Even light travelers sometimes need a second bag. You don't "one bag" for every trip you take. Just because you need to bring a little more doesn't mean you're willing to pay for or deal with checked baggage. So you bring a personal item in addition to your backpack or travel suitcase.
Size restrictions for personal items vary by airline., but most of them areconsider a small backpack, handbag, briefcase or laptop bag to be a personal item. These articles must can always be placed under the seat in front of youMany airlines limit passengers to one personal item and one carry-on bag.
Unfortunately, even if you travel as lightly as possible, you can still get into trouble with airlines for bringing too many items on board. Between ultra-restrictive basic economy fares and budget airlines charging for carry-on baggage, it's increasingly important to know what counts as personal property—and what doesn't—when you fly.
To make matters even more difficult, measures differ from airline to airline.
To save yourself from last-minute battles and unwanted baggage fees, you need to know what counts as a personal item. In this article, we'll outline the carry-on baggage restrictions imposed by major airlines, as well as tips for buying a new bag. Let's start with some basic definitions.
What is the difference between carry-on baggage and a personal item?
A carry-on bag is the main piece of luggage that you bring on board the plane and store in the overhead compartment or under the seat in front of you (if you don't have a second bag).. Cabin baggage can also be referred to as carry-on baggage. Airlines have more generous size and weight guidelines for carry-on baggage. Think of a maximum-sized travel backpack or a rolling suitcase.
A personal item is your secondary bag that you bring on board the plane and stow under the seat in front of you. It could be a purse, laptop bag, backpack, tote, or any other small bag. Think bag, not luggage. Airlines are stricter about the size and weight of your personal item, if they publish rules at all. The most important thing is that your personal item must be able to fit under the seat in front of you.
Generally, you can bring one carry-on bag and one personal item on the plane. The exceptions to this rule are the basic economy fares offered today by major airlines and budget airlines. Basic economy fares are generally cheaper but only include one personal item. You will have to pay extra for your carry-on bag. Some budget airlines even charge for any carry-on baggage.
Checked baggage is an extra bag or suitcase that you give to your airline to transport in the overhead compartment—not the cabin—of the plane. Airline rules are more generous for checked baggage, but you'll have to pay for each item you bring.
What is considered a personal item?
Most airlines define a personal item as a handbag, briefcase, or laptop bag. A small backpack, gym bag, or tote is also acceptable, as long as it fits under the seat in front of you. Suitcases are generally not considered personal items, regardless of their size.
The TSA does not publish a definition of personal items, so you will have to rely on the rules of thumb outlined in this article and your airline's specific guidance.
For a standard or premium economy ticket, you are entitled to one free personal item and one free carry-on bag. Basic economy and budget airlines charge for carry-on baggage, so your personal item is the only bag you can bring for free.
Carry-on baggage restrictions are more generous for business and first class tickets, but are the same for all economy fares (basic, standard and premium).
Below is a table of personal item dimensions by airline and region. After each region, I've summarized the smallest, largest, and most common sizes.
What are the size limits for our personal items depending on the airline?
Typically, it should fit under the seat in front of you. But most of us don't know exactly how big that seat is. You also need to consider how much legroom and footroom you want versus how much you're willing to sacrifice for your personal item.
Size restrictions for personal items vary across airlines. If you're traveling on multiple airlines during the same trip, your planning can become complicated.
Most airlines base their size limits on the total size of your bag, not just its weight in kilograms like checked baggage.
Use the table below to compare personal item size restrictions for economy fares on major international and regional airlines. Always remember to check size restrictions on your airline's website before flying.
US Airlines Personal Item Sizes
| Airline | Size of personal item (cm) |
| Aeromexico | Not specified |
| Air Canada | 43 x 33 x 16 cm |
| Alaska Airlines | Not specified |
| Allegiant Airlines | 41 x 38 x 18 cm |
| American Airlines | 45 x 35 x 20 cm |
| Avianca Airlines | 45 x 35 x 20 cm |
| Delta Air Lines | Not specified |
| Frontier Airlines | 45 x 35 x 20 cm |
| Hawaiian Airlines | Not specified |
| JetBlue Airlines | 43 x 33 x 20 cm |
| JSX (JetSuiteX) | 43 x 33 x 28 cm |
| Southwest Airlines | 47 x 34 x 22 cm |
| Spirit Airlines | 45 x 35 x 20 cm |
| Sun Country Airlines | 43 x 33 x 23 cm |
| United Airlines | 43 x 25 x 22 cm |
| WestJet | 41 x 33 x 15 cm |
| Minimum | 41 x 25 x 15 cm |
| Maximum | 47 x 38 x 28 cm |
| Average | 43 x 33 x 20 cm |
Even North American airlines that specify the size of personal items do not have uniform figures.
Allegiant Personal Item Sizes
Allegiant Airlines allows each passenger to bring one personal item on board free of charge.
Your personal item (such as a purse, briefcase, or small backpack) must be stored entirely under the seat in front of you.
Maximum dimensions are 17.8 x 38.1 x 40.6 centimeters.
American Airlines Personal Item Sizes
American Airlines allows one personal item and one carry-on bag.
Your personal item, such as a purse or small handbag, must fit under the seat in front of you. Dimensions must not exceed 45 x 35 x 20 cm.
Diaper bags (1 per child), soft-sided cooler bags containing breast milk, child safety seats, strollers, and medical or mobility devices are not considered personal items or carry-on baggage.
Delta Personal Item Size
Delta Airlines allows each passenger to carry one piece of carry-on baggage and one personal item free of charge.
As an example, Delta suggests
- 1 handbag, briefcase, small backpack, camera bag, or diaper bag
- 1 laptop bag (laptops cannot be checked unless requested by security)
- 1 item of similar or smaller size than those listed.
Note that you can bring one of the above items, but not one from each category.
In addition to your carry-on baggage and personal items, Delta allows the following additional items:
- A jacket and/or an umbrella
- Food or drink purchased after security check
- Duty free goods
- Special items such as strollers, wheelchairs, child safety seats or assistive devices such as crutches.
Frontier Personal Item Size
On Frontier Airlines:
Personal items must not exceed 14 inches in height, 18 inches in width, and 8 inches in length. Personal items must fit entirely within the personal items section of the ring sizer. Think handbags, tote bags, computer bags, briefcases, diaper bags, and children's backpacks!
JetBlue Personal Item Sizes
On JetBlue Airlines, all fares include a personal item to be stored under the seat in front of you.
This can be a handbag, daypack, laptop bag, or approved pet carrier. Personal items cannot exceed 17″ L (43.2 cm) x 13″ W (33 cm) x 8″ H (20.32 cm).
Southwest Airlines Personal Item Sizes
Personal items include handbags, briefcases, cameras, food containers, or laptops (case included).
Your personal item must be stored under the seat in front of you, respecting the dimensions of 18.5 x 8.5 x 13.5 inches.
A friendly reminder: If your personal item cannot be stored under your seat, you will be asked to place it in an overhead bin.
In addition to your personal item and carry-on baggage, Southwest Airlines allows the following items:
- A child restraint device for a child with a ticket with a reserved seat or where there is a free space available.
- Mobility aids for people with disabilities. There is no limit to the number of assistive/mobility devices a customer can bring on board the aircraft.
- Outerwear or other wearable clothing items.
- Food intended to be consumed during the flight, contained in disposable packaging.
- Canes or umbrellas.
- Spirit Personal Item Size
- Spirit Airlines charges extra for carry-on and checked baggage but allows one free personal item.
Personal item (e.g., purse, small backpack, etc.): Dimensions must not exceed 18 x 14 x 8 inches (45 x 35 x 20 cm), including handles and wheels.
United Personal Items Size
On most United Airlines flights, you can bring one carry-on bag and one personal item.
Your personal item must fit under the seat in front of you. The maximum dimensions for your personal item are 22 centimeters x 25 centimeters x 43 centimeters (9 inches x 10 inches x 17 inches).
In addition, you can bring the following items on board free of charge:
- A jacket
- An umbrella
- Reading material
- Food or goods you buy at the airport
- Assistive devices (such as a folding wheelchair, cane, crutches, prescription drug device, or portable oxygen concentrator)
- FAA-approved child restraint system or safety seat
- A diaper bag
- A breast pump
- A camera
- A pet carrier (service charges apply for pets in the cabin)
European airline personal item sizes
| Airline | Personal Item Size (cm) |
| Aer Lingus | 33 x 25 x 20 cm |
| Aeroflot | Not specified |
| Air France | 40 x 30 x 15 cm |
| Alitalia | 45 x 36 x 20 cm |
| British Airways | 40 x 30 x 15 cm |
| easyJet | 45 x 36 x 20 cm |
| Iberia | 40 x 30 x 15 cm |
| Icelandair | 40 x 30 x 15 cm |
| KLM | 40 x 30 x 15 cm |
| Lufthansa | 40 x 30 x 10 cm |
| Norwegian Air Shuttle | 38 x 30 x 20 cm |
| Ryanair | 40 x 25 x 20 cm |
| SAS Scandinavian Airlines | 40 x 30 x 15 cm |
| Swiss Air Lines | 40 x 30 x 10 cm |
| Turkish Airlines | 40 x 30 x 15 cm |
| Vueling | 40 x 30 x 20 cm |
| Minimum | 33 x 25 x 10 cm |
| Maximum | 45 x 36 x 20 cm |
| Average | 40 x 30 x 15/20 cm |
The directives of the European airlines regarding hand luggage are more consistent but also more restrictive than those of North America.
Asia-Pacific Airlines Personal Item Sizes
| Airline | Size of personal item (cm) |
| AirAsia | 40 x 30 x 10 cm |
| Air China | Not specified |
| Air New Zealand | Not specified |
| ANA | Not specified |
| Asiana Airlines | Not specified |
| Cathay Pacific | 40 x 30 x 15 cm |
| Cebu Pacific Air | Not specified |
| China Airlines | Not specified |
| JAL (Japan Airlines) | Not specified |
| Jetstar | Not specified |
| Korean Air | Not specified |
| Malaysia Airlines | Not specified |
| Qantas | Not specified |
| Singapore Air | Not specified |
| Thai Airways | Not specified |
| Virgin Australia | Not specified |
Middle Eastern Airlines Personal Item Sizes
| Airline | Size of personal item (cm) |
| El Al Israel Airlines | 38 x 30 x 18 cm |
| Emirates | Not specified |
| Etihad Airways | 39 x 23 x 19 cm |
| Saudia Airlines | Not specified |
Most airlines in Asia and the Middle East, even those that allow personal items, don't publish size guidelines. I told you it was confusing.
Summary of airline personal item sizes
| Kind | Size of personal item (cm) | Volume of personal items (L) |
| Minimum | 33 x 23 x 10 cm | 8L |
| Maximum | 47 x 38 x 28 cm | 50L |
| Median | 40 x 30 x 19 cm | 23L |
| Average | 40 x 30 x 15 cm | 18L |
This last table summarizes the personal item sizes for all airlines. The size variation is evident. The maximum dimensions allow for a bag six times larger than the minimum dimensions. It's impossible to find a perfect bag that would fit all airlines.
Are airlines strict about personal items?
As long as your bag fits under the seat in front of you, you can probably get away with a bag that's slightly larger than your airline's guidelines.
However, while size restrictions vary from airline to airline, so does their enforcement. United probably won't require you to measure your bag because it seems a bit too big. RyanAir absolutely will.
Generally, budget airlines are stricter about enforcing personal item limits and are eager to charge you more.
The most important thing is to make sure your bag will fit under the seat, especially if you're bringing both a personal item and a carry-on bag. If the overhead compartment is full and you can't fit your personal item under the seat in front of you, you may be asked to check one of your bags (and pay the check-in fee, of course).
To conclude our article, we also invite you to ensure you properly identify your items to prevent them from being found lost in transit during inter-airport exchanges. To do this, we suggest you take a look at our extensive collection of luggage tags.
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