Jet2, Ryanair, Easyjet, TUI and Virgin's small bag rules in full

When planning a trip away, it's essential to make every penny count. Without sufficient preparation, you can find yourself faced with added costs - all of which can start the moment you set foot in the airport.

Most UK-based airlines provide their passengers with the option of a complimentary carry-on bag. This allows frugal travellers to pack necessary items without having to fork out extra for checked-in luggage.

However, the chosen bag must adhere to specific rules. Overstepping the limits by even a small fraction can result in an unexpected charge and dampen your holiday spirit before it even gets underway.

We've put together information about the key airlines that holidaymakers will likely be using to escape their everyday pressures and chores back home in the United Kingdom, in search of rest or adventure abroad. Here are the exact measurements you'll have to comply with if you want to save some cash on your travel plans, reports Wales Online.

British Airways:

All ticket types from British Airways, including BA Cityflyer and BA Euroflyer, come with the provision of a cabin bag and handbag. Handbags should be placed beneath the seat allocated to you and can contain essential items like medicine, mobiles, other electronic goods and passports.

They can weigh up to 23 kilos while fitting within these dimensions: 40 x 30 x 15cm.

Cabin bags share the same weight restriction but they aren't allowed to carry "valuables, electronics or essential medicines" and "may need to go in the hold", as per the rules on the British Airways website. Their size should not exceed 56 x 45 x 25cm - this includes wheels and handles.

EasyJet:

The airline's website states: "Everyone can bring one small under seat cabin bag per person on board for free. It can be a maximum size of 45 x 36 x 20 cm (including any handles and wheels) and must be kept under the seat in front of you."

"That should be enough to bring all the essentials for your journey or for a short trip. Your bag can weigh up to 15kg, but we do ask that you're able to lift and carry it yourself."

Before boarding, EasyJet staff will ensure that cabin bags meet the required dimensions. If your bag exceeds the allowed size or if you attempt to take a large cabin bag to the gate without having selected the appropriate seat or pre-booked it for your flight, it won't be permitted in the cabin.

A spokesperson for the airline commented: "We'll have to check it into the aircraft hold and charges will apply". The website further clarifies that an "Airport Bag Fee" of £48 will be levied.

Jet2:

Over at Jet2, their website specifies that passengers are allowed one piece of hand luggage on board at no extra cost, provided it does not exceed 10kg and measures no more than 56cm x 45cm x 25cm, including wheels and handles.

Should your hand luggage be heavier or larger than these dimensions, it will be necessary to check it into the hold, potentially incurring additional fees.

The website clarifies: "All hand luggage is carried in the cabin at our discretion, and we reserve the right to check it into the aircraft hold for operational or capacity reasons. If this is the case, you must ensure that you remove all valuable items (including travel documents, money, medication, keys, spare lithium batteries, as well as any electronic items containing lithium batteries) and carry these with you in the cabin."

Ryanair:

Ryanair's policy includes a small personal bag as part of all passenger fares, which has to fit under the seat in front of you. Acceptable items include a laptop bag or rucksack adhering to dimensions of 40cm x 20cm x 25cm.

Options to increase your allowance are available for an additional fee.

The airline further notes: "If your small bag or 10kg cabin bag does not fit in the baggage sizers, which are placed at every boarding gate, we will tag your bag and place it in the aircraft hold subject to payment of a gate bag fee. You can collect it on the baggage carousel at your arrival airport. Priority and 2 Cabin Bags is sold out."

TUI Airways:

TUI Airways outlines their regulations stating: "You can take one piece of hand luggage per person (excluding infants) weighing up to 10kg and with maximum dimensions of 55 x 40 x 20cm on a TUI Airways flight. You must be able to lift your hand luggage into the overhead storage compartments yourself."

"You can bring a Trunki case as hand luggage, as long as it weighs no more than 10kg. In addition to the piece of hand luggage, you can also bring one small personal item, like a laptop or a handbag, and this must be small enough to be stored under the seat in front of you."

Virgin Atlantic:

Travelling with Virgin, all tickets include provisions for hand baggage. Your carry-on bag should not exceed the size dimensions: 23 x 36 x 56cm.

Remember, you should be able to safely stow your hand baggage in the overhead bins without assistance.

For children up to 23 months old, they are allowed one bag each, with a weight limit of up to 6kg (or 13lb). For those over the age of two, they are entitled to the same hand baggage allowance as an adult, as per the cabin allowances detailed above.