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If you’re planning to fly with just a carry-on bag, you’ll need to be up to speed with airline carry-on policies.  Specifically, the various rules and regulations each carrier has for what you can and can’t “carry-on” to the plane. Each airline’s rules are different, so don’t just assume what works for one will work for all airlines.

Aer Lingus has recently turned into a “semi-low cost” carrier with both international and domestic operations. These low-cost airlines (like Spirit and easyJet) may have lower base fares, but if you’re not careful, you’ll end up paying more because of all the “a la carte” and penalty fees they have.   These include fees for both checked and carry-on luggage, among other things.

If you are going to be flying Aer Lingus, then here are the carry-on rules you need to be aware of:

Aer Lingus Carry-On Rules and Bag Guidelines

Aer Lingus changed their carry-on policy effective June 29, 2021. From this point forward, all passengers are allowed one personal item onboard, at no charge. However, you will have to “book a carry-on bag” in advance if you want to store a bag in the overhead bin.  The cost for this will start at €5.99 per bag.

If you forget to book your carry-on bag in advance, be prepared to pay a penalty. Aer Lingus will charge you a €35 fee if you have not purchased a carry-on bag, or if its not included in your fare, and you bring a 10kg bag to the boarding gate.

There are some exceptions to the fee, under the following situations:

  • Silver, Platinum and Concierge AerClub members. This applies to the member only and not traveling companions.
  • Bookings made with Plus, Advantage and Aer Space fare types.
  • The accompanying adult traveling with an infant.
  • Customers connecting to/from an Aer Lingus transatlantic flight or a connecting flight with an interline partner.

The personal item must fit under the seat in front of you, and the carry-on bag must be stowed in the overhead bin.

All customers with a carry-on bag with priority boarding (either purchased or included) must check in online or via the Aer Lingus App.

Aer Lingus Personal Item Size and Fees

Personal items include a purse, briefcase, laptop, backpack, shopping bag or a similar sized item.

Aer Lingus Carry-On Allowance

Aer Lingus size requirements for a carry-on are different from Transatlantic and Regional flights.

aer lingus carry on size

Aer Lingus Transatlantic Size and Weight Limits

10kg Carry-on Bag

Maximum weight: 10kg (22lb)

Maximum Size:

  • Height 55cm (21.5″)
  • Width 40cm (15.5″)
  • Depth 24cm (9.5″)

Small Personal Item

Maximum Size:

  • Height 25cm (10″)
  • Width 33cm (13″)
  • Depth 20cm (8″)

Aer Lingus Regional Flight Size and Weight Limits

7kg Carry-on Bag

Maximum weight: 7kg (15lb)

Maximum Size:

  • Height 48cm (18.5″)
  • Width 33cm (13″)
  • Depth 20cm (8″)

Small Personal Item

Maximum Size:

  • Height 25cm (10″)
  • Width 33cm (13″)
  • Depth 20cm (8″)

If you aren’t sure what size your carry-on is, Aer Lingus normally provides “size check templates” or “gauge units” located at their ticketing counters and departure gates. But if you wait until you get to either of these locations and have an issue, it’s too late.

Here is a little video to help illustrate:

If the bag is too big or too heavy, you’re going to have to pay a fee, so it’s always better to know your bag size and the limitations in advance.

Aer Lingus Carry-On Weight Limits

Aer Lingus requires carry-on bags to weigh less than 10 kg (22 lbs.) for Transatlantic flights and 7 kg (15 lbs.) for regional flights.

Carry-On Size Rules for Small Regional Aircraft

If you are flying one of Aer Lingus’ regional planes, it may not be possible to carry your hand baggage on board, even if it has the correct dimensions and weight. If this is the case, Aer Lingus will check it in and carry it in the hold, free of charge.

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.

Prohibited Items and Dangerous Goods

There are certain items that are considered dangerous and classified as hazardous material. Dangerous goods are prohibited from both your carry-on and checked bags on all flights. These rules are not specific to any airline and are mandated by the Federal Aviation Administration and European Aviation Safety Agency.

The list includes items such as aerosols, fireworks, matches, etc.…  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.

Carry-On Liquids

The rules for carry-on liquids are set by the TSA, EASA and FAA. Aer Lingus doesn’t make the rules, but they must enforce them.

  • Containers with liquids and gel-like substances may hold up to 100 ml (maximum capacity must be printed on container).
  • All containers must be carried in a plastic bag (transparent, resealable, max. capacity 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.

The TSA 3-1-1 Rule

Each passenger may carry liquids, gels and aerosols in travel-size containers that are 3.4 ounces or one hundred milliliters. Each passenger is limited to one quart-size bag of liquids, gels, and aerosols. Common travel items that must comply with the 3-1-1 liquids rule include toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, mouthwash and lotion.

Any liquid that does not meet the TSA 3-1-1 rule will either have to be checked with your luggage or will be thrown away at the security check point.

Here is a little video to help illustrate:

Exceptions to this rule are certain medications and baby food / child nourishment.

Carry-On Food

There are two different scenarios pertaining to food: 

  1. Food you bring with you to the airport, and
  2. Food you buy at the airport, after you have gone through security.

An important thing to note is the classification of liquid foods vs. solid foods.

The general rule is “If you can spill it, spread it, spray it, pump it, or pour it, then it’s considered a liquid or gel.” This means your food may be considered a liquid and will fall under the TSA 3-1-1 liquids rule, which mandates that any liquid, gel, cream, aerosol, or paste in a carry-on must be 3.4 ounces or less, and fit in one quart-size resealable bag (only one such bag is allowed per passenger).

The TSA website advises what food can be brought with you on your flight.  This applies to food you are bringing from home through security. Once you get through security, you can bring any food on the plane that you buy at the airport.

Aer Lingus 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 on 1 (888) 578-4806 (Monday through Friday from 9:00am to 5:00pm EST) or via email to [email protected] to make arrangements to bring your pet(s) into Ireland via IAG Cargo.

Aer Lingus Carry-On Fees

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

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