Airline carry-on luggage size: Everything you need to know
Editor's Note
The packing process can be one of the most stressful parts of flying, especially if you’re trying to cram everything into a carry-on to avoid checking a bag.
Regardless of whether you are flying with a U.S. or international carrier, the size and amount of bags you can bring on board depends on the specific airline's policy. We’ve outlined many of those policies in this guide, including size requirements and weight restrictions.
Read on for all you need to know about traveling with carry-on bags.
What size is carry-on luggage?
As you’ve likely observed, most domestic airlines allow passengers one personal item that fits underneath the seat in front of them and one larger carry-on bag suitable for the overhead bin.
Some airlines specify size requirements for both items, while others only restrict the overhead baggage. Just remember that a carrier’s policy for the larger carry-on accounts for the size of the entire bag, including handles and wheels.
Generally, items like coats, books, umbrellas, food purchased at the airport, duty-free items, diaper bags, infant car seats and strollers do not count toward your carry-on or personal item allowance.
The standard size limitation across the board for most domestic airlines for your larger carry-on is around 22 by 14 by 9 inches, so that’s a good rule of thumb to keep in mind.
Here are the carry-on policies broken down by U.S. airlines:
Southwest Airlines
Carry-on items stored overhead must be no larger than 24 by 16 by 10 inches. Your personal item — such as a briefcase, laptop computer case, backpack, pillow, blanket or camera — must fit under the seat in front of you. Neck pillows do not count toward the carry-on limit.
Delta Air Lines
The combined length, width and height of carry-on baggage should be less than 45 inches. Individual items must be less than 22 by 14 by 9 inches. Personal items must be small enough to fit under the seat in front of you.
American Airlines
Overhead items for American Airlines passengers should measure no more than 22 by 14 by 9 inches, while personal items can measure 18 by 14 by 8 inches.
United Airlines
Larger carry-on items cannot exceed 22 by 14 by 9 inches; under-seat personal items on United must measure no more than 17 by 10 by 9 inches.
JetBlue
Like most other domestic carriers on this list, JetBlue requires overhead items to be no larger than 22 by 14 by 9 inches. Personal items must measure less than 17 by 13 by 8 inches.
Alaska Airlines
Alaska Airlines requires overhead items to be a maximum of 22 by 14 by 9 inches. Personal items must fit underneath the seat in front of you.
Alaska Airlines carry-on policy
Hawaiian Airlines
Carry-on items aboard Hawaiian Airlines flights cannot exceed 22 by 14 by 9 inches. Personal items must fit under the seat in front of you.
Hawaiian Airlines carry-on policy
Carry-on sizes for international carriers
Carry-on size limits for international carriers are more varied than for domestic airlines.
Here are the carry-on policies for economy passengers on major international carriers:
- Air Canada: 21 1/2 by 15 1/2 by 9 inches.
- British Airways: 22 by 18 by 10 inches.
- Emirates: 21 2/3 by 15 by 8 2/3 inches.
- Singapore Airlines: The sum of each piece's length, width and height should be less than 45 inches.
- Cathay Pacific: 22 by 14 by 9 inches.
- Air New Zealand: The sum of each piece's length, width and height must be less than 46 1/2 inches.
- Turkish Airlines: 21 2/3 by 15 3/4 by 9 inches.
- Virgin Atlantic: 22 by 14 by 9 inches.
- ANA: 21 2/3 by 15 3/4 by 10 inches.
- Korean Air: The bag's total dimensions must be less than 45 inches.
- Japan Airlines: The bag's total dimensions must be less than 45 inches.
- La Compagnie: 21 2/3 by 13 3/4 by 9 5/6 inches.
Read more: Your essential guide to duty-free shopping at the airport
Can I bring a carry-on and a personal item?
As mentioned, all airlines differentiate between smaller personal items and larger carry-on items. If your carry-on bag fits under the seat in front of you, it’s considered a personal item; this includes small backpacks, purses, briefcases and laptop bags.
Larger bags, including suitcases that fit in the overhead compartment, are labeled as larger carry-on items.
Southwest once stood out among carriers for allowing passengers two free checked bags, a carry-on and a personal item, regardless of fare type. However, in 2025, the carrier decided to end this allowance and start charging for checked baggage.
Most domestic airlines allow passengers a carry-on bag and a personal item free of charge, depending on their fare type.
Related: How to tell if your backpack counts as a personal or carry-on item
The cheapest fare type on United (basic economy) restricts flyers to one personal item that can fit under the seat in front of them. Similarly, if you book with an ultra-low-cost airline like Frontier Airlines or Spirit Airlines, the basic fare only includes a personal item.
Among many international carriers, your fare type also determines whether you are eligible to bring one or two carry-on items, so be sure to pay attention to baggage allotments when booking.
Carry-on luggage weight limits
Though airlines care about size, most domestic airlines do not have weight restrictions for carry-on bags. Some enforce weight limits for specific routes, though. For example, Delta restricts passengers flying to and from Beijing and Shanghai to a 22-pound carry-on, and it restricts bags to and from Singapore to 15 pounds.
Low-cost airlines Frontier and Sun Country both have 35-pound limits, while Spirit's is a bit more generous at 40 pounds. Hawaiian Airlines limits its carry-on bags to a restrictive 25 pounds.
Outside of these, you won’t find a blanket weight policy for carry-on bags for domestic carriers.
On the other hand, the majority of international carriers specify weight requirements for carry-on bags dependent on the fare type. For economy fares, carry-on weight limits vary among major carriers, including:
- Emirates, Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Qatar Airways, Air New Zealand: 15 pounds
- Turkish Airlines: 17 pounds
- Virgin Atlantic, ANA, Korean Air, Japan Airlines: 22 pounds
- La Compagnie: 39 pounds
- British Airways: 51 pounds
What is allowed in a carry-on bag?
The U.S. Transportation Security Administration monitors carry-on bags just as it monitors checked luggage; TSA prohibits certain items, including firearms, lithium batteries and other potentially hazardous items outlined here.
Within those confines, you’re further restricted to liquids less than 3.4 ounces per the 3-1-1 rule; this limits items like toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, mouthwash and lotion to 3.4 fluid ounces within a quart-size bag. TSA recommends packing full-size liquids in your checked luggage.
Related: Here’s what to pack in a carry-on bag every time you travel
Your carry-on is the safest place for your most valuable items, such as your purse, electronics, passport, jewelry and medicines.
For inbound international flights to the U.S., you can carry on liquids exceeding 3.4 ounces if you purchased them in the duty-free section and they remain in their secure, tamper-evident bags. You’ll also want to hold onto your original receipt to show you made the purchase within the preceding 48 hours, as TSA may request this for screening.
Other international border agencies have similar rules prohibiting the transport of certain items on airplanes, so be sure to check with your individual airline regarding those rules.
Bottom line
Depending on your fare type, most domestic airlines generally permit travelers to carry on two items — one that fits underneath the seat in front of them (typically called a personal item) and a second bag that fits overhead. However, the baggage must meet certain dimension thresholds, which vary by airline.
Personal items include small backpacks, purses, briefcases and laptop bags. Larger bags — including suitcases that fit in the overhead bin compartment — are labeled as larger carry-on items.
Carry-on policies vary greatly among international carriers, depending on the fare type. The fare type also determines the weight requirements for carry-on bags. However, U.S. airlines generally do not have weight restrictions for carry-on items.
Related reading:
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Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.