Airline Carry-on Luggage Size Guide

The vacations are coming, and it’s time to do the packing. So to travel light is to know the rules, and the other is to get the proper carry-on luggage. So before you get you’re boarding pass, it’s necessary to do some research beforehand. Many travel regulations differ depending on what part of the world you want to travel to. Still, Carry-on luggage size restrictions remain a constant, unchanging metric for most airlines.

This article will discover what counts as carry-on luggage, airline-specific size, weight restrictions, and what luggage to bring. You will also find the least and most typical sizes by location and globally. Then your bag is ready to travel around.

What is Carry-on Luggage?

There are different types of travel bags and luggage. Carry-on luggage is any piece of luggage that you bring on board a plane with you and keep in the overhead compartment. There are also known as hand luggage or cabin luggage. The most significant advantage of flying with carry-on bags is that you can easily transport your stuff without leaving them to the airline and hope it’ll reach your destination timely and undamaged.

There is another type of luggage bag that is checked luggage. The luggage you give the airline is transported in the aircraft’s cargo hold. It is a bit expensive and more of a nuisance because it requires a lot of time and energy to verify it from all checkpoints.

What is the Carry-on Luggage Size for Airlines?

Carryon luggage size by Airline

This carry-on size may vary by airline. But the standard domestic carry-on luggage size dimensions are 22″ x 14″ x 9″ with wheels and handles. This size restriction ensures that your bag fits in your flight’s overhead compartment.

Suppose your stuff doesn’t fit in the overhead cabin of a flight or under the seat. It might need to be checked. You may find additional carry-on bag restrictions at certain airlines. Furthermore, if you want to carry on musical instruments, they must fit in the cabin or under the seat in front of you. So, visit your airline’s site and measure your bag size before flying.

How can you Calculate Your Carry-on Bag Size?

Airlines use a specific sizer, a metal tubing frame, to measure the size of the bag. You put your luggage inside to check if it fits or not. But to measure at home, there are two methods.

Height, width, and depth

Most airlines calculate the bag’s size in inches or centimetres with this formula, such as 22 x 14 x 9 inches. Note that the measurements vary somewhat from how each airline formats its size requirements.

Linear inches

Some airlines give carry-on baggage limits in linear inches. It means you need a single number for the sum of all three dimensions. You’re okay if the height, width, and depth sum do not exceed that limit. 22″ + 14″ + 9″ = 45 linear inches.

See Related: How to Pack Travel Bags for your Vacations

What is the Weight Limit of Carry-on Luggage?

US domestic airlines mainly don’t carry the weight limit, but the other world has. The typical cabin luggage weight limit ranges from 5 kg to 12 kg, with most carriers in Asia and Australia restricting it to 7 kilograms. Most airlines don’t weigh carry-on bags. So as long as your bag doesn’t look over-stuffed, you are okay.

Pro Tip: To avoid the check-in counter (where your bag is weighed) and get directly to security, print your boarding card ahead of time or save it to the phone.

What is the Personal Item?

A personal item is a handbag you carry along the carry-on baggage. It can be a purse, pouch, laptop bag, crossbody bag, backpack, or briefcase. Each airline has its item policies, while others don’t specify anything. So it must be small and fit under the seat in front of you. Families flying with diaper bags or those travelling with unusual additions like an instrument can rest easy. Typically, a personal item maximum size is 22cm x 25cm x 43cm.

What is Allowed in Carry-on Luggage?

The things you pack in your bag are also subject to regulation. Consider the usual restrictions that apply to checked bags. You can carry some things, from small tools to electronics, but they are not explosive or harmful to anybody. Some sports equipment is asked to be transported in checked luggage.

No matter where you’re going, you can’t bring containers of liquid, paste, spray, gel, or cream security bigger than 3.4 ounces. Before the flight, ensure that you are aware of your airline’s specific policies to avoid having to discard anything at the gate.

See Related: 10 essential Things to bring on a plane

What is the Standard International Size of a Carry-on Bag?

Common Carry-on Luggage sizes

Each airline has specific luggage size requirements, which apply to local and international flights. To get accepted by all airlines, you should get a 21″ or less suitcase. You should always check the exact policy of your airline before you leave to ensure that your carry-on luggage won’t be refused or result in extra fees.

Read on to learn about the best carry-on bags to purchase based on the size requirements of various airlines.

American Airline

Carry-on baggage size: 22” x 14” x 10”

Carry-on baggage weight: No specific

A Personal item dimension: 18 x 14 x 8

American Airlines travellers with primary economy tickets can bring one carry-on bag and a personal item to all destinations. You may need to check larger carry-on bags for free at the gate while flying on smaller aircraft, especially American Eagle flights. Things that don’t count as personal items or carry on our Diaper bags, car seats, child-care items, or medical and mobility devices.

Luggage Pick: Travelpro Platinum Magna 2 Spinner wheel luggage

Travel Pro Platinum Wheeled Luggage

The only aspect of this Travelpro spinner that is constant is its size. It has been sizer bin tested to fit in most major US airlines’ overhead bins. A fully expanded carry-on might not be allowed by the airline. The bag’s main compartment is spacious and offers a tapered expansion of up to 2″, increasing the packing flexibility. Besides this feature, it has self-aligning wheels to roll the bag straight.

Delta Air Lines

Carry-on baggage size: 22” x 14” x 9” inches

Carry-on baggage weight: No limit

A Personal item: could fit under the seat

Due to space restrictions, you may be asked to check your carry-on luggage at the gate on a Delta Connection flight or an entire aircraft. But it would not cost you anything. As far as a soft-sided garment bag, its limit is up to 51 inches as a carry-on.

There are some exceptions for carry-on luggage size. There is a carry-on weight restriction of 22-pound for flights to Beijing and Shanghai and a 15-pound restriction for flights to Singapore.

For personal items, there is no specific size limit; anything that you can fit under the seat. At the same time, items like umbrellas, jackets, and duty-free goods are not considered personal items.

Luggage Pick: Briggs & Riley Baseline Soft side Carry on Luggage

Briggs and Riley Carry-on Luggage

The bag has a sleek modern design and expands up to 2.5 inches. So it is roomy, innovative, and has eight spinner wheels. Briggs & Riley products may be expensive, but they are trusted globally and offer a lifetime guarantee.

Hawaiian Airlines

Carry-on baggage size: 22” x 14” x 9” inches

Carry-on baggage weight: 25 pounds

A Personal item: that could fit under the seat

Hawaiian Airlines permit you to bring one carry-on bag that fits within the dimensions mentioned above and one personal item. Carry-ons that are too big or too heavy must be checked at the entrance, possibly for a cost.

There is no exact size limit for personal items such as purses, backpacks, laptop bags, or briefcases; they could fit under the seat.

Luggage Pick: DELSEY Paris Helium Aero Hardside Luggage

Delsey Paris Hardside Luggage

It is accessible to the main compartment and has an integrated padded sleeve for a 15.6-inch laptop. It can also expand up to 2″ and meet the standard of carry-on limitations for foreign flights. The bag has double-spinner wheels and fully lined compartments.

Frontier Airlines

Carry-on baggage size: 24 x 16 x 10 inches for an extra fee

Carry-on baggage weight: 35 pounds

A Personal item dimension: 18 x 14 x 8 inches

Frontier Airlines charges for almost all carry-on luggage. It is allowed to bring only one personal item without an extra fee. The cost of carry-on bags varies by destination. When booking a reservation, if you add luggage, it will cost you lesser rather than if you buy at the airport. The cost of a piece of carry-on luggage starts at roughly $30, so it may be less expensive to buy a checked bag.

But you are permitted to bring a carry-on bag for free if you are a FRONTIER Miles elite member or purchase a premium ticket like “the WORKS.”

Luggage Pick: Travelpro Maxlite 5 Softside Luggage

Travelpro Softside Luggage

This travel bag is an elegant design with lightweight wheels. It tapered expansion up to 2″, which allows more space to pack. It features a low-profile top, easy manoeuvring, and limited lifetime coverage. The 21-inch Travelpro Maxlite 5 is a reasonably priced carry-on bag that has received positive reviews and is approved by Frontier. This bag is lightweight and suitable for seniors.

Alaska Airlines

Carry-on baggage size: 22 x 14 x 9 inches or 45 linear inches

Carry-on baggage weight: No limit

A Personal item: One item is allowed, like a laptop bag, purse, or briefcase that fits under the front seat.

You might be required to check your carry-on luggage at the gate if you’re travelling on a smaller aircraft, such as those operated by SkyWest or Horizon Air. But there will be no extra charges. Although there isn’t a set size restriction for personal items in Alaska, anything smaller than 18 x 14 x 8 inches should be acceptable. Personal items must also fit under the seat.

The Best Carry-on to Bring : eBags Fortis Pro USB Carry-On Spinner

ebags USB carryon spinner

This bag is expandable 1.5″ and easily fits in the plane’s overhead cabin. It has separate pockets and compresses your things. Besides that, you can enjoy its feature of a portable battery pocket. This bag perfectly satisfies Alaska Airlines’ carry-on luggage size requirements. It is a roomy, lightweight, and portable bag weighing less than eight pounds.

JetBlue

Carry-on baggage size: 22” x 14” x 9” inches

Carry-on baggage weight: No limit

A Personal item dimensions: 17 x 13 x 8

JetBlue typically allows passengers one carry-on and one personal item unless they take a Blue Basic fare. You may only bring only one personal item that you can fit under the seat if you purchase a Blue Basic ticket. You could spend $65 to check more oversized carry-on luggage at the gate.

However, some passengers with Blue Basic fares can bring free carry-on luggage. They are passengers flying to London, unaccompanied minors, and members of the active US military.

Luggage Pick: Eagle Creek Tarmac Carry on luggage

Eagle Creek Carryon Luggage

This bag has a capacity of 38.5 litres and can expand 3L, so it can fit everything you need. It has heavy-duty treaded wheels, sturdy material, and internal compression straps. So to keep your essentials organized, consider bringing a soft-sided carry-on from Eagle Creek. It has a ton of helpful organization pockets.

Allegiant Air

Carry-on baggage size: 22″ x 14″ x 9″inches; charge of $10 to $75

Carry-on baggage weight: No limit

A Personal item: 7” x 15” x 16” inches

Only one personal item is permitted free of charge on most flights with Allegiant. There is a charge if you want to use Allegiant and bring a larger carry-on bag. If you’re going to pay for luggage at the booking time, it costs around $20. This may be a little expensive because if you add a carry-on bag later, it will cost you a hefty $45, and it may even cost you $75 if you pay at the gate.

Luggage Pick: Kenneth Cole Reaction Luggage

Kenneth Cole Reaction Luggage

This bag is a well-rated suitcase made of ABS material. Its main interior compartment is fully lined and has double-sided packing. It has four spinner wheels that offer multi-directional manoeuvring.

Southwest Airlines

Carry-on baggage size: 24” x 16” x 10” inches

Carry-on baggage weight: No limit

A Personal item: 18.5” x 8.5” x 13.5′

Southwest has one of the most lenient height restrictions of any American airline, allowing bags up to 24 inches tall. You can also bring a personal item. A few things, like canes, umbrellas, kid seats, and clothing like coats, do not count toward your carry-on baggage allowance.

Luggage Pick: Samsonite Freeform Hardside Luggage

Samsonite Freeform hardside luggage

This Samsonite freeform bag is modern in design, ultra-light, and has multi-directional mobility. It maximizes your capacity for packing and complies with most carry-on size constraints. It has ten years warranty and strong shells to withstand any damage. The bag has a divider and multiple pockets to keep the stuff organized.

United Airlines

Carry-on baggage size: 22” x 14” x 9” inches

Carry-on baggage weight: No limit

A Personal item: 17” x 10” x 9”inches

United Airlines has size restrictions but no weight limitations. All personal items would get under the seat in front of them. Passengers with primary economy tickets are only permitted to bring one personal item and no carry-on luggage. Travellers flying domestically in the basic economy or between the United States and Canada are subject to this policy.

You may bring a full-size carry-on bag if you travel to Central or South America (including Mexico) or on a transatlantic or transpacific trip with a basic economy ticket.

Luggage Pick: Briggs & Riley Torq Domestic Carry-on luggage

Briggs and Riley Torq carryon luggage

This top-rated brand luggage is an innovative design with many high-tech features. Its sturdy yet lightweight polycarbonate construction makes carrying and moving around simple. The bag also has a USB port and a hinged front pocket that’s great for holding gadgets and computer accessories.

Spirit Airlines

Carry-on baggage size: 22 x 18 x 10 inches, payable extra.

Carry-on baggage weight: No limit

A Personal item dimension: 18 x 14 x 8 inches

Spirit Airlines charges for any carry-on bag. You may only bring one personal item on board if you haven’t paid for this. There is no restriction on the weight of the carry-on. Depending on the flight, Spirit’s carry-on luggage fees range from $25 to $30 for domestic flights inside the United States. Paying for carry-on luggage is always less expensive when booking a flight.

Luggage Pick: Amazon Basics 21-Inch hard-side Luggage

Amazon Basic is an affordable bag that meets Spirit Airlines’ policies. It is made of durable material and has an organized interior and spinner wheels. It can expand up to 15% whenever you need.

Final verdict

Next time before you start packing, make sure you are aware of all these sizes and weight restrictions of the airline you are about the board. It could save you from being stopped at the checking points and enjoy a fun trip.

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