We have all been tempted by cheap airline deals which sometimes seem too good to be true. But turning up at the airport, many passengers can be slapped with sly baggage fees they had not expected, leading to higher prices to bring their luggage onto flights.

Dreaded departure lounge bag crates force customers to wedge hand luggage in to show they meet requirements and can be a faff, while larger bags can be taken away altogether and forced into the hold for a pricy sum. So instead of a nasty surprise at the gate, it’s best to double-check the terms of travel for the airline you’re travelling with.

Here we share some major airline regulations to help ensure both you and your luggage are guaranteed a smooth flight with no unexpected fees.

easyJet

This budget carrier gives customers one item of free hand luggage, such as a rucksack, which must be placed under the seat in front of you. It can measure up to 45 x 36 x 20cm and should not weigh more than 15kg, with these measurements inclusive of any handles or wheels on the bag. Alongside this, the airline offers customers the option to book a large cabin bag for flights, which includes priority boarding. Passengers who have not booked ahead, though, risk being charged a £50 fee for any hand baggage items over the allowance or outside the entitlements agreed beforehand.

Ryanair

Irish harp-bearing airline Ryanair has a reputation as one of the strictest carriers when it comes to hand baggage. Many passengers have stories of being hit with fines at the airport for luggage that did not conform to the airline’s standards. But what are the rules when it comes to flying with Ryanair?

All fares include one piece of free hand luggage, like on easyJet, but the size restrictions on this are smaller, at 40 x 20 x 25cm. Again, it must fit under the seat in front of you, so is ideal for items such as handbags or laptop cases. Any further luggage should be purchased via Ryanair’s “Priority and Two Cabin Bags” offer, which includes a 10kg bag of up to 55 x 40 x 20cm, which must be kept in the overheard locker. Alongside this, the deal includes the free item of personal baggage and usually priority boarding as well.

Though it costs up to £36 per person, the charge for this offer is a saving compared to the £75 fine which can be issued to those whose bags exceed Ryanair’s limits.

British Airways

Known as a higher-price airline than easyJet or Ryanair, BA has a hand luggage allowance to match. The carrier has a number of bookable deals, including Economy Basic, which entitles passenger to a free item of hand luggage weighing 23kg or under and not exceeding 40 x 30 x 15cm. Alongside this, passengers can bring a free cabin bag of a larger size (56 x 45 25cm) but this must be stowed away in the overhead lockers.

Jet2

Another budget airline, this carrier allows travellers a 10kg hand baggage allowance included in the price of their fare. In addition to this, passengers can bring a small bag onboard to stow under the seat in front of them, as well as a collapsible pushchair, car seat and/or travel cot for free, up to 10kg.

TUI

Package holiday gurus TUI is far from the least generous when it comes to hand baggage for its passengers. Prices include a 10kg bag which cannot be larger than 55 x 40 x 20cm, as well as a single “personal item”, such as a laptop or rucksack. This item must not be bigger than 40 x 30 x 20cm and it must be able to be stored under the seat in front of you.

The company warns that those arriving at the airport with more luggage than booked will be required to pay a fee to take the bag on board. These charges can go up to £75 per 15kg hold bag for long-haul flights over seven hours, with £18 per additional kilogram on top of this. On their website, they warn that no bag will be accepted which is over 25kg.