Guide to Aer Lingus Carry-On Size, Weight, and Personal Items

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.

In this article, we’ll explain everything you need to know about the Aer Lingus carry-on policy. This includes Aer Lingus carry-on size and weight limits, personal items, liquids, pets, prohibited items, and other rules and restrictions you should know before boarding your flight.

Aer Lingus Carry-On Size and Weight Limit

Aer Lingus changed its carry-on policy effective June 29, 2021. From this point forward, all passengers are allowed one personal item onboard, as well as a 10kg bag which must be checked in, 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 onboard the aircraft.  

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 it’s not included in your fare, and you bring a 10kg bag to the boarding gate.

There are some exceptions to the fee, in 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 is 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 Carry-On Allowance

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

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 this:

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 Limit

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, but they may charge a fee.

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.

Recommended Carry-On Bag

If you are looking for an international-sized carry-on bag, the Travelpro 20-inch Global Expandable Spinner Carry-on is definitely one to consider. It’s durable, reasonably priced, and holds enough for shorter trips (3-5 days). Plus the spinner wheels make it very easy to get through the airport quickly and effortlessly.

Aer Lingus Personal Item Size

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

Related Content: Aer Lingus Flight Deals

Carry-On Liquids: Aer Lingus Liquids Policy

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.

Below is a table that provides some examples of Non-solid Food and Personal Items that are considered “liquids”:

Liquids	Food	Aerosols	Gels
Beverages	Jelly	Spray Paint	Hair Gel
Shampoo	Pudding	Deodorant Spray	Shower Gel
Conditioner	Yogurt	Insect Repellent	Hand Sanitizer
Toothpaste	Gelatin	Cooking Spray	Gel Deodorant
Lotion	Mashed Potatoes	Sunscreen
Mouthwash	Peanut Butter	Spray Lubricant
Liquid soap	Cheese Spread	Hairspray
Contact Lens Solution	Maple Syrup	Shaving Cream
Perfume	Hummus

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 checkpoint.

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

Carry-On Food

There are two different scenarios pertaining to food: 

1. The food you bring with you to the airport, and
2. The 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 at 1 (888) 578-4806 (Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm EST) or via email to [email protected] 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

There are certain items that are considered dangerous and classified as a 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.

Items considered “dangerous goods” are prohibited under the Aer Lingus carry-on policy and include the following:

• Firearms and ammunition
• Stunning devices, mace, tear gas, and pepper spray
• Poisonous, infectious, or radioactive substances
• Sharp or pointed objects (knives, swords, cutting instruments, razors, ice skates, carpet knives, metal scissors, box cutters, or similar items) 
• Camping equipment containing flammable liquids or gasses 
• Flammable liquids, including gasoline and kerosene
• Self-Balancing devices such as hoverboards, including electric skateboards, balance boards, and gravity boards
• Medical or liquid oxygen 
• Torch lighters, lighter fluid, strike-anywhere matches, and fire starters
• Wet-cell batteries

The following items are not considered “dangerous goods” and are allowed when packaged properly, in accordance with FAA regulations

• Hiking or trekking poles
• Hair dryer/Straightener
• Hair spray
• Sunscreen/bug spray
• Food as a carry-on
• Fishing hooks
• Fragile glass items

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.