Carry-on and personal item size limits for 32 major airlines.
On almost every flight there’s a passenger rolling on a massive carry-on and/or lugging an equally large bag/backpack onto the plane as a “personal item.” Exactly how big can a carry-on and personal item be?
Personal items. For years personal items flew mostly under the radar. That changed with the introduction of Basic Economy—in exchange for the lowest ticket price, passengers pay extra for previously free amenities, including carry-on bags. As a result, more people are traveling with only a personal item. As a general rule, a personal item must fit under the seat in front of you, though some airlines specify maximum dimensions.
Carry-ons. Airlines have a wide variety of carry-on size restrictions. Many, especially outside the U.S., also have weight limits for carry-on bags and personal items. When you’re traveling on the cheap and trying to pack as much as possible into a limited amount of space, it helps to know the rules. No one wants to be forced to check a bag at the boarding gate and pay the checked bag fee.
Here are the personal item and carry-on size limits for 10 major U.S. airlines and 20 top international carriers.
First, a few notes:
-Dimensions reflect length, height, and width, and include wheels and handles.
-These size limits are for economy class. (First or business class often include more generous baggage allowances.)
-If you’re on a codeshare flight, check the baggage restrictions for the airline operating the flight, not the airline through which you booked your ticket.
-On smaller planes (think regional carriers), even regulation-size carry-ons may need to be gate-checked. (In such cases, you shouldn’t be charged the checked-bag fee.)
-Because carriers can change their rules at any time, double-check the airline’s website before each trip.
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 size limit: paintings, small musical instruments, art/advertising portfolios, human organs, fishing poles, and “delicate scientific equipment.”
Personal Item Size Limit
Personal items are defined as a “purse, briefcase, or laptop computer,” and the airline notes 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.
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).
Personal Item Size Limit
Your personal item 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.
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. Musical instruments and pets count as a carry-on item.
Personal Item Size Limit
Your personal item should not exceed 18 x 14 x 8 inches and must 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 items.
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.
Personal Item Size Limit
While size dimensions are not given for personal items, 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.
Frontier
Carry-on Size Limit
Frontier permits carry-on bags up to 24 x 16 x 10 inches and 35 pounds and must be paid for unless you’re an Elite flyer.
Personal Item Size Limit
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.
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.
Personal Item Size Limit
No specific dimensions; a personal item should be a “laptop bag, briefcase, purse, or backpack that can fit under the seat in front of you.”
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.
Personal Item Size Limit
Personal items should not exceed 17 x 13 x 8 inches and must fit under the seat in front of you. Duty-free items in “a reasonable and limited amount,” a diaper bag, assistive devices, a coat, an umbrella, and/or an infant car seat can be brough ton for free and don’t count as carry-ons or personal items.
Southwest Airlines
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.
Personal Item Size Limit
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 items.
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 is you’ll have to pay extra to bring it.
Personal Item Size Limit
Personal items are free and can be up to 18 x 14 x 8 inches (large enough to include a sizable purse or smaller backpack).
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. (Exceptions: those traveling on transatlantic flights and Premier members or primary card members using qualifying MileagePlus credit cards.)
Personal Item Size Limit
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, pet carriers, cameras, and reading material may be brought aboard in addition to your carry-on and personal items.
Carry-on and Personal Item Size Limits on International Airlines
Notes:
-Baggage restrictions may vary depending on specific routes.
-Some measurements are approximate, having been converted from centimeters into inches or from kilograms into pounds
Aer Lingus
Carry-on Size Limit
21.5 x 15.5 x 9.5 inches; 22 pounds
Personal Item Size Limit
13 x 10 x 8 inches
Aeroflot
Carry-on Size Limit
21.5 x 15.75 x 10 inches; 22 pounds
Personal Item Size Limit
31.5 inches total (length + height + width); 11 pounds
Air Canada
Carry-on Size Limit
21.5 x 15.5 x 9 inches; no weight limit
Personal Item Size Limit
17 x 13 x 6 inches; no weight limit
Air China
Carry-on Size Limit
22 x 16 x 8 inches; 11 pounds
Personal Item Size Limit
Not specified
Air France
Carry-on Size Limit
21.7 x 13.8 x 9.9 inches; 26 pounds total for carry-on plus personal item
Personal Item Size Limit
16 x 12 x 6 inches
Air New Zealand
Carry-on Size Limit
46.5 inches total (length + height + width); 15 pounds
Personal Item Size Limit
Not specified
British Airways
Carry-on Size Limit
22 x 18 x 10 inches; 51 pounds
Personal Item Size Limit
16 x 12 x 6 inches; 51 pounds
Cathay Pacific
Carry-on Size Limit
22 x 14 x 9 inches; 15 pounds
Personal Item Size Limit
16 x 12 x 6 inches
China Eastern
Carry-on Size Limit
22 x 17.7 x 9.8 inches, but total must be no more than 45 inches; 22 pounds
Personal Item Size Limit
Not specified
China Southern
Carry-on Size Limit
45 inches total (length + height + width); 11 pounds
Personal Item Size Limit
Not specified
easyJet
Carry-on Size Limit
22 x 17.7 x 9.8 inches; no weight limit
Personal Item Size Limit
Not specified
Emirates
Carry-on Size Limit
21.7 x 15 x 7.9 inches; 15.4 pounds
Personal Item Size Limit
Not specified
Ethiopian Airlines
Carry-on Size Limit
21.7 x 15.75 x 9 inches; 15 pounds
Personal Item Size Limit
Dimensions not specified; 11 pounds
Etihad Airways
Carry-on Size Limit
19.7 x 15.75 x 10 inches; 15 pounds
Personal Item Size Limit
Dimensions not specified; 11 pounds
KLM
Carry-on Size Limit
21.5 x 13.5 x 10 inches; 26 pounds total for carry-on plus personal item
Personal Item Size Limit
16 x 12 x 6 inches
Lufthansa
Carry-on Size Limit
21.7 x 15.75 x 9 inches; 17 pounds
Personal Item Size Limit
15.75 x 11.8 x 4 inches
Norwegian
Carry-on Size Limit
21.7 x 15.75 x 9 inches; 22 pounds total (carry-on + personal item; LowFare+ only)
Personal Item Size Limit
11.8 x 7.9 x 15 inches; 22 pounds (LowFare)
Qantas
Carry-on Size Limit
22 x 14 x 9 inches; 15 pounds
Personal Item Size Limit
Not specified
Ryanair
Carry-on Size Limit
21.7 x 15.75 x 7.9 inches; 22 pounds (Priority only)
Personal Item Size Limit
15.75 x 10 x 7.9 inches (Non-priority)
Singapore Airlines
Carry-on Size Limit
45 inches total (length + height + width); 15 pounds
Personal Item Size Limit
15.75 x 11.8 x 4 inches
Turkish Airlines
Carry-on Size Limit
21.7 x 15.75 x 9 inches; 17.6 pounds
Personal Item Size Limit
Not specified
WestJet
Carry-on Size Limit
21 x 15 x 9 inches; no weight limit
Personal Item Size Limit
16 x 13 x 6 inches; no weight limit
Twist’s Take: Check out these carry-on and personal item size limits for 32 major airlines to avoid surprise fees at the boarding gate.
