It is essential to do enough research, before you pick up your luggage and get ready for your upcoming vacation. There are so many things that you may go wrong if you go on a vacation without doing proper research. One such thing is carrying the wrong carry on luggage size. You may end up sending your carry-on as checked in luggage if you commit this costly mistake.
Why You Must Know International Carry-on Luggage Size?
Airline rules may differ depending on the location you are traveling to and from. Even Though the international criteria for luggage seems to be consistent in the majority of the airlines, there are some Airlines with strict luggage size rules for the carry-on luggage in them.
If you encounter such an experience, you may have to send in your carry on luggage as a checked in baggage. And the worst part is, you will have to worried throughout the travel thinking of staff handling your carry-on luggage.
As you know,at times, airline luggage staff can be rough handling your luggage which can damage the items inside.
Yes, it happens rarely to people if they are in a hurry, but smart people like you and me will plan everything ahead, so that there is no embarrassing situation during our vacation.
This article will guide you about different carry on luggage size guidelines on different Airlines and will also help you to choose a universally accepted carry on luggage which you can carry in any airlines without a second thought.
After all, Being well prepared you don’t have to bargain or plead to the airline staff. (Why should you lose your self esteem to the airline staff?)
Before you go through the international carry on luggage size table, here are a few questions which you must know the answer for. These are the basics that any first time travellers must know.
Standard carry on luggage Size
Carry on size depends on whether you are traveling to an international or domestic location.
Domestic carry on luggage is about 22 inches. Most domestic carriers allow you to take 22”x14”x9” size as the carry on luggage.
But that doesn’t mean the spinner wheels and handles won’t be measured. They are included in the size restrictions and must fit within the 22x14x9 inch allowed size.
Only if your luggage fit in this size, it will perfectly fit inside the overhead compartment in your airline.
If you wish to keep your carry-on luggage with you during your domestic travel, then you have to make sure that your luggage adheres to the above size restrictions.
If your luggage is over this size, you will have to send your luggage as checked-in and you never know how the staff handles your luggage. You may even get your valuables damaged during handling.
Weight Limit For Carry-on Luggage:
It is not common for any airlines to weigh your carry on luggage as long as it does not look overstuffed or abnormal.
I have been in Southwest, American and most other airlines, they have never checked the weight of my carry-on luggage.
Some airlines may communicate a certain weight limit to you when you book your tickets, but they do not weigh it 99% of the time. You only have to make sure that you lift and place it in the overhead bin yourself. If you are not able to do so, then it means your carry on luggage is overweight.
Can You take personal items with you?
Apart from the carry-on luggage which you carry along with you in your air travel, you can also have a bag or item which you can carry with you like the laptop bag, jackets or any other item which is small and is not unusual.
Baby strollers are very common item carried by commuters during their air travel apart from carry on luggage.
Do not carry prohibited or hazardous items along with you. Firearms, batteries and inflammable substances cannot be carried in any airlines.
What’s the best carry on luggage
It is a general question in the minds of most luggage buyers. But the answer depends on the budget and features required by the customer.
Everyone has different requirements and there is no model which can suit everyone. We have a complete guide written for you to choose the best luggage sets, you can find it here. This article can be useful for you when choosing your carry on luggage.
Best Softshell carry on Luggage: This model from Travelpro
Best International Carry on Luggage: This model from Briggs & Riley
If you are a frequent Traveller, buy a model which will withstand all the rough handling for 4-5 years. If you go on a vacation rarely, you can choose a luggage which is budget friendly and is affordable.
Before purchasing a luggage, make sure you go through the specific carry on and check in guidelines of the airlines you travel. Luggages are available in three sizes namely 20”,24” and 28”.
Carry on Luggage size chart
Below is the international carry on luggage size chart as per the regulations of various airlines. You can also visit the airline website and verify if the data is accurate, in case you wish to double check.
| Shop Carry-On Bags by Airline | Inches | Centimeters | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| AeroMexico | 22 x 14 x 9 | 55 x 35 x 22 | 22 lbs. |
| Air Canada | 21.5 x 15.5 x 9 | 54 x 39 x 22 | 22 lbs. |
| Air France | 21.7 x 13.8 x 9.9 | 55 x 35 x 25 | 22 lbs. |
| Air New Zealand | 46.5 total linear | 118 total linear | 15 lbs. |
| AirTran Airways | 24 x 16 x 10 | 60 x 40 x 25 | -- |
| Alaska Airlines | 24 x 17 x 10 | 60 x 43 x 25 | -- |
| Alitalia | 21.7 x 13.8 x 9.9 | 55 x 35 x 25 | 17.6 lbs. |
| All Nippon Airways | 22 x 16 x 10 | 55 x 40 x 25 | 22 lbs. |
| American Airlines | 22 x 14 x 9 | 55 x 35 x 22 | -- |
| Delta Airlines | 22 x 14 x 9 | 55 x 35 x 22 | -- |
| El Al | 21.2 x 17.7 x 9.8 | 53 x 44 x 24 | 15.4 lbs. |
| Frontier Airlines | 24 x 16 x 10 | 60 x 40 x 25 | 35 lbs. |
| Hawaiian Airlines | 22 x 14 x 9 | 55 x 35 x 22 | 25 lbs. |
| IATA | 21.5 x 13.5 x 7.5 | 54 x 34 x 19 | -- |
| Icelandair | 21.6 x 15.7 x 7.8 | 54 x 39 x 19 | -- |
| Japan Airlines | 22 x 16 x 10 | 55 x 40 x 25 | 22 lbs. |
| JetBlue Airways | 22 x 14 x 9 | 55 x 35 x 22 | -- |
| KLM | 21.5 x 13.5 x 10 | 54 x 34 x 25 | 26 lbs. |
| Korean Air | 21.6 x 15.7 x 7.8 | 54 x 39 x 19 | 25 lbs. |
| Lufthansa | 21.6 x 15.7 x 9 | 54 x 39 x 22 | 17 lbs. |
| Philippine Airlines | 45 total linear | 114 total linear | 15 lbs. |
| Qantas Airways | 45 total linear | 114 total linear | 15 lbs. |
| Saudi Arabian Airlines | 45 total linear | 114 total linear | 19.8 lbs. |
| Scandinavian Airlines | 22 x 16 x 9 | 55 x 40 x 22 | 18 lbs. |
| Singapore Airlines | 45 total linear | 114 total linear | 15 lbs. |
| Southwest Airlines | 24 x 16 x 10 | 60 x 40 x 25 | -- |
| Spirit Airlines | 22 x 18 x 10 | 55 x 45 x 25 | -- |
| Sun Country Airlines | 24 x 16 x 11 | 60 x 40 x 27 | 35 lbs. |
| Thai Airways | 22 x 18 x 10 | 55 x 45 x 25 | 15 lbs. |
| United Airlines | 22 x 14 x 9 | 55 x 35 x 22 | -- |
| Virgin America | 24 x 16 x 10 | 60 x 40 x 25 | -- |
| Virgin Atlantic | 22 x 14 x 9 | 55 x 35 x 22 | 22 lbs. |
Standard International carry on size
Even though there can be small differences in the size chart of various International Airlines, you won’t have any issues if you keep your Luggage size within 21 inches.
Most Airlines won’t turn you down, if you have a carry-on luggage that abides by this 21 inche size restriction. When travelling in a domestic airline in another country, make sure you follow the particular Airline website to find out their carry on size. We believe 21” is the universal carry on size.
Alaska Airlines
Alaska airlines doesn’t have a maximum weight limit for your carry on. But the size allowed is 22″x14″x19″. You can also have a personal item with you apart from the carry on.
American Airlines
American airlines too doesn’t have a maximum weight limit like alaska airlines. You need to make sure your carry-on is less than 22″x14″x9″. If you carry a personal item, it must fit under the seat. Make sure it is less than 18 inches.
Delta Airlines
Delta airlines have the same set of rules like other airlines in the USA. They don’t have any weight limits, but in Singapore it must be under 15 pounds and less than 22 pounds in Beijing. You can carry one personal item with you. Standard carry on size is 22″x14″9″
