original size, making every centimetre of BA's 56 × 45 × 25cm allowance work harder. Backed by our Simple as That® lifetime guarantee, it's genuinely the last cabin bag a frequent flyer will ever need to buy.