Yes — TUI check size and weight; stick to 55×40×20cm and 10kg, plus one 40×30×20cm under-seat item, to sail through without fees.
Flying with TUI soon? Cabin space is tight, so their limits matter. The good news: the rules are simple, clear, and predictable. Below you’ll find what counts, how checks work, and smart packing tips that save time and money.
TUI hand luggage rules in plain English
TUI allows one cabin bag per person aged two and over. The size cap is 55 x 40 x 20 cm and the weight cap is 10 kg. You can also bring one small item that slides under the seat in front, sized up to 40 x 30 x 20 cm. Staff expect you to lift your bag into the overhead locker without help.
Wheels and handles count in the measurements. Measure the deepest point of your case not just the shell. Many “cabin” suitcases are sold at 55 x 40 x 20 cm; some models run wider once packed. A tape measure avoids last-minute drama at the gate.
Policy pages: see TUI luggage allowance and TUI luggage guidelines for the exact wording, plus liquid rules and special items.
What You Can Bring
| Allowance | Size (cm) | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Cabin bag (overhead) | 55 x 40 x 20 | Up to 10 kg |
| Personal item (under-seat) | 40 x 30 x 20 | No set limit* |
*Keep it compact; it must slide fully under the seat and leave space for your feet.
How strict is TUI with hand luggage rules
Checks happen in three places: the check-in desk, the security queue, and the boarding gate. Most size disputes arise at the gate when staff use a sizer. If your bag slides in cleanly and the weight is on target, you board with no fuss. If it sticks or bulges, gate agents can send it to the hold and charge a fee set by the route and ticket type.
On busy flights, crew may tag late-boarding cabin bags for the hold even when they meet size rules. That’s about overhead space, not a penalty. Remove power banks and valuables first, then hand the case over at the aircraft door.
Weight: the quiet deal-breaker
Many travellers fixate on size and forget the scale. TUI lists 10 kg for the cabin bag. Scales appear at check-in and sometimes at the gate. If you fly with a hard case, weigh it empty at home, then weigh it again once packed. Soft bags help because you’re not spending kilos on the shell.
Handles, wheels, and pockets count
When a sizer is used, the whole bag must fit. That includes the wheels, side handles, corner guards, and stuffed front pockets. If your cabin case is a tight 55 x 40 x 20 cm, keep the front pocket flat and avoid cramming a jacket inside it. Little bulges push cases over the depth limit.
Are TUI Airways strict about cabin bags
Short answer: steady and fair. Staff apply the published limits and rely on sizers when needed. Reports of spot checks rise during peak season and on full flights, since bins fill fast. If you stay within 55 x 40 x 20 cm and 10 kg, you’ll pass without a hitch.
Flying from Ireland, Belgium, or the Netherlands with a TUI flight number? Rules match the UK line: 55 x 40 x 20 cm and 10 kg, plus one under-seat item at 40 x 30 x 20 cm. Always read the allowance shown in your booking, as some trips use partner airlines with different caps.
What about liquids and tech at UK airports
Most UK airports still apply the 100 ml liquid cap and the 1-litre clear bag. A few hubs now run CT scanners with looser rules, yet many routes still require the classic setup. Check your departure airport’s page before you pack liquids, and stick to the smallest bottles to stay stress-free. The UK guidance is here: liquids in hand luggage.
Packing tips that pass TUI checks
Pick the right shell. A 20 cm-deep case gives you almost no wiggle room. Look for true 20 cm depth when loaded. If your case runs fat once stuffed, switch to a soft cabin backpack with compression straps.
Weigh as you pack. Set a scale by the suitcase and weigh in rounds. Keep chargers, meds, and a spare top in the personal item.
Use the under-seat space wisely. A 40 x 30 x 20 cm daypack holds a laptop, headphones, snacks, and a light jacket. It also keeps your valuables with you if the overhead bins fill up.
Wear your bulkiest layers. Put trainers and knitwear on your body, not in your case. That frees space and keeps weight down.
Pack liquids tight. Decant to 100 ml or less and group bottles in a single pouch. If your trip starts at an airport with relaxed rules, the return airport may still run the 100 ml cap, so plan both ways.
Know what can’t fly. Power banks live in the cabin, not the hold. Sharp tools, big aerosols, and camping fuel belong in checked bags. See TUI’s page on luggage guidelines for item-by-item notes.
Where size and weight get checked
Airports vary, yet the flow is the same. You may meet a quick glance at the desk, a security officer who spots a bulging case, or a gate agent with a sizer at the podium. Early birds face fewer sizers because bins are still open and the queue moves faster.
Checks And Outcomes
| Spot | What staff look for | If you’re over |
|---|---|---|
| Check-in desk | Weight and a quick size scan | Bag may be checked for a fee |
| Security | Bulky shapes and packed pockets | Sent back to desk or repack |
| Boarding gate | Sizer test and late-bag culls | Gate check with charge; remove valuables |
Common sizer pitfalls to avoid
Stuffed front pockets. Keep them flat. A charger brick or thick book in the front sleeve can push the depth past 20 cm.
Rigid corner guards. Some cases add chunky plastic feet that catch on the sizer rim. If yours does, switch to a slimmer model.
Expandable zips left open. Many suitcases have a second zip that adds depth. Keep it closed for TUI flights.
Unwieldy soft duffels. They can balloon after you zip them. Use compression straps and pack cubes to hold the shape.
Wobbly tape-measure math. Measure twice at home, once when packed. Include the wheels and side handles every time.
Edge cases: skis, pushchairs, and medical needs
Ski boots count as a cabin bag only when they fit within 55 x 40 x 20 cm and 10 kg. If not, book them as sports gear. Pushchairs, car seats, and travel cots ride for free on most family tickets, yet they are checked to the hold. Bring a sling so your hands stay free in the terminal.
Medicine and equipment can travel in the cabin. Keep prescriptions handy and pack liquid meds together. Security may scan them separately. If a device needs battery power, keep the battery in the cabin. If in doubt, check the airline page and your airport’s guidance.
Real-world sizing: make your bag pass first time
Do a home trial. Print a 55 x 40 x 20 cm rectangle on cardboard, or tape out the footprint on the floor, then test your packed case. If it scrapes the edges, it will scrape a sizer. Switch to thinner shoes, move your wash bag to the under-seat pack, and try again.
Check the load path. Hard cases often sag at the zip once full, adding a sneaky centimetre or two. Fasten compression straps inside and lock the outer zip tabs. Keep the front pocket flat. If you fly with a soft cabin backpack, tighten the side straps until it matches the 20 cm depth.
Think in kits. Pack small pouches you can move in seconds, so shifting weight to the under-seat bag is easy.
TUI strict on hand luggage: what to expect at busy times
School breaks and bank holidays bring full flights. Gate staff speed up boarding by lining sizers near the podium. Arrive early, keep straps tidy, and carry your boarding pass ready to scan. If your case meets the box and the scale, the agent moves you along quickly.
Running late? That’s when small over-packs get noticed. A tidy case and a calm handover help. If the agent asks to gate-check, take out your laptop, passport, and meds, then accept the tag. Your case goes to the hold and you pick it up on the belt at your destination.
Smart packing list for a no-fee trip
Under-seat daypack: passport wallet, phone, chargers, headphones, laptop or tablet, snacks, refillable bottle (empty for security), light layer, small pouch for a spare ring and receipts.
Cabin case: two tops, one pair of trousers or a dress, underwear and socks, compact shoes, wash bag with 100 ml bottles, sun cream stick, lip balm, sunglasses case, spare tote bag.
Top pocket: boarding pass, a pen, tissues, spare mask if you prefer, a tiny tape measure, and a luggage scale.
When your trip uses another airline
Some TUI packages fly out on TUI and back on a partner, or switch both ways. Your booking shows the flight number. TUI numbers start with TOM or BY. If you see a different code, click through to that airline’s page and read its cabin limits. Matching both legs keeps you safe.
Two common twists: TUI fly Belgium and TUI Ireland publish the same 55 x 40 x 20 cm and 10 kg line for cabin bags, with the 40 x 30 x 20 cm under-seat item. A few Nordic and charter operations use tighter weights. If your ticket mentions a 5 kg cap, pack with a soft bag and move dense items to a coat pocket or the under-seat pack.
Carry-on extras and family rules
You can buy duty-free after security. Keep the till receipt with the bag until you reach your hotel. If you connect through another airport, place liquids in the sealed duty-free bag so security can see the label.
Adults and children aged two and over share the same cabin limits. Laps infants don’t get a cabin bag, yet families can bring baby milk, food, and wipes through security in sensible amounts. Keep them together in a clear pouch to speed the search. Pushchairs and car seats travel free to the aircraft steps, then go to the hold and return to the jet bridge or belt on arrival.
Keep small extras tidy. A compact umbrella slips into the daypack side pocket. Leave space in the under-seat bag for small buys at the airport.
Cabin packing checklist that saves money
Documents and cash: passport, visas where needed, insurance, bank cards, and a small stash of local currency for taxis and tips.
Health kit: prescription copies, meds, plasters, hand gel, motion pills, and a spare pair of glasses. Liquid meds can exceed 100 ml with proof.
Tech kit: phone, laptop or tablet, power bank, universal adapter, and spare cables. Power banks must stay in the cabin.
Comfort kit: eye mask, earplugs, thin scarf, and a collapsible bottle. Fill it after security at the water fountain.
Wardrobe: a simple colour plan makes mixing outfits easy. Pick fabrics that resist creasing and that dry overnight in a sink.
Bottom line
TUI’s cabin rules are clear: 55 x 40 x 20 cm and 10 kg for the overhead case, plus one 40 x 30 x 20 cm under-seat item. Measure wheels and handles, watch the scale, and keep pockets flat. Do that and TUI won’t feel strict at all — you’ll breeze from the door to your seat. Measure twice, weigh once, and you’ll board with a smile. Pack calm and arrive early, hydrated and rested.