Aer Lingus Carry-On Policy: Size, Weight, & Restricted Items

Aer Lingus is fairly straightforward once you separate (1) the small under-seat personal item you can always bring and (2) the larger cabin bag that depends on your route and fare. The most common issues I see are travelers mixing up the Aer Lingus mainline limits versus Aer Lingus Regional (smaller aircraft), and Saver-fare travelers assuming the 10kg cabin bag is automatically included.

For cross-airline context, you can reference my guide to airline carry-on luggage rules.

Aer Lingus carry-on rules at a glance

• Personal item size: 25 × 33 × 20 cm (under the seat)
• Main cabin bag size (most Aer Lingus flights): 55 × 40 × 24 cm
• Main cabin bag weight (most Aer Lingus flights): 10 kg (22 lb)
• Regional cabin bag size (Aer Lingus Regional): 48 × 33 × 20 cm
• Regional cabin bag weight (Aer Lingus Regional): 7 kg (15 lb)
• Fare note (Saver): Saver fares commonly let you check a 10kg bag for free or pay to carry it onboard (policy varies by route and booking)

Aer Lingus carry-on size limit

Aer Lingus publishes different cabin-bag sizing depending on whether you’re on a standard Aer Lingus flight or an Aer Lingus Regional segment.

Standard Aer Lingus flights (most Europe + transatlantic)

• Carry-on size: 55 × 40 × 24 cm
• Carry-on weight: 10 kg (22 lb)

Aer Lingus Regional flights

• Carry-on size: 48 × 33 × 20 cm
• Carry-on weight: 7 kg (15 lb)

If your itinerary includes a Regional segment (even as a short connection), plan around the smaller Regional limits. That’s where people get surprised at the gate.

Aer Lingus personal item rules (under-seat bag)

Aer Lingus also allows a smaller personal item (think handbag, laptop bag, or compact backpack) that must fit under the seat in front of you.

• Personal item size: 25 × 33 × 20 cm

Practically: keep this bag as your “can’t lose it” kit—passport, medication, chargers, and anything fragile.

Does Aer Lingus Saver include a carry-on?

This depends on the exact fare and route, but Aer Lingus describes a common Saver setup like this: you can either check a 10kg bag for free or pay a fee to carry the 10kg bag onboard.

If you booked Saver and you want an overhead-bin roller, double-check what’s included in your booking and (if needed) add the 10kg cabin bag in advance rather than finding out at the airport.

Recommended Carry-On Bag for Aer Lingus

Packing for international airlines is a lot smoother when your carry-on is built for international dimensions instead of oversized domestic rollers. That’s why I recommend the Travelpro Maxlite 5 International Expandable Carry-On Spinner (19″)—it’s compact, rolls well, and it tends to be a safer fit across a wide range of international airlines.

If the airline you’re flying is known for strict sizing or weight checks, keep the bag unexpanded and avoid overstuffing exterior pockets so it stays as slim as it measures.

Why it’s a good match for Aer Lingus: Aer Lingus’ main cabin bag size is 55 × 40 × 24 cm, and the Maxlite 5 International is designed around that “international footprint,” especially on height and depth. It’s also a practical choice if you’re trying to stay within Aer Lingus’ 10 kg cabin-bag weight limit.

Manufacturer dimensions (overall, incl. wheels and carry handles): 21.75″ × 15.75″ × 7.75″

It’s durable, reasonably priced, and holds everything I need for shorter trips (3-4 days). Plus the spinner wheels make it very easy to get through the airport quickly and effortlessly.

Carry-On Size Rules for Small Regional Aircraft

If you are flying one of Aer Lingus’ regional planes (operated by Emerald Airlines), there is a 7kg weight limit per passenger for carry-on baggage, which must be stored in the overhead locker. Your small personal item (handbag or laptop bag) is also included and must be stowed under the seat in front of you.

If you want to make sure you have a bag that will fit, check out this article on the best carry-on bags for regional jets.

Carry-On Liquids with Aer Lingus

The rules for carry-on liquids are set by the TSA in the US and the EASA and European Commission in Europe.  Aer Lingus doesn’t have its own specific Liquids Policy, they just enforce the rules and policies of the Authorities.

• Containers with liquids and gel-like substances may hold up to 100 ml (maximum capacity must be printed on the container).
• All containers must be carried in a plastic bag (transparent, resealable, max. capacity of one liter). One bag per person.
• The bag must be presented separately at security. Take your liquids out of your carry-on baggage at the security screening point and present them separately. In exceptional cases, liquids may be opened during security checks and removed from their outer packaging.
• Liquid duty-free goods purchased at an international airport or on board an aircraft outside the EU must be transported in a tamper-proof, certified bag on connecting flights via an EU airport. The proof of purchase must be inside the bag and the bag must be sealed by the retailer.
• Medicines and special food (e.g., baby food) can be carried outside the plastic bag and must also be presented at security.

Carry-On Pet Policy

Aer Lingus does not allow pets in the main cabin with passengers unless it is a trained service dog used to help a passenger with a disability.

Pets must be booked through a pet agent at IAG Cargo for carriage on Aer Lingus flights in the aircraft hold.

Customers traveling with pets from North America can contact the Aer Lingus North American Pet Desk at 1 (888) 578-4806 (Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm EST) to make arrangements to bring your pet(s) into Ireland via IAG Cargo.

• If you are entering Ireland or an EU country your pet must comply with EU Pet Travel rules.
• If you are entering the UK, your pet must meet the requirements of the UK Pet Travel Scheme.
• Pets entering the USA must comply with the US Department of Agriculture entry requirements.
• Pets entering Canada must comply with the Government of Canada entry requirements.

Prohibited Items and Dangerous Goods

Items considered “dangerous goods” are prohibited under the Aer Lingus carry-on policy. A complete list can be found on the FAA website, the TSA website, and/or the EASA website.

One more way to find them is with the Aer Lingus summary of restricted items.

Aer Lingus Carry-On Size and Fees

Here is a link to Aer Lingus Carry-On page to make sure you have the most up-to-date information.