Every frequent traveler has seen passengers rolling their massive carry-ons and lugging equally large bags and backpacks onto the plane as their “personal item.” So exactly how big can your carry-on and personal item be? The general rule about personal item size is that your bag must fit under the seat in front of you, though some airlines do specify maximum dimensions. Meanwhile, airlines have a wide variety of carry-on size restrictions. Many airlines, especially outside the U.S., also have weight limits for carry-on bags and personal items.
Carry-On vs. Personal Item: What You Need to Know About Baggage Policies
For years, personal items have flown mostly under the radar, but in the new world of basic economy—in which airlines are offering cheaper base fares but charging for carry-ons—more and more people will be traveling with nothing but a personal item.
When you’re traveling on the cheap and trying to pack as much as possible into a very limited amount of space, knowing the rules is vital. Here’s a look at the personal item and carry-on size limits for 10 major U.S. airlines and 22 top international carriers.
A few important notes:
- The dimensions below reflect length, height, and width, and include wheels and handles.
- Personal item and carry-on dimensions listed below reflect the size limits for flyers in economy class. (Airlines often have more generous baggage allowances for flyers in first or business class.)
- If you’re traveling on a codeshare flight, you’ll need to check the baggage restrictions for the airline operating the flight—not necessarily the airline through which you booked.
- On shorter trips flown on smaller planes, even regulation-size carry-ons may need to be gate-checked. (In such cases, you shouldn’t be charged the normal checked bag fee.)
- Because carriers can change their rules at any time, it’s a good idea to double-check before each trip.
Alaska Airlines
Alaska Airlines Carry-on Size Limit
On Alaska flights, your carry-on must not exceed 22 x 14 x 9 inches. The following items may be substituted for your carry-on bag even if they’re over the limit: paintings, small musical instruments, art/advertising portfolios, human organs, fishing poles, and “delicate scientific equipment.”
Recommended carry-on: Samsonite Voltage DLX Carry-On Spinner
Alaska Airlines Personal Item Size Limit
Personal items are only defined as a “purse, briefcase, or laptop computer,” and the airline notes that either your carry-on or personal item must fit under the seat in front of you. Jackets, hats, umbrellas, personal pillows, food, child safety seats, strollers, service animals, medications, assistive/medical devices, and a “reasonable amount of reading material” do not count toward your carry-on or personal item allowance.
Recommended personal item: Mancro Laptop Backpack
Allegiant
Allegiant Carry-on Size Limit
On Allegiant, your carry-on may be up to 22 x 14 x 9 inches (and you’ll have to pay for it—anywhere from $15 to $45 at the time of booking, $50 at the counter, or up to $75 at the gate).
Recommended carry-on: Samsonite Theorym 22x14x9 Spinner
Allegiant Personal Item Size Limit
Your personal item on Allegiant is free and may measure up to 16 x 15 x 7 inches. Examples of personal items include purses, briefcases, and small backpacks. In addition, you may bring assistive devices, strollers, a coat, a small umbrella, a diaper bag, and food to eat during the flight.
Recommended personal item: AOTIAN Mini Nylon Backpack
American Airlines
American Airlines Carry-on Size Limit
American limits carry-on bags to 22 x 14 x 9 inches, although soft-sided garment bags up to a total of 51 inches (length + width + height) are also acceptable. Note that musical instruments and pets will count as a carry-on item.
Recommended carry-on: Elevation Plus 22x14x9 Spinner
American Airlines Personal Item Size Limit
Your American Airlines personal item should not exceed 18 x 14 x 8 inches and must be able to fit under the seat in front of you. Potentially larger items that don’t count as personal items include diaper bags, child safety seats, and medical and mobility devices; these may be brought aboard in addition to your carry-on and personal item.
Recommended personal item: Calpak Haven Laptop Tote Bag
Delta
Delta Carry-on Size Limit
The maximum carry-on size on Delta is 22 x 14 x 9 inches or a total of 45 inches combined. There’s no carry-on weight limit except at select Asian airports, where the maximum weight ranges from 15 to 22 pounds.
Recommended carry-on: Briggs & Riley International 21″ Carry-On Expandable Spinner
Delta Personal Item Size Limit
Delta does not give size dimensions for personal items, but says they should be approximately the size of a purse, briefcase, laptop bag, or diaper bag. Things that can be brought aboard in addition to your personal item include jackets, umbrellas, food and drinks purchased in the terminal, strollers, child seats, and medical and mobility devices.
Recommended personal item: CAMTOP Weekend Overnight Bag
Frontier
Frontier Carry-on Size Limit
Frontier permits carry-on bags up to 24 x 16 x 10 inches and 35 pounds. You’ll need to pay for your carry-on bag unless you’re an Elite flyer.
Recommended carry-on: AmazonBasics 20″ Hardside Spinner Luggage
Frontier Personal Item Size Limit
Your personal item can be up to 18 x 14 x 8 inches and must fit under the seat in front of you. All flyers can bring a personal item for free. Coats, diaper bags, canes, assistive devices, and foot rugs “for use during prayer” can all be brought aboard as additional free items.
Recommended personal item: Samsonite Silhouette 17 Wheeled Underseater
Hawaiian Airlines
Hawaiian Airlines Carry-on Size Limit
On Hawaiian Airlines, your carry-on may be up to 22 x 14 x 9 inches and 25 pounds.
Recommended carry-on: Briggs & Riley International 21″ Carry-On Expandable Spinner
Hawaiian Airlines Personal Item Size Limit
The airline doesn’t offer specific dimensions, but notes that your personal item should be a “laptop bag, briefcase, purse, or backpack that can fit under the seat in front of you.”
Recommended personal item: Kenneth Cole Reaction Chelsea Quilted Chevron 15″ Laptop Tote
JetBlue
JetBlue Carry-on Size Limit
On JetBlue, your carry-on must not exceed 22 x 14 x 9 inches. The airline does not have a weight limit for carry-on bags.
Recommended carry-on: Samsonite Voltage DLX Carry-On Spinner
JetBlue Personal Item Size Limit
Personal items should not exceed 17 x 13 x 8 inches and must fit under the seat. You can also bring duty-free items (in “a reasonable and limited amount”), a diaper bag, assistive devices, a coat, an umbrella, and/or an infant car seat without eating into your carry-on or personal item allowance.
Recommended personal item: Briggs & Riley Expandable Cabin Bag
Southwest Airlines
Southwest Carry-on Size Limit
Southwest has a more generous carry-on limit than most U.S. airlines, allowing bags up to 24 x 16 x 10 inches. If you’re bringing a pet, its carrier will count as either your carry-on or personal item.
Recommended carry-on: AmazonBasics 20″ Hardside Spinner Luggage
Southwest Personal Item Size Limit
On Southwest, your personal item must be 18.5 x 13.5 x 8.5 inches or less, and fit under the seat in front of you. Assistive/mobility devices, jackets, canes, umbrellas, and food to eat during the flight all count as extras that you can bring in addition to your carry-on and personal item.
Recommended personal item: Ronyes Unisex College Bag
Spirit Airlines
Spirit Airlines Carry-on Size Limit
Spirit has a slightly more generous size limit for its carry-ons than most other U.S. airlines, with a maximum of 22 x 18 x 10 inches. The catch, though, is that you’ll have to pay extra to bring anything beyond a personal item.
Recommended carry-on: eBags TLS Mother Lode Mini 21″ Wheeled Carry-on Duffel
Spirit Airlines Personal Item Size Limit
Personal items can be up to 18 x 14 x 8 inches, large enough to include a sizable purse or smaller backpack.
Recommended personal item: Lululemon Commuter Multi-Wear Backpack
United Airlines
United Airlines Carry-on Size Limit
On United, the maximum carry-on size is 22 x 14 x 9 inches. Note, however, that if you’re traveling in basic economy, you may only bring a personal item. (There are a few exceptions: those traveling on transatlantic flights, and Premier members or primary card members using qualifying MileagePlus credit cards.)
Recommended carry-on:
United Airlines Personal Item Size Limit
United personal items must fit under the seat in front of you and may not be larger than 17 x 10 x 9 inches. Items such as jackets, umbrellas, diaper bags, food purchased in the airport, assistive devices, child safety seats, cameras, and reading material may be brought aboard in addition to your carry-on and personal item.
Recommended personal item: Herschel Nova Backpack
Carry-on and Personal Item Size Limits on International Airlines
The chart below features the maximum sizes for carry-on bags and personal items on 22 major international airlines. Note that baggage restrictions may vary depending on your specific route. Some measurements are approximate, having been converted from centimeters into inches or from kilograms into pounds.
| Airline | Carry-On Size Limit | Personal Item Size Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Aer Lingus | 21.5 x 15.5 x 9.5 inches; 22 pounds | 13 x 10 x 8 inches |
| Aeroflot | 21.5 x 15.75 x 10 inches; 22 pounds | 31.5 inches total (length + height + width); 11 pounds |
| Air Canada | 21.5 x 15.5 x 9 inches; no weight limit | 17 x 13 x 6 inches; no weight limit |
| Air China | 22 x 16 x 8 inches; 11 pounds | Not specified |
| Air France | 21.7 x 13.8 x 9.9 inches; 26 pounds total for carry-on plus personal item | 16 x 12 x 6 inches |
| Air New Zealand | 46.5 inches total (length + height + width); 15 pounds | Not specified |
| British Airways | 22 x 18 x 10 inches; 51 pounds | 16 x 12 x 6 inches; 51 pounds |
| Cathay Pacific | 22 x 14 x 9 inches; 15 pounds | 16 x 12 x 6 inches |
| China Eastern | 22 x 17.7 x 9.8 inches, but total must be no more than 45 inches; 17.5 pounds | Not specified |
| China Southern | 45 inches total (length + height + width); 17.5 pounds | Not specified |
| easyJet | 17.7 x 14 x 7.8 inches; 33 pounds | Not specified |
| Emirates | 21.7 x 15 x 7.9 inches; 15.4 pounds | Not specified |
| Ethiopian Airlines | 21.7 x 14 x 9 inches; 15 pounds | Dimensions not specified; 11 pounds |
| Etihad Airways | 22 x 15.75 x 10 inches; 15 pounds | Dimensions not specified; 11 pounds |
| KLM | 21.5 x 13.8 x 9.8 inches; 26 pounds total for carry-on plus personal item | 16 x 12 x 6 inches |
| Lufthansa | 21.7 x 15.75 x 9 inches; 17 pounds | 15.75 x 11.8 x 4 inches |
| Norwegian | 21.7 x 15.75 x 9 inches; 22 pounds total for carry-on plus personal item (LowFare+ only) | 11.8 x 7.9 x 15 inches; 22 pounds (LowFare) |
| Qantas | 22 x 14 x 9 inches; 15 pounds | Not specified |
| Ryanair | 21.7 x 15.75 x 7.9 inches; 22 pounds (Priority only) | 15.75 x 10 x 7.9 inches (Non-priority) |
| Singapore Airlines | 45 inches total (length + height + width); 15 pounds | 15.75 x 11.8 x 4 inches |
| Turkish Airlines | 22 x 15.75 x 9 inches; 17.6 pounds | Not specified |
| WestJet | 21 x 15 x 9 inches; no weight limit | 16 x 13 x 6 inches; no weight limit |
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Jamie Ditaranto is a writer and photographer who is always looking for her next adventure. Follow her on Twitter @jamieditaranto.
Editor’s note: Sarah Schlichter contributed to this story. This story was originally published in 2017. It has been updated to reflect the most current information.
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