Cabin Trolley, Underseater or Checked Baggage - What Do You Choose? (2026)
When you book a flight these days you choose your own baggage — and that choice can easily save you tens of euros. But what is the difference between an underseater, a cabin trolley and checked baggage, and what do you actually need? In this 2026 buying guide you will see the size, the cost and the right moment to pick each type.
The three kinds of baggage at a glance
| Type | Where | Typical size | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Underseater (small bag) | Under the seat in front of you | 40 x 30 x 20 cm | Usually free |
| Cabin bag / trolley | In the overhead locker above you | 55 x 40 x 20 cm, often max 10 kg | Often paid (Priority) |
| Checked baggage | In the hold (checked in) | Varies | Paid, 10–23 kg |
Sizes and prices differ per airline and can change. As of June 2026 — always check your own flight.
1. Underseater: free and often more than enough
The underseater is the bag that fits under the seat in front of you, and with almost every airline it is free. That sounds small, but with a cleverly designed model (such as a 40 x 30 cm backpack that opens like a suitcase) you take a surprising amount with you. For a weekend, a city trip or a business trip this is usually all you need — and you pay nothing extra.
The ideal underseater
Lundholm Underseater — 40 x 30 x 16 cm, 22L, opens like a suitcase, with a 15.6" laptop compartment, TSA lock and waterproof material. Free under the seat.
€ 49.95 € 64.95
Bags and leather goods ship within the EU only. Jewelry ships worldwide. Free shipping within the EU from EUR 100.
2. Cabin bag / trolley: more space, usually for a fee
The larger cabin bag (up to roughly 55 x 40 x 20 cm) goes in the overhead locker above you and offers more room — handy for a long weekend or a week without much stuff. With budget airlines it is normally part of a paid package (such as Priority). Do the math on whether the surcharge is worth it; often you can manage with the free underseater alone.
3. Checked baggage: for long trips and families
Checked baggage is checked in and travels in the hold. This is the choice for longer vacations, families or when you take a lot with you (think liquids over 100 ml, heavy winter clothing or gifts). It always costs extra, and on arrival you lose time waiting at the belt.
Which one is right for you? A quick guide
Weekend / city trip / business trip — an underseater is usually enough, and free. Keep the money.
Long weekend or a week, light packer — underseater, or add a cabin bag if you want more room.
Vacation of 1–2 weeks / family — checked baggage, possibly with the underseater as your personal item.
The golden tip: always start with the free underseater and see whether you fit inside it. Nine times out of ten you pay nothing extra.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between an underseater and a cabin bag?
An underseater is the small bag that fits under the seat in front of you (usually free, up to 40 x 30 x 20 cm). A cabin bag or trolley is larger (up to roughly 55 x 40 x 20 cm), goes in the overhead locker above you and is often paid with budget airlines.
What is the cheapest way to bring baggage?
The free underseater below the seat. As long as everything fits in it, you pay nothing extra. A well-organized 40 x 30 cm travel backpack gets the most out of that space.
Do I need checked baggage for a weekend?
Usually not. For a weekend or a city trip an underseater on its own is often plenty. Checked baggage mainly makes sense for longer trips, families, or when you bring liquids over 100 ml or a lot of clothing.
Is a backpack hand luggage or cabin baggage?
That depends on the size. A backpack up to 40 x 30 x 20 cm counts as the small (free) piece of hand luggage under the seat. A larger backpack may count as a cabin bag in the overhead locker, which is often paid.
How many kilos may hand luggage weigh?
For the free small bag there is often mainly a size limit; for the paid cabin bag it is usually 10 kg at most. Weight limits differ per airline — check your own flight.
Love, the Lundholm team
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