Best Underseat Trolley 2026 — Tested on 40×30×20 cm (Wheels Included)

Comparison Test 2026

Best Underseat Trolley 2026

Tested on the only metric that matters: 40×30×20 cm including wheels

Almost every brand calls their trolley an "underseat bag." But most exceed the limit once you add the wheels. We took the most popular models and put them to one hard test: do they actually fly free under the seat at Transavia, Ryanair, Eurowings and easyJet — wheels included?

Conclusion Of all the trolleys tested, the FRENKY is the only one guaranteed to stay within 40×30×20 cm — even when fully packed.
FRENKY Underseat Trolley at Eurowings airport — guaranteed free as personal item 40x30x20 cm including wheels

The FRENKY Trolley at Eurowings — fits as a personal item and flies for free.

The criterion

Why 40×30×20 cm including wheels is the only metric that matters

Airlines are getting stricter. Transavia, Ryanair, easyJet, TUI and Eurowings all use 40×30×20 cm as the maximum size for a free personal item — the bag you can place under the seat in front of you at no extra cost.

The problem: most trolleys advertise their dimensions without wheels and handle. But at the gate, those count too. A trolley measuring 40×30×18 cm can total 40×30×22 cm with its wheels — and then you pay.

In this test we always measure the total external size including wheels, feet and handle. That's the only dimension that matters at the gate.

Two FRENKY trolleys under the airplane seat — fits guaranteed as personal item 40x30x20

Proof: FRENKY under the seat. No gate stress.

Overview

Comparison table — underseat trolleys 2026

Trolley Size (incl. wheels) Fits 40×30×20? Free on Transavia? Price
FRENKY Underseat Trolley Winner 40×30×20 cm ✔ Guaranteed ✔ Free €169
Samsonite Urbify 45×35×20 cm ✖ No ✖ Extra charge ~€110
Lipault Foldable Plume Mini 45×32×20 cm ✖ No ✖ Extra charge ~€130
Airback FLEX 40×30×20 cm* ⚠ When not overpacked ⚠ Usually free €239

* Official size. The bag is expandable — when fully packed, depth may exceed 20 cm.
Dimensions are total external measurements including wheels, feet and handle. Prices are approximate.

Full review

All models reviewed

1. FRENKY Underseat Trolley — €169

✔ Fits under the seat
Size incl. wheels
40×30×20 cm
Transavia / Ryanair
Free ✔
Vacuum system
5–7 days
Wheels
Flush frame

The FRENKY is built around one principle: the total external size — wheels included — must be exactly 40×30×20 cm. This is achieved through a specially designed frame where the wheels sit flush, adding no extra height to the total dimensions.

What sets it further apart: the built-in vacuum system. By pumping air out of your clothes you can fit 5 to 7 days of clothing into a bag that still fits under the seat — even when fully packed. No hold luggage. No waiting at the baggage belt.

FRENKY Trolley flush wheels — total size 40x30x20 cm including wheels guaranteed

Wheels flush in the frame — they don't count as extra size.

FRENKY Trolley packed — 5 to 6 days clothing in 40x30x20 cm underseat format

5–7 days of clothes — fits in the underseat format.

FRENKY Underseat Trolley open interior — spacious and organised

Clean interior — usable with or without the vacuum bag.

2. Samsonite Urbify — ~€110

✖ Too large
Size incl. wheels
45×35×20 cm
Transavia / Ryanair
Extra charge ✖
Vacuum system
No
Wheels
Protruding

Samsonite markets the Urbify as an "underseat" bag, but it measures 45×35×20 cm. That's 5 cm too wide and 5 cm too tall for the personal item limit at Transavia, Ryanair and TUI. At strict gate checks you risk a surcharge of €30 to €70.

The Urbify does fit easyJet's more generous limit (45×36×20 cm), but not most other European budget airlines.

3. Lipault Foldable Plume Mini — ~€130

✖ Too large
Size incl. wheels
45×32×20 cm
Transavia / Ryanair
Extra charge ✖
Vacuum system
No
Wheels
Protruding

The Lipault Foldable Plume Mini is a lightweight, foldable trolley with a nice finish. But at 45×32×20 cm it's 5 cm too tall for the personal item limit at Transavia, Ryanair and TUI. Lipault claims it fits "underseat" on some airlines — but not on the major budget carriers.

4. Airback FLEX — €239

⚠ More expensive
Size incl. wheels
40×30×20 cm*
Transavia / Ryanair
Usually free ⚠
Vacuum system
Yes
Wheels
Yes

The Airback FLEX officially measures 40×30×20 cm and flies free as a personal item on most airlines. It's a solid bag. The catch: it's expandable by design. Once fully packed, the depth may exceed the 20 cm limit. Airback calls this a feature — more packing space. For FRENKY it works the other way around: the vacuum system compresses your clothes so the bag stays within the size limit even when fully packed.

The other difference: the FLEX costs €239 — €70 more than the FRENKY Trolley. And it's primarily a backpack that rolls, not a dedicated trolley.

Our pick

The only trolley that always makes it

Of all the models tested, the FRENKY Underseat Trolley is the only one that guarantees 40×30×20 cm — even when fully packed. The vacuum system keeps everything within the limit. No gate fees. €70 less than the closest alternative.

View the FRENKY Trolley →

Frequently asked questions

Everything you need to know

What is the standard size for an underseat trolley?

Most major European airlines use 40×30×20 cm as the maximum size for a personal item under the seat. This includes Transavia, Ryanair, easyJet, TUI and Eurowings. Crucially: this is the total external size including wheels and handle.

Does the Samsonite Urbify fit under the seat on Transavia?

No. The Samsonite Urbify measures 45×35×20 cm — 5 cm too wide and 5 cm too tall for Transavia and Ryanair's personal item limit. At strict gate checks you risk a surcharge.

What makes the FRENKY Trolley unique compared to other underseat trolleys?

The FRENKY is the only trolley that guarantees 40×30×20 cm even when fully packed. The wheels sit flush inside the frame, and the vacuum system keeps your clothes compressed within the size limit — so you never have to worry at the gate.

Can an underseat trolley fly free on Transavia?

Yes, Transavia allows a personal item of maximum 40×30×20 cm for free under the seat. The FRENKY Trolley fits exactly within this — wheels included, even when fully packed. Larger trolleys like the Samsonite Urbify (45×35×20 cm) or Lipault Foldable Plume (45×32×20 cm) exceed this limit.

How much clothing fits in the FRENKY Underseat Trolley?

Thanks to the built-in vacuum system, the FRENKY Trolley fits 5 to 7 days of clothing while staying within the 40×30×20 cm limit — even when fully packed.

No more gate fees. Ever.

The FRENKY Underseat Trolley — guaranteed 40×30×20 cm including wheels.

View the trolley