What is Carry-On Baggage?

Technically, any piece of luggage that you “carry on” to an airplane is a carry-on bag. Most airlines allow one piece of carry-on luggage or “hand baggage” that can fit in the overhead bin, plus a “personal item” (a smaller purse, computer bag, diaper bag, small backpack, etc. which can go under the seat in front of your).

This varies by airline. Some airlines require passengers to fit their bags into a measuring device before boarding; others are more lenient, especially if the flight is not full. Some low-cost carriers (like Frontier and TAP), are notorious for weighing and measuring each carry-on bag, prompting some passengers to wear multiple layers of clothes on the plane to meet the requirements.

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. Of course, what the rules state and what actually happens isn’t always the same. The agent might not notice, they might notice but not care, or they might notice and require you to check the bag. It can depend a bit on the airline (some are notoriously more strict than others), the agent, and how egregiously large your bag is.  

If you are required to check your bag, it will be tagged and you’ll pick it up at baggage claim at your destination. Sometimes you’ll pick it up on the jetway once you’ve landed at your destination. The gate agent will tell you if that’s the case.

Yes. If the plane is very full or it’s a smaller aircraft than expected, you might have to gate-check your bag. If this happens to you, make sure everything vital, like your travel documents and passport, medicine, electronics, and jewelry is placed in your personal item bag, not the gate-checked carry-on.

The standard domestic carry-on luggage size is 22” x 14” x 9” (including the handle and wheels), though you might find an inch or two of difference between airlines—for example, Southwest allows bags up to 24” x 16” x 10”.

International carry-on sizes vary, but most follow the same size requirements as domestic airlines.

Note: If you see a size listed in “linear inches,” take the combined length, width and depth of the bag and you’ll have your total in linear inches. 22” + 14” + 9” = 45 linear inches.  

To avoid getting nailed on the size of your carry-on, check the requirements when you book your ticket or consult this handy list.

Most airlines allow passengers to bring on both a carry-on and a personal item like a backpack, laptop bag, purse, briefcase, shopping bag, etc. The general rule of thumb is that your personal item is smaller in dimension than your carry-on bag and it can fit underneath the seat in front of you.

Typically in economy, you can bring one carry-on and one personal item. If you bring two bags, one must fit underneath your seat and the other can go into the overhead bin. If you’re flying in an upgraded class like business or first, you may be allowed an additional carry-on bag. And if you’re flying on certain budget airlines or you hold a basic economy ticket on certain airlines (and certain routes), you may be restricted to only a personal item. In short, policies can vary, so always double-check what’s allowed for your flight.

Most US domestic airlines don’t have weight limits for carry-ons: If you can hoist it into the overhead bin, you’re okay. However, some low-cost carriers and international airlines may have weight limits for carry-on bags ranging from 15 lbs (Qantas, Emirates) to 17 lbs (LATAM) to 22 lbs (Air Canada, Caribbean Airways, etc) and heavier. Just check the individual carrier before you fly.

It depends on the airline and the type of ticket that you buy and where you’re flying. Most regular economy tickets on major carriers include a carry-on bag. However, on some low-cost airlines or when holding some basic economy tickets, you may pay an extra fee for a carry-on bag to go into the overhead bin. For example, United basic economy doesn't allow full-sized carry-on for flights to the Caribbean but it does for flights to Europe.

Make sure you know the rules of your carrier/ticket so you can avoid unexpected fees.

Most airlines include a carry-on in a basic economy ticket, including: Aer Lingus, Air Canada, Air France, Air Italy, Alaska Airlines, America, British Airways, Delta Air Lines, Iberia, KLM, Lufthansa, Norwegian, Southwest, SWISS, and Virgin Atlantic.

Some low-cost carriers like Allegiant, Frontier, Sun Country, and Spirit charge for carry-on bags (but allow a free personal item that can fit under the seat).

United’s policy varies by destination. On transatlantic flights, a carry-on bag is included. For all other basic economy tickets, a personal item that fits under the sea is allowed but any other bags must be checked. If you bring a carry-on bag to the gate, you’ll pay the checked bag fee plus a $25 gate handling charge.

You may have one clear, quart-sized plastic bag in your carry-on that holds your liquids, gels, pastes, and aerosols (which each must be in containers of 3.4 ounces or less).

The same items that are prohibited in checked bags apply for carry-on bags including firearms, pepper spray, fireworks, and other potentially hazardous items. Lithium batteries with more than 100-watt hours may be allowed in carry-on bags with airline approval, but are limited to two spare batteries per passenger. Additionally, all liquids must be in containers of no more than 3.4 ounces or 100ml and those containers must fit in a clear, quart-sized zip-top plastic bag.

Though it’s easier to pack for a short trip with a carry-on only, it’s possible to pare down the essentials for a longer trip, too. Packing basic items that can be worn interchangeably, or that dry quickly after washing, can help cut down on space and weight. Often, the biggest difficulty with packing only a carry-on is figuring out the liquids situation so small tricks like switching to solid shampoo can help with packing the essentials.

Backpack/duffel vs roller bag is a matter of personal preference, but no matter what you choose, the lighter the bag, the better—that way you’re not eating up weight allowance with a heavy bag and it’s easier to put into the overhead bin. Hard-sided bags ensure that if someone throws their stuff on top of yours, the contents of your bag won’t be squashed, though make sure the bag isn’t too heavy on its own. And finally, check to make sure the bay fits into the size requirements of most airlines. As stated above the standard size is 22” x 14” x 9” (including the handle and wheels, if any), while some airlines, like Ryanair have slightly different size limits.