Are All Carry-On Luggage Sizes The Same? (2024)

FAQs

Are All Carry-On Luggage Sizes The Same? ›

Carry-on Size Per Airlines

The majority go by a standard height, width and depth measurement. In general, standard domestic carry-on luggage size is 22 x 14 x 9 inches. If you're flying internationally, that may vary a little to 21.5 x 15.5 x 9 inches.

Carry-on bags shouldn't be larger than 22 inches long, 14 inches wide and 9 inches high including handles and wheels. Dimensions of personal items should not exceed 18 inches long, 14 inches wide and 8 inches high. There are no weight restrictions for carry-on luggage.

According to airline rules, if your carry-on bag is too large, the airline will require you to gate-check your bag and, often, pay a hefty fee to do so.

TSA Carry-On Size Limit

Surprisingly, the Transportation Security Administration or TSA has no regulations regarding the size or weight of carry-on baggage. Instead, it's up to each individual airline to determine its own size and/or weight guidelines.

The combined dimensions of carry-on baggage should be less than 45 inches, with individual items measuring no more than 22 x 14 x 9 inches.

To calculate the size of your carry-on bag, measure the length, height, and depth (or width) of your bag. You can add the three numbers together to find the total linear inches. For example, a bag with a length of 20 inches, width of 12 inches, and depth of 6 inches would be 20+12+6 = 38 linear inches.

While this can be confusing, most popular airlines allow you to bring a carry-on and personal item, such as a backpack or purse. In general, your personal item should be smaller than your carry-on and under the specific airline's carry-on dimensions, allowing it to fit under the seat in front of you.

American Airlines (AA) allows 1 carry-on bag and 1 personal item (purse, briefcase, laptop bag) per passenger fee free. Carry-on should not exceed the following size and weight restrictions: 45 linear inches (22 x 14 x 9 in) or 115 centimeters (56 x 36 x 23 cm) including handles and wheels.

In the majority of cases, a duffel bag won't be considered a personal item, as they usually exceed the typical maximum size of 18 x 14 x 8 inches or 45 x 35 x 29 cm. However, they will often be classed as a carry-on bag, if they are within the average limit of 22 x 14 x 9 inches or 56 x 36 x 23 cm.

What if my personal item is 2 inches too big? ›

Airlines may sometimes ask you to buy a new seat in order to fit your big item. Then, the additional fee will be significant. Even worse, if your personal item is too large or heavy, it is possible that you have to leave it or be denied entry.

You must adhere strictly to the baggage allowance on your booking. If your small bag or 10kg cabin bag does not fit in the baggage sizers, which are placed at every boarding gate, we will tag your bag and place it in the aircraft hold subject to payment of a gate bag fee.

Contact Reservations for help and to make sure your oversize bags will fit on the plane. More than one fee may apply per bag that exceeds standard dimensions for both weight and size.

The TSA's liquid limit for carry-ons—known as the 3-1-1 rule—allows travelers to pack liquids, aerosols, gels, creams, and pastes under 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) in their carry-on bags. Passengers are allowed up to one quart-sized bag per person, or roughly nine 3.4-ounce containers in a single quart-sized bag.

In conclusion, a purse is not a carry-on but a personal item. Personal items are considerably easier to travel with because they are smaller, so your purse may be easier to carry than a carry-on. You just need to be mindful that you'll have a spot to store your purse under the seat in front of you.

Firearms, ammunition, and fireworks are prohibited, as are all knives and safety razors (including pocket knives and Swiss Army knives). Straight razors and replacement blades for straight razors are also not allowed. Most tools also cannot be packed in carry-on luggage, as they have the potential to cause harm.

Yes, a 24-inch bag can be used as a carry-on suitcase when flying with the following airlines: Frontier, Southwest and Sun Country. However, if you're shopping for new carry-on luggage, it's best to opt for something that meets the requirements for most major airlines (22 x 14 x 9 inches or smaller).

Away's standard size carry-on comes with all the same features as the Bigger Carry-On; it's just smaller. Compared to the Bigger Carry-On, the Away Carry-On measures 21.7 x 14.4 x 9 inches (about an inch less on each side), weighs 7.5 pounds (0.4 pounds less), and has room for 39.8 liters inside (8.1 liters less).

The largest checked international luggage size allowed is 62 linear (total) inches. Typically, a standard checked luggage size wavers around 27 x 21 x 14 inches. The universally accepted carry-on luggage size for a domestic flights (within the U.S.) is 22" x 14" x 9".

Your Carry-on bag must fit in the overhead bin, so it must be 9 in x 14 in x 22 in (23 cm x 35 cm x 56 cm). When measuring your bag, be sure to include the handle and wheels.