What Can I Take in My Carry on Baggage Domestic

The vacation countdown is almost over, and it's time to get packing. Before you print that boarding pass and set your out-of-office message, though, it's important to conduct a bit of research to avoid any hiccups at the gate — especially with your cargo. Though many travel rules vary depending on what region of the world you're heading to or from, carry-on luggage size limits remain a consistent, steadfast metric for the vast majority of airlines.

Sure, you might occasionally be able to sneak onboard with a bag that's a bit oversized or overweight, but it's always smarter to plan ahead. To ensure you get from point A to point B smoothly, choosing the best carry-on luggage to fit the fine print will make for less travel stress. Skip the Googling and follow this guide to know what size suitcase to bring on your next trip — no TSA bargaining, pleading, or, worst of all, last-minute checking required.

To get started, let's begin with these frequently asked questions.

What size is carry-on luggage?

Though you might find an inch or two of a difference with various airlines, the standard domestic carry-on luggage size is 22" x 14" x 9", which includes the handle and the wheels. This size limit ensures your bag — and ideally everyone else's — will be able to be stored safely in the overhead bin for your flight. By far, the biggest benefit of traveling with carry-on luggage is being able to transport your belongings yourself without entrusting them to the airline and hoping they'll arrive at your destination on time and in one, undamaged piece.

Chart of carry-on luggage

What is the weight limit for carry-on luggage?

For many major domestic airlines — think: Delta, Southwest, JetBlue — there are no weight restrictions for carry-on bags. You'll just have to be able to lift it above your head into the storage bin. And in most cases, even if airlines do list a specific pound or kilogram limit on their websites, they likely won't weigh your carry-on bags. As long as your pack doesn't appear to be overstuffed, you're probably OK. Weight is much more important for small commuter planes, mostly due to safety regulations.

What is a personal item?

In addition to your carry-on suitcase, many airlines also allow a personal item. This can be a laptop bag, a purse, a briefcase, a beach bag — whatever you like, as long as it is generally small. Personal item restrictions vary by airline, and some choose not to include any specifics at all. In those cases, the general rule of thumb is an item smaller in dimension and weight than your carry-on bag. For families flying with a stroller or diaper bag or those traveling with uncommon additions like a wedding dress or an instrument can rest assured that most carriers will let you bring these along with your carry-on luggage and your personal item, but we recommend you contact the airline in advance to confirm this.

What is the best carry-on luggage?

As with any travel gear, everyone has a different opinion on the best luggage brands, but the best buy for you is ultimately the one that suits your needs as a traveler. If you're constantly on the road, invest in a durable bag that can keep up. If you take one or two vacations a year, you can go with something more affordable. These days, you don't have to stick to legacy brands to get a quality suitcase. Many up-and-comers offer some really solid options whether you prefer softside or hardside luggage, two-wheel rollaboards or four-wheel spinners. Before you buy, take note of the dimensions in comparison with the airlines you prefer to fly to be sure you're shopping on the safe side.

What is allowed in a carry-on bag?

What you put in your carry-on bag is regulated, as well. In addition to the same rules that apply to checked bags, which prohibit firearms, lithium batteries, and other potentially hazardous items, you must be mindful of liquids when packing your carry-on luggage. Regardless of your destination, you cannot bring containers of liquid, paste, aerosol, gel, or cream larger than 3.4 ounces through security. Make sure to check the specific rules of your carrier, too, so you won't be forced to throw anything away at the gate.

What is the standard international carry-on size?

To be sure your bag is accepted on all carriers, you'll want to get a suitcase that stands at 21'' or less. It's especially smart to look into luggage size restrictions when you're flying with smaller, regional airlines outside of the U.S. as each is able to set its own limits.

Common Carry-on Luggage Sizes listed in a table

Keep reading for the best carry-on luggage to buy based on different airlines' size restrictions.

Alaska Airlines

• Carry-on luggage size: 22'' x 14'' x 9''
• Carry-on luggage weight maximum: not specified
• Personal item: one personal item such as a purse, briefcase, or laptop bag

Best carry-on to bring: eBags Fortis Pro Carry-On Spinner - USB

eBags Teal Hardside Carry-on Suitcase

Credit: Courtesy of eBags

This bag perfectly fits Alaska Airlines' carry-on luggage size requirement, so you'll be able to maximize space. Plus, at less than eight pounds, it's a particularly lightweight bag that is easy to maneuver.

Allegiant Air

• Carry-on luggage size: 22'' x 14'' x 9''; fee applies ($10-75)
• Carry-on luggage weight maximum: not specified
• Personal item: 7'' x 15'' x 16''

Best carry-on to bring: Away 'The Everywhere Bag'

Beige Canvas Weekender Bag

When booking with a budget airline, it's imperative to read the fine print. In most cases, when the low fare seems like steal, traveling light is the only way to keep it that way. With Allegiant, your personal item is free, but there's a fee for your carry-on, so pack this duffel to keep your trip affordable.

American Airlines

• Carry-on luggage size: 22'' x 14'' x 10''
• Carry-on luggage weight maximum: not specified
• Personal item: 18'' x 14'' x 8''; must fit under the seat in front of you

Best carry-on to bring: Travelpro Platinum Magna 2 Spinner Suiter Suitcase

best carry-on luggage size american

Credit: Courtesy of Amazon

American Airlines' fares include both a carry-on and personal item, even in Basic Economy. The sizing is the only thing that's standard about this Travelpro spinner, though. It's decked out with features — a fold-down garment bag, magnet-aligned wheels, etc. — and you can watch us demo them all in the above video.

Delta Air Lines

• Carry-on luggage size: 22'' x 14'' x 9''
• Carry-on luggage weight maximum: not specified
• Personal item: one purse, briefcase, camera bag, or diaper bag

There are three exceptions:

Singapore, Singapore Changi International Airport (SIN): 15 pounds or 7 kg

Beijing, Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK): 22 pounds or 10 kg for domestic travel

Shanghai, Pudong International Airport (PVG): 22 pounds or 10 kg

Best carry-on to bring: Briggs & Riley CX Domestic Carry-on Expandable Spinner

Navy Briggs & Riley Softside Carry-on Suitcase

Credit: Courtesy of eBags

Though pricey, few luggage brands are as trusted as much as Briggs & Riley — its products all come with a lifetime guarantee. In addition to the sleek, modern design, this suitcase expands, creating maximum space inside. Eight spinner wheels allow for comfortable rolling on international and long-haul trips.

Frontier Airlines

• Carry-on luggage size: 24'' x 16'' x 10''
• Carry-on luggage weight maximum: 35 pounds
• Personal item: 8'' x 18'' x 14''

Best carry-on to bring: Filson Dryden Carry-on Suitcase

carry-on luggage size frontier airlines

Credit: Courtesy of Nordstrom

Since Frontier offers a bit more cushion in its carry-on luggage size restrictions, use it to your advantage with this two-wheel carry-on by Filson. It's made with abrasion-resistant ballistic nylon, which means it can get roughed up trekking along unpaved roads in Thailand, Bali, or Colombia and still last for years. The additional compression straps ensure everything inside stays put during turbulence, too.

Hawaiian Airlines

• Carry-on luggage size: 45 linear inches
• Carry-on luggage weight maximum: 25 pounds
• Personal item: one purse, briefcase, laptop bag, backpack, or similar piece; must fit under the seat in front of you

Best carry-on to bring: Calpak Ambeur Rolling Spinner Carry-on

carry-on luggage size hawaiian

Credit: Courtesy of Nordstrom

If you're flying to a tropical oasis like Hawaii, you might want a carry-on to match those rose-colored views you're dreaming of. Calpak's affordable spinner is finished in stylish rose gold, with a chic navy interior. It's lightweight, too, at only seven pounds, so you won't have to worry so much about staying under that 25-pound limit.

JetBlue

• Carry-on luggage size: 22'' x 14'' x 9''
• Carry-on luggage weight: None specified
• Personal item: 17'' x 13'' x 8''

Best carry-on to bring: Eagle Creek Tarmac 22-inch Carry-on

Grey and black carry on suitcase

Credit: Courtesy of Amazon

There's a reason JetBlue has such a cult following: not only does it give guests more legroom, but it alleviates a bit of the carry-on luggage size limit stress, too. Though the carry-on size restrictions are the same as most airlines, the personal item dimensions are larger. Consider bringing along soft-sided carry-on from Eagle Creek that features tons of helpful organization pockets to keep your essentials in check.

To buy: amazon.com, $191 (originally $299)

Southwest Airlines

• Carry-on luggage size: 24'' x 16'' x 10''
• Carry-on luggage weight: None specified
• Personal item: 18.5'' x 8.5'' x 13.5''; must fit under the seat in front of you

Best carry-on to bring: Away The Bigger Carry-on

carry-on luggage size southwest

Another generous airline, Southwest's personal item and carry-on size limits are spacier than most. We'd bring Away's The Bigger Carry-on, which you can choose to buy with or without the built-in battery. The Away team noticed that the bag sizers at airport check-in are actually one inch wider than the 22" x 14" x 9" standard and added an extra three quarters of an inch to each dimension for a perfect fit.

Spirit Airlines

• Carry-on luggage size: 22'' x 18'' x 10''
• Carry-on luggage weight: None specified
• Personal item: 18'' x 14'' x 8''

Best carry-on to bring: Samsonite Freeform Hardside Spinner

carry-on luggage size spirit

Credit: Courtesy of Amazon

At 21.25'' x 15.25'' x 10'', this Samsonite spinner carry-on will allow you to take advantage of Spirit's surprisingly large bag size allowance. The wheels allow for 360-degree rolling, so you can navigate it down narrow aisle with ease. And it's also able to expand about two inches, which makes for a decent-sized checked bag on many airlines, as well.

To buy: amazon.com, $119 (originally $170)

United Airlines

• Carry-on luggage size: 22'' x 14'' x 9''
• Carry-on luggage weight: None specified
• Personal item: 17'' x 10'' x 9''; must fit in the seat in front of you

Best carry-on to bring: Briggs & Riley Torq Domestic Carry-on Spinner

Green hardside carry-on suitcase

Credit: Courtesy of Briggs & Riley

This sleek hardside spinner from Briggs & Riley has plenty of high-tech features that make it a particularly convenient travel bag. It's made from durable yet lightweight polycarbonate material, which make it easy to carry and maneuver. The bag also includes a hinged-front pocket that's perfect for storing devices and tech accessories, as well as a USB port.

What Can I Take in My Carry on Baggage Domestic

Source: https://www.travelandleisure.com/style/travel-bags/airline-carry-on-luggage-size-guide

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