Backpack for the plane – which cabin backpack should you choose?

A good backpack for air travel should primarily comply with the airline’s limits, but its dimensions are only the beginning. Low weight, convenient packing, a well-designed interior, and quick access to documents or electronics also matter. If you are travelling with Ryanair or Wizz Air without additional baggage, a cabin backpack that fits within the free carry-on baggage limit and can be placed under the seat is particularly practical.

Article at a glance

• A free backpack for air travel on Ryanair and Wizz Air may measure a maximum of 40 × 30 × 20 cm.
• This cabin backpack must fit under the seat in front of the passenger.
• On Wizz Air, free baggage measuring 40 × 30 × 20 cm may weigh up to 10 kg.
• A good backpack should have a lightweight construction, a practical interior, and comfortable shoulder straps.
• The WINGS range includes models designed specifically for air travel.

Which backpack for air travel is suitable as free carry-on baggage?

If you want to travel without paying extra for larger cabin baggage, size is the most important factor. Both Ryanair and Wizz Air currently allow passengers to take one small piece of baggage free of charge, with maximum dimensions of 40 × 30 × 20 cm. The baggage must fit under the seat.

In practice, this is precisely why a backpack for air travel is one of the most convenient solutions. Unlike a rigid suitcase, its construction is more flexible, and its rectangular compartment may allow you to make better use of the available space.

However, it is important to remember that a regular city backpack will not always be a good choice. If it becomes significantly deeper when packed, has protruding pockets, or an unusual shape, it may exceed the permitted limit. That is why, for low-cost flights, it is best to choose a cabin backpack designed specifically for air travel.

40 × 30 × 20 cm cabin backpack – why is this size so practical?

The 40 × 30 × 20 cm size is particularly important for people flying with Ryanair and Wizz Air, as it corresponds to the current limit for free small baggage on both airlines.

This cabin backpack works well for a city break, a weekend trip, or a short business trip. With sensible packing, it can hold a change of clothes, a small toiletry bag, electronics, documents, and basic accessories.

For Wizz Air, a small bag of these dimensions may weigh up to 10 kg. Ryanair, on the other hand, focuses primarily on the required size and the need to place the bag under the seat.

What should distinguish a good cabin backpack?

Not every backpack for air travel is equally convenient. When choosing one, it is worth paying attention to several specific features.

Rectangular compartment and wide opening

The more regular the backpack’s shape, the easier it is to use its interior. A classic urban backpack that tapers towards the top often loses some of its available space. A cabin backpack with a more rectangular design allows you to arrange clothes more effectively and use almost its entire capacity.

A wide opening also makes packing easier and means you do not have to remove half of the contents to find something at the bottom.

Laptop compartment

If you are travelling with a computer, a separate laptop compartment is a great convenience. Your equipment remains separate from clothes and toiletries, and you can take it out more quickly during security screening.

This allows a good cabin backpack to serve simultaneously as travel luggage and a backpack for electronics.

Pockets and interior organization

It is useful to keep documents, your phone, headphones, a charger, or a wallet close at hand. That is why a practical backpack for air travel should have several pockets, but not too many. Too many small compartments can limit the main storage space.

A separate pocket for small items and space for things you need quick access to at the airport are particularly useful.

Low weight

The lighter the backpack itself, the more comfortable it will be to carry once packed. This is especially important when travelling for several hours between the airport, public transport, and your accommodation.

Ryanair backpack for air travel – what dimensions should you choose?

If you are travelling with Ryanair and do not purchase additional baggage, your backpack for air travel should fit within 40 × 30 × 20 cm. This baggage is included in the basic allowance and must fit under the seat.

If you purchase the Priority & 2 Cabin Bags option, you can also bring a larger cabin bag measuring up to 55 × 40 × 20 cm and weighing up to 10 kg, which goes in the overhead compartment.

When choosing a cabin backpack for Ryanair, it is therefore worth deciding first whether it should be a free small bag or a larger bag carried as part of an additional service.

Wizz Air backpack for air travel – what is the applicable limit?

On Wizz Air, you can bring a backpack measuring 40 × 30 × 20 cm and weighing up to 10 kg at no extra charge. As with Ryanair, it must fit under the seat.

After purchasing WIZZ Priority, you can also bring a trolley bag with maximum dimensions of 55 × 40 × 23 cm and a weight of up to 10 kg.

If you often fly with both carriers, a cabin backpack that fits within the 40 × 30 × 20 cm allowance is particularly practical, as one model can meet the free allowance for both Ryanair and Wizz Air.

Which backpack for air travel should you choose from the WINGS range?

The choice of a particular model depends primarily on how you pack. One backpack for air travel may work best for someone who wants to make maximum use of the space for clothing, another for very light travel, and another when you want the option of carrying your luggage either as a backpack or a bag.

COMPRESA - a backpack for air travel with a vacuum compression system

If making the most of the available space is your top priority, the WINGS COMPRESA vacuum backpack is worth considering. The model measures 40 × 20 × 25 cm, with the option to expand by 5 cm, and was designed as carry-on luggage for air travel. Its greatest advantage is a special compartment that allows the contents to be compressed using the included vacuum pump. This reduces the volume of packed clothing and helps make better use of the available space.

COMPRESA is especially useful when you want to take more clothes without increasing the number of luggage items. The cabin backpack also has a laptop compartment for devices up to 15.6 inches, waterproof material, a strap for attaching it to a suitcase frame, ventilated back padding, and a chest strap. It is designed for people who treat a backpack for air travel as their main luggage for a short trip, rather than simply a place for a few small items.

WINGS cabin backpack - a lightweight cabin backpack for short trips

If low weight and simplicity are your top priorities, the WINGS cabin backpack is a good choice. It measures 40 × 25 × 20 cm, weighs approximately 0.6 kg, and offers around 20 liters of capacity. This means it fits within Ryanair and Wizz Air’s free small baggage allowance, while still leaving plenty of room for the essentials needed on a short trip.

Inside, there is a spacious main compartment with straps to secure the contents. The backpack also features a waterproof pocket, a laptop compartment, and a back ventilation system. It is a model that works well for a weekend, city break, or trip where keeping your luggage as light and compact as possible matters.

TANAGER 2-in-1 – a cabin backpack that can be carried as a bag

For people who prefer more versatile solutions, the WINGS TANAGER 2-in-1 is an interesting option. It is a compact cabin backpack measuring 40 × 25 × 15 cm, weighing approximately 0.8 kg, with a capacity of approximately 21 liters. Its design complies with Ryanair and Wizz Air’s free baggage allowance.

The most important difference is that it can also be used as a bag. This is useful when you do not want to carry your baggage on your back all the time after arriving, or when you need a more versatile option while getting around the city. TANAGER also has a suitcase handle strap, a ventilated back panel, and a well-designed pocket layout. It is a particularly interesting backpack for air travel for people who want to combine compact cabin baggage with greater flexibility in how they carry it.

Which WINGS backpack for air travel should you choose?

The simplest way to choose a model is to match it to your travel style:

• COMPRESA – if you want to make the most of the available space and need clothing compression,
• CBP02 – if you are looking for a lightweight, simple backpack for free carry-on baggage,
• TANAGER 2-in-1 – if you want to carry your baggage both as a backpack and as a bag.

Each of these models meets slightly different needs, so the best cabin backpack is not always the most feature-rich one. The most important thing is to choose one suited to the length of your trip, your packing style, and how you plan to use the baggage after you arrive.

How much can you pack in a 40 × 30 × 20 cm backpack?

A lot depends on how you pack, but for a short trip, this type of backpack for air travel can easily fit:

• 2–3 T-shirts,
• trousers or a lightweight sweatshirt,
• underwear and socks,
• a small toiletry bag,
• chargers and electronics,
• documents,
• a small laptop or tablet, if the backpack has a suitable compartment.

You can free up the most space by limiting toiletries to travel-size versions and using special travel organizers, which make packing easier.

Cabin backpack or suitcase—which works better?

With free under-seat baggage, a cabin backpack is usually more practical. It can be comfortably carried on your back, makes it easier to move around on stairs and public transport, and its soft construction makes better use of the limited size allowance.

A cabin suitcase, in turn, has an advantage with larger amounts of luggage when you want a rigid structure, protection for the contents, and the convenience of wheeling your luggage.

That is why the choice depends primarily on the type of trip. For a short city break, a good travel backpack will often be sufficient. For a longer trip, a larger suitcase may be more convenient.

The most common mistakes when choosing a backpack for air travel

The problem most often arises when a backpack is chosen solely based on its capacity or appearance.

It is worth avoiding:

• buying a backpack without checking its exact dimensions,
• stuffing it so full that it exceeds the permitted depth,
• choosing a heavy model with many unnecessary features,
• assuming that every small backpack automatically meets the carrier’s limits.

A good cabin backpack should be designed for a specific way of travelling. In this case, air travel.

FAQ – frequently asked questions about backpacks for air travel

Which Ryanair backpack should you choose without paying extra?

The safest choice is a cabin backpack measuring no more than 40 × 30 × 20 cm, as this is Ryanair’s current limit for free small baggage.

Which Wizz Air backpack is free of charge?

Wizz Air allows passengers to take a 40 × 30 × 20 cm backpack weighing up to 10 kg free of charge, provided it fits under the seat.

Can one cabin backpack be suitable for both Ryanair and Wizz Air?

Yes. A model measuring no more than 40 × 30 × 20 cm complies with the current free allowance of both airlines.

Can an ordinary backpack be used as carry-on baggage?

Yes, if its actual packed dimensions fit within the carrier’s limit. It does not have to be labelled as a cabin backpack, but a specially designed model usually makes better use of the available space.

Is a backpack enough for a weekend trip?

In many cases, yes. With sensible packing, a compact cabin backpack can be enough for 2–3 days, especially with lightweight clothing and travel-size toiletries.

How do you choose the best backpack for air travel?

The best backpack for air travel is not necessarily the largest model that can fit within the limit. Much more important are a well-utilized interior, low weight, and comfort while moving around.

If you frequently travel with Ryanair or Wizz Air and want to avoid additional baggage fees, it is worth choosing a cabin backpack designed specifically for air travel. In the WINGS range, you will find both lightweight models for short flights and more versatile backpacks with compression or 2-in-1 functionality, making it easier to adapt your luggage to your own way of travelling.