Yes—Pegasus checks hand luggage closely: Light fares on international routes allow only a 40×30×15 cm, 3 kg under-seat bag; oversize or extras draw fees.
Flying with Pegasus and worried about that carry-on? You’re not alone. Rules depend on your fare and route, and checks can be firm. The good news: once you know what your ticket includes and what sizes count, you can breeze through the sizer and board with zero drama.
This guide spells out what Pegasus allows on board, where checks happen, and how to pack so your bag clears first time. You’ll also find quick tables for sizes and weights, plus smart packing moves that keep you within limits without feeling cramped.
What Your Pegasus Ticket Includes
Your allowance changes by route and package. Use this table to see what your booking likely includes at a glance.
| Ticket / Route | Included hand items | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Domestic Turkey (any package) | One cabin bag up to 55×40×20 cm, 8 kg | No separate underseat item; keep everything in that single bag. |
| International / North Cyprus — Light | One underseat bag up to 40×30×15 cm, 3 kg | No overhead cabin bag unless you add it; one piece means one piece. |
| International / North Cyprus — Saver, Saver Plus, Comfort Flex | Underseat bag 40×30×15 cm, 3 kg + one cabin bag 55×40×20 cm, 8 kg | Two pieces on board: one under the seat, one in the bin. |
Always check your booking for the exact package name. Pegasus lists sizes and weights in its baggage allowance and in the legal general rules. These pages match what you see above.
Pegasus Hand Luggage Rules: How Strict Are They?
Expect staff to watch both size and weight. On full flights the sizer comes out at the gate, and agents weigh borderline bags more often on routes where bins fill fast. If your fare includes only an underseat bag, a second piece gets flagged quickly; if your fare includes a cabin bag, they still check 55×40×20 cm and 8 kg.
Domestic trips are simpler: one cabin bag up to 8 kg, no second personal item. International and North Cyprus trips hinge on the package: Light allows just the 40×30×15 cm, 3 kg underseat item; Saver, Saver Plus, and Comfort Flex add a standard cabin bag. The wording in Pegasus’ allowance makes this crystal clear.
Where Checks Usually Happen
- Check-in desks: Staff eyeball size and may weigh hand bags while printing your boarding pass.
- Security lanes: Trays reveal bulging cases and extra items stashed outside your main bag.
- Boarding gate: Final pass. This is where sizers and scales decide if a fee or gate-check kicks in.
Strict With Cabin Bag On Pegasus? Real-World Tips
Measure before you pack. A hard case that truly matches 55×40×20 cm passes more smoothly than a swollen soft bag. Weigh at home with a small scale and leave a buffer of 0.3–0.5 kg for airport drift. If you’re on Light, treat that underseat rule as literal: one bag only, not one plus a purse.
Pack heavy, dense items low and near the wheels so the case sits flat in the sizer. Move chargers, a thin sweater, and snacks to jacket pockets while you’re weighed, then place them back once you clear the scale. Wear your bulkiest shoes, and roll clothing to remove dead space.
Keep documents, meds, devices, and a small hygiene kit in the underseat bag on packages that allow two pieces. That bag should slide under the seat in front quickly so you board without blocking the aisle.
What Triggers A Fee Or Gate-Check
- Extra piece on Light: Any second item usually draws a charge or gets tagged for the hold.
- Oversize shell: If the case sticks out of the sizer frame or won’t drop in without force.
- Overweight cabin bag: Readings above 8 kg for the overhead item often lead to payment or offloading.
- Loose shopping: Duty-free counts toward your limit unless it’s handled at the gate per local rules.
If you need overhead space on a Light booking, add a cabin bag in Manage Booking before you fly. It’s usually cheaper than paying at the gate.
Taking Hand Luggage On Pegasus: What Counts As One Bag
Pegasus spells out two items by name: an underseat bag and a cabin bag. On many international tickets the underseat item is always included, and its limit is 40×30×15 cm, 3 kg. The cabin bag, when your package includes it or you buy it, is capped at 55×40×20 cm and 8 kg. Domestic flights allow one cabin bag up to those 55×40×20 cm and 8 kg limits and do not include a second personal item.
A handbag, camera case, or laptop sleeve still counts toward your piece limit. One means one. If you’re carrying a coat, keep it on your person during boarding rather than clipping it to the handle; trolley straps turn coats into a second bag at a glance.
Size And Weight Cheat Sheet
Bookmark these numbers and you’ll pack the right bag every time.
| Item | Max size (cm) | Max weight |
|---|---|---|
| Underseat bag (intl / North Cyprus) | 40×30×15 | 3 kg |
| Cabin bag (overhead) | 55×40×20 | 8 kg |
| Domestic hand bag | 55×40×20 | 8 kg (one piece only) |
You can read the exact wording in Pegasus’ general rules.
What About Liquids, Batteries, And Duty-Free?
Liquids in the cabin follow airport security limits. Most airports still apply the 100 ml rule, packed in a one-litre clear bag. Pegasus repeats that limit on its cabin pages. Power banks and spare lithium batteries stay in the cabin, not in the hold, which aligns with EASA guidance. If you buy duty-free, keep the receipt handy and leave seals intact until your final stop. On tight connections, ask gate staff if a second item tag is required so bags don’t get refused at the aircraft door.
Packing Strategy That Fits Pegasus Rules
Pick the right shell: A 20″ hard case with a true 55×40×20 cm footprint leaves no guesswork. For Light, use a soft 13″–15″ underseat backpack that holds shape under 40×30×15 cm.
Create a weight plan: Shoes and toiletries in the cabin bag, chargers and cables in the underseat bag, documents and meds right on top. If you’re close to 8 kg, move the heaviest small items to pockets until the weigh-in is done.
Split smart when you have two pieces: Underseat carries valuables and quick-reach items; the overhead case carries clothes and bulk. This keeps queues flowing and keeps your must-have items under your control.
Leave expansion zips closed: Expanded cases often fail the sizer by a centimetre. The neat rectangle matters more than capacity on these flights.
Route And Aircraft Factors
Busy bases like Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen see tight turns and packed bins, so agents there tend to enforce sizes cleanly to keep boarding on time. On A320 and A321 aircraft, slim hard shells stack better than bulky duffels; that makes a clean 55×40×20 cm profile a safer bet. Early boarding helps, yet it doesn’t replace meeting the stated limits, since checks can happen before groups are called.
Underseat Fit Tips
Seats vary, but a 40×30×15 cm bag sits flat under most rows and still leaves toe room. Keep bottles and power banks off the bottom panel so the bag compresses a touch when pushed under. If you use a tote, add a simple base board so the sides don’t balloon and snag on the seat rail.
If Your Bag Gets Stopped At The Gate
Stay calm and act fast. Open your booking on your phone and buy the cabin bag add-on if the agent offers that route. If not, pull a pouch of chargers and your passport case from the overhead bag and hand the shell over for the hold. Keep your underseat bag with you so you still have a change of clothes, meds, and tech on board.
After boarding, take notes on the exact reading and where it happened. If your return flight is Pegasus as well, adjust your pack the night before and weigh again at your hotel. A tiny tweak pays off by saving time and fees on the way back.
Five Quick Checks Before You Leave Home
- Measure the shell against 55×40×20 cm or 40×30×15 cm, depending on your package.
- Weigh each piece; aim for 7.5 kg on the overhead item to leave buffer.
- Pack liquids in a clear one-litre bag and keep it on top.
- Place valuables and meds in the underseat bag, not the overhead case.
- Screenshot your package name so you can show what your ticket includes.
With the right shell, a small scale, and a tidy pack, Pegasus hand luggage is manageable and predictable. Follow the sizes and weights, and you’ll step past the sizer with a nod and a smile.