Nouvelair Cabin Baggage: dimensions, weight, and accessories in 2026

Nouvelair allows one carry-on bag in the cabin, measuring 55 x 35 x 25 cm and weighing a maximum of 8 kg, for all its destinations. An additional accessory, such as a handbag or laptop, is permitted, within the limits of 40 x 20 x 15 cm and 2 kg.

The airline is strict about weight: if a bag exceeds 8 kg, an excess baggage fee is charged, and the bag is then placed in the hold. Checks can be carried out at the boarding gate.

Nouvelair cabin baggage dimensions: 55 x 35 x 25 cm

Nouvelair's rule is simple: one carry-on item, maximum 55 x 35 x 25 cm, and this limit remains consistent across all destinations. Whether flying to Tunis, Djerba, or Monastir, the size requirements are the same. French Bee maintains the exact same 55 x 35 x 25 cm, but adds a restriction that Nouvelair does not, as the sum of the three sides must not exceed 115 cm.

A narrower format than the European standard

The 35 cm length is the critical point. The usual European low-cost standard allows 40 cm, which is 5 cm more. A cabin suitcase purchased for Ryanair, Transavia, or Vueling may therefore exceed Nouvelair's limits, even if its height of 55 cm is identical.

Your bag must fit into the overhead compartments or under the seat in front of you. As with all airlines, the measurements include wheels and handles. The full rules can be found on the official Nouvelair website.

Nouvelair cabin baggage weight: 8 kg, checked

The maximum weight for Nouvelair cabin baggage is 8 kg. This is one of the lowest allowances in the market, and the airline does not treat it as a mere formality. Transavia applies a similar logic with 10 kg, with one crucial difference: for them, this 10 kg limit covers both the suitcase and the bag combined, whereas Nouvelair's 8 kg only applies to the cabin item, with the accessory having its own separate 2 kg allowance.

What happens if you exceed 8 kg

Passengers whose hand luggage exceeds 8 kg are charged for the excess weight, and the luggage is then placed in the hold. This means a double penalty: you pay, and you lose your luggage until it reaches the arrival carousel.

Nouvelair also reserves the right to check hand luggage at the boarding gate. In case of exceeding the authorized weight, dimensions, or number of items, additional fees may apply, and the luggage may be placed in the hold.

When the limit is 8 kg, the suitcase's weight matters a lot

The 8 kg limit includes the suitcase itself. An empty rigid suitcase weighing 3 kg leaves you with only 5 kg for your belongings, whereas a 2 kg model frees up 6 kg, which is 20% more. With such a tight allowance, the empty weight is not a mere technical detail; it accounts for a third of what you can bring.

The Nouvelair accessory: 40 x 20 x 15 cm and 2 kg

In addition to your cabin baggage, you may bring one accessory measuring 40 x 20 x 15 cm and weighing no more than 2 kg. The airline specifies that the two allowances are not cumulative: the 2 kg for the accessory is not added to the 8 kg to form a combined allowance of 10 kg.

What counts as an accessory

Nouvelair accepts one of the following:

• A handbag with dimensions of 40 x 20 x 15 cm
• A laptop, including bag, laptop, and charger
• A coat, a pair of crutches, a small camera, or binoculars
• Reading material for the duration of the trip
• Items purchased at duty-free on the day of your flight

The 20 cm length limit is very restrictive, well below the usual 30 cm on other airlines. A backpack, even a flat one, almost always exceeds this format.

No separate allowance for infants

No separate hand baggage is provided for infants. Food, bottles, and diaper bags must be placed in the parents' hand baggage, without exceeding their allowed allowance. With 8 kg shared with an infant's belongings, the margin becomes very slim: this is something to anticipate before packing, not at the airport.

Liquids and prohibited items in Nouvelair cabin

From European airports, Nouvelair applies the liquid regulations common to all airlines. Your bottles are limited to 100 ml per container and must fit into a transparent, re-sealable one-liter bag, presented separately at security control.

The 100 ml rule

This rule covers gels, creams, perfumes, drinks, and pasty products like toothpaste. It is the capacity printed on the bottle that matters, not the remaining volume: a 200 ml container that is half empty will be refused. Liquid medications over 100 ml are allowed with a prescription, as is infant formula.

Batteries and electronic cigarettes

Lithium batteries, power banks, and electronic cigarettes must always be carried in the cabin and never in checked baggage. With Nouvelair, this rule requires particular attention: since your cabin baggage may be placed in the hold if it exceeds the limits, keep your batteries in your accessory bag, which remains with you.

Nouvelair checked baggage: two different policies

Nouvelair's checked baggage policy follows two logics depending on the destination. A piece allowance applies to Turkey, and a weight allowance for all other destinations.

The maximum authorized weight per bag is 32 kg on all flights. Beyond 32 kg, or if the bag exceeds 158 cm in total dimensions, it is considered oversized and handled separately. The precise conditions of your allowance vary depending on the flight and are indicated on your ticket: this is the only document that is valid.

If you're unsure what should go into checked baggage rather than with you, the list of items allowed in checked baggage details the distribution.

Choosing a cabin suitcase suitable for Nouvelair

Nouvelair combines two restrictions that few airlines impose together: a short format of 35 cm and a low allowance of 8 kg. The choice of suitcase directly follows from this.

Length takes precedence. Check the 35 cm, and not just the 55 cm height, as this is the measurement where most European suitcases exceed the limit. A suitcase sold as a standard cabin size can perfectly measure 40 cm in length and be refused.

The empty weight then determines what you can carry. With an 8 kg limit, the difference between a 2 kg suitcase and a 3.5 kg one represents almost 20% of the allowance. It is precisely with this type of airline that the weight of the shell dictates the contents of the baggage.

If you regularly travel to Tunisia with several carriers, compare the sizes before buying. Our guides on Tunisair cabin baggage and Air France cabin rules cover other airlines serving the same routes, with significantly different allowances.

Frequently asked questions about Nouvelair cabin baggage