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

Nouvelair allows one piece of cabin luggage, measuring 55 x 35 x 25 cm and weighing a maximum of 8 kg, on all its destinations. An accessory may be added, such as a handbag or laptop, within the limit of 40 x 20 x 15 cm and 2 kg.

A Nouvelair 55x35x25 cabin suitcase complies with this format without having to measure it at the last minute.

The airline is strict about weight: if it exceeds 8 kg, the luggage is charged for the excess and then placed in the hold, and checks can be performed at the boarding gate.

Nouvelair cabin baggage dimensions: 55 x 35 x 25 cm

The Nouvelair rule is simple: one piece in the cabin, 55 x 35 x 25 cm maximum, and this limit does not change from one destination to another. Whether Tunis, Djerba, or Monastir, the size remains the same. French Bee uses the exact same 55 x 35 x 25, but adds a constraint that Nouvelair does not have, since on that airline the sum of the three sides must not exceed 115 cm.

A format narrower than the European standard

The 35 cm width is the point to watch. The usual European low-cost standard allows 40 cm, i.e., 5 cm more. A cabin suitcase bought for Ryanair, Transavia, or Vueling might therefore exceed the limit on Nouvelair, even if its 55 cm height is identical.

Your luggage must be able to fit into the compartments above the seats or under the seat in front of you. As everywhere, the measurement includes wheels and handle. The full rules can be found on the official Nouvelair website.

Nouvelair cabin baggage weight: 8 kg, strictly enforced

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

What happens over 8 kg

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

Furthermore, Nouvelair reserves the right to check hand luggage at the boarding gate. If the weight, dimensions, or number of authorized pieces are exceeded, additional fees may apply and the luggage may be moved to the hold.

At 8 kg, the suitcase weighs heavily in the calculation

The 8 kg includes the suitcase itself. A hard-shell suitcase that weighs 3 kg empty leaves you only 5 kg for your things, while a 2 kg model leaves you 6 kg, which is 20% more. With such a tight allowance, the empty weight is not a mere technical detail; it is a third of what you will be able to take with you.

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

In addition to your cabin baggage, you can take an accessory measuring 40 x 20 x 15 cm, the weight of which must not exceed 2 kg. The airline specifies that the two allowances are not cumulative: the 2 kg for the accessory are not added to the 8 kg to form a joint reserve of 10 kg.

What counts as an accessory

Nouvelair accepts one of the following, and only one:

• A handbag measuring 40 x 20 x 15 cm
• A laptop, including bag, computer, 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 is very restrictive, well below the 30 cm typical of other airlines. A backpack, even a flat one, almost always exceeds this format.

No separate allowance for babies

No separate hand luggage is provided for a baby. Food, baby bottles, and the diaper bag must be placed in the parents' hand luggage without exceeding their own authorized allowance. With 8 kg shared with an infant's items, the margin becomes very thin: this is a point to anticipate before packing your suitcase, not at the airport.

Liquids and prohibited items in the cabin on Nouvelair

Departing from European airports, Nouvelair applies the regulations on liquids common to all airlines. Your bottles are limited to 100 ml per container and must fit into a transparent resealable one-liter bag, presented separately at security.

The 100 ml rule

This covers gels, creams, perfumes, drinks, and pasty products like toothpaste. It is the capacity printed on the bottle that counts, not the remaining volume: a 200 ml container that is half empty will be refused. Liquid medication over 100 ml is accepted upon presentation of a prescription, as is baby milk.

Batteries and electronic cigarettes

Lithium batteries, power banks, and electronic cigarettes must travel in the cabin and never in the hold. With Nouvelair, this rule deserves special attention: since your cabin luggage might be moved to the hold in case of excess, keep your batteries in your accessory, which stays with you.

Nouvelair checked baggage: two different policies

Nouvelair's checked baggage follows two types of logic depending on the destination. A piece-based allowance applies for Turkey, and a weight-based allowance for all other destinations.

The maximum weight allowed per item is 32 kg on all flights. Beyond 32 kg, or if the luggage exceeds 158 cm in total dimensions, it is considered oversized and handled separately. The precise conditions of your allowance vary according to the flight and are shown on your ticket: this is the only document that is legally binding.

If you are unsure about what should be checked in rather than staying with you, the list of items accepted in registered luggage details the breakdown.

Choosing a cabin suitcase suitable for Nouvelair

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

Length comes first. Check the 35 cm, not just the 55 cm height, because it is on this measurement that most European suitcases exceed the limit. A suitcase sold as a standard cabin size may perfectly well measure 40 cm in length and be refused.

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

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

Frequently asked questions about Nouvelair cabin baggage