Airline carry on luggage size limits
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These days, it’s not uncommon to see many people carrying fairly large wheeled carry on bags at airports. These bags might seem huge when compared to the small and light carry on bags of the pre-1990 luggage era that weighed only a few pounds.
However, even though the typical carry on luggage size seems to have grown significantly in recent years, you still need to be aware of airline carry on luggage size limits, or you might find yourself in trouble when boarding your flight. In this blog post, we’ll explore what carry on luggage size is typically permitted by domestic and international airlines, where to find this information, and some of the problems related to carry on luggage size limits.
Interpreting carry on luggage size limits
When luggage size is specified as a number of inches (for example 45″), this number refers to the combined length, width, and height of the piece of luggage. The dimensions of length, width, and height come in standard sets that add up to the total number of inches. For example, 22″ x 14″ x 9″ is the standard for 45″ luggage.
A bag measuring 22″ x 14″ x 9″ is typically the most commonly accepted carry on luggage size. Some manufacturers also refer to this as a 22″ bag. If you exceed these luggage size limits, then theoretically your carry on bag is not legal, and it’s very likely that most airlines will not allow you to carry the bag with you onto the airplane. Some airlines might allow carry on bags as large as 55″, but keep in mind that this is the exception rather than the rule.
Your safest bet is a maximum size of 45″, in the form of a 22″ x 14″ x 9″ bag.
Variations in Domestic and International carry on luggage size limits
You will find that international flights often have much stricter carry-on luggage size limits, especially when it comes to the weight of carry on bags. On some international airlines, the weight limit is as low as 11 pounds, which, surprisingly, is lower than the weight of an empty carry on bag !
Domestic airlines, on the other hand, typically have no carry on luggage size limits on weight.
International airlines also have a smaller limit on the size of your carry on bag, compared to domestic airlines. When choosing a carry on bag that you plan or carrying with you on both domestic and international flights, it’s a good idea to choose a size or two smaller than the maximum allowable domestic sizes.
Where to find carry on luggage size limits for your airline
The best and most reliable place to find the carry on luggage size limits for the airline you’re flying is the official airline website. Here is an example : Delta Airlines’ page on their baggage allowance on flights for both checked and carry on luggage.
If you’re paranoid, and want to get the latest and most accurate information before your flight, an alternative is to phone the airline and verify with them exactly what their carry on luggage size limits and restrictions are.
Carry on size problems
When calculating the size of your carry on luggage, be sure to include the handle, wheels, and any protruding pockets or pouches in your measurement. Don’t count on the luggage salesperson to tell you if a bag will be of the proper carry on luggage size. The bags which are advertised as carry on size may not actually comply with the carry on luggage size restrictions put in place by the airlines. It’s always best to measure for yourself to make sure that your new carry on bag will be usable and won’t need to be checked.
In theory, any bag that fits the carry on luggage size requirements will fit under the seat in front of you. Unfortunately, this isn’t always the case. If your carry on luggage size is at the very top of the allowable range, you will most likely have a very hard time fitting it under the seat.
In order to avoid problems with space allocation once you board your flight, the best policy is to keep your carry on luggage size as small as possible.
If you want to have a pleasant traveling experience, you will not only need to know the requirements of your airline, but will also need to take your fellow passengers’ comfort and space requirements into consideration.
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