canada travel baggage size

• Skip to main content
• Skip to header right navigation
• Skip to site footer

milepro | travel like a pro!

travel smarter....travel like a pro!

Guide to the Air Canada Carry-On Size, Weight, & Liquids

Air canada airlines carry-on size (dimensions), automated carry-on baggage sizers, air canada airlines personal item size, air canada carry-on weight limit, recommended carry-on bag for air canada, air canada baggage fees (checked baggage), the catsa liquids rule, carry-on food, prohibited and restricted items, more related articles…..

If you are going to be flying Air Canada, they have very specific guidelines for carry-on sizes, liquids, and other unique items that you may want to bring on board. This article will explain everything you need to know about Air Canada’s carry-on policy.

Air Canada Carry-On Policy

Air Canada allows one carry-on bag and one personal item onboard at no charge.  They refer to the carry-on bag as a ”standard article” and the personal item as a “personal article”.

Air Canada’s size requirements for a carry-on are 21.5″ x 15.5″ x 9″ (55cm x 40cm x 23cm).

If you aren’t sure what size your carry-on is, Air Canada provides size check templates located at their ticket counters and gates.  But by the time you get to either of these locations, it’s too late if the bag is too big, so better to always know your bag size in advance.

Air Canada is very strict about carry on size limits, so double check to make sure you are in compliance!

Most full service airlines like Delta , United and American do not have bag sizers at the gate. Air Canada does, which confirms how strict they are about the size of your carry on.

Air Canada recently introduced automated carry-on baggage sizers pre-security in the Montreal (YUL), Toronto (YYZ), and Vancouver (YVR) airports.

These new, touchless machines are easier and faster to use than metal sizers. If you are at one of these airports, make sure that your carry-on bag complies with the sizing outlined above to avoid having to check your carry-on bag at the gate.

In addition to a carry-on bag, Air Canada allows each passenger to bring one personal item onboard. Personal items include purses , briefcases, cameras, food containers, or laptops (case included).

Your personal item must be stored under the seat in front of you.

As a rule, Air Canada doesn’t impose weight restrictions on a carry-on bag.   The only rule they have is that it must be light enough that you can store it in the overhead bin unassisted.

If you are looking for a great carry-on bag when flying Air Canada, I recommend the Travelpro Maxlite 5 Expandable Spinner. I have used this carry-on for years. It’s durable, reasonably priced, and holds everything I need for shorter trips. Plus the spinner wheels make it very easy to get through the airport quickly.

This carry-on bag has been sizer bin tested to accommodate overhead bin space on most major US airlines.

Case Dimensions:

• H: 21 in. W: 14 in. D: 9 in.

Note: If fully expanded it may not meet overhead bin size limits, so be careful to not overpack.

If you have to check a bag on Air Canada, there are some size and weight rules to be aware of.

All checked bags must adhere to a maximum weight of 50 pounds (23 kg) in economy class or 70 pounds (32 kg) in business class, with maximum linear dimensions of 62 linear inches (158 cm).

Premium Economy, Premium Rogue, and business class each have 2 bags included.

Use the Air Canada checked baggage calculator to determine your free checked baggage allowance, and any additional fees should you exceed it.

Air Canada Carry-On Liquids Policy

The rules for carry-on liquids are set by the CATSA (Canadian Air Transport Security Authority), not by the airline.  Air Canada doesn’t have their own specific Liquids Policy, they just enforce the rules and policies of the TSA.

However, here are some tips Air Canada specifically provides regarding liquids and liquid size limits:

• If you travel with liquids or gels  in containers over 100mL/100g (3.4oz) in your carry-on baggage you will have these items confiscated at the security checkpoint.
• Access to your checked baggage between connecting flights and
• Room in your checked baggage to pack your duty-free purchases before rechecking your bags for your next flight.
• You  cannot  consume your own alcoholic beverages on board.

It’s also important to note that the rules for bringing a “liquid” in your carry-on bag differ from those that govern what you can bring in your checked luggage. Liquids in a carry-on bag must be 3.4 ounces or smaller and fit in a 1 quart-sized container. Anything larger must be placed in your checked luggage.

Any liquid that does not meet the CATSA Liquids rule will either have to be checked with your luggage or will be thrown away at the security checkpoint.

The CATSA Liquids rule states that each passenger may carry liquids, gels, and aerosols in travel-size containers that are 3.4 ounces or 100 milliliters. Each passenger is limited to one quart-size bag of liquids, gels, and aerosols. Common travel items that must comply with the 3-1-1 liquids rule include toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, mouthwash, and lotion.

Here’s a link to the CATSA website advising what  food can be brought with you  on your Air Canada flight.  This applies to food you are bringing from home through security.   Once you get through security, you can bring just about any food on the plane that you buy at the airport.

There are certain items that are considered dangerous and classified as a hazardous material. Dangerous goods are prohibited from both your carry-on and checked bag on all flights. These rules are not specific to any airline and are mandated by the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority.

Items considered “dangerous goods” are prohibited under Air Canada’s carry-on policy and include the following:

• Firearms and ammunition
• Mace and  pepper spray
• Poisonous, infectious, or radioactive substances
• Sharp objects (knives, cutting instruments, razors, ice picks, carpet knives, metal scissors, box cutters, or similar items) 
• Any beverage with more than 70 percent alcohol
• Camping equipment containing flammable liquids or gasses 
• Flammable liquids, including gasoline and kerosene
• Hoverboards, including electric skateboards, balance boards, gravity boards, and self-balancing devices
• Medical or liquid oxygen 
• Torch lighters, lighter fluid, strike-anywhere matches, and fire starters
• Wet-cell batteries
• Motor oil, hydraulic fluids, brake fluid, and transmission fluid

A complete list can be found on the CATSA website , the  FAA website , and the  TSA website .

• Air Canada Student Discount Flight Pass
• How to fly standby on Air Canada
• WestJet Carry-on Rules

Tim is a business road warrior and avid leisure traveler who has flown over two million miles in the air and spent well over a thousand nights in hotels. He enjoys sharing tips, tricks, and hacks to help readers get the most out of their travel experience and learn how to “travel like a pro”!

Reader Interactions

May 22, 2024 at 9:47 am

The link to the travel pro max lite you provided and labeled as recommended for air Canada seems misleading. With wheels, which they count in the dimensions, this suitcase is 23”. While the case is 21”, with wheels would not qualify. Correct?

May 25, 2024 at 3:40 pm

Hi Jen – You are correct about the wheels adding a few inches but I have flown Air Canada with this bag and not had a problem. If you are concerned, Travel Pro has a similar “global size” bag that is just a little bit smaller. Here is a link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07QXD3J9G ? Hope this helps!

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

• Search Please fill out this field.
• Manage Your Subscription
• Give a Gift Subscription
• Newsletters
• Sweepstakes
• Travel Products
• Travel Bags

Airline Carry-on Luggage Size Restrictions: What You Need to Know

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.

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.

T+L Backpack Recommendation Quiz

Packing tip.

Looking to create even more room in your carry-on? Try using vacuum-sealed storage bags — you can buy them at Amazon.

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 travel 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 hassle-free backpacks . 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 pack 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.

Keep reading for some more airline-specific information.

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

Allegiant Air

• Carry-on luggage size: 22'' x 14'' x 9''; fee applies ($10-75)
• Personal item: 7'' x 15'' x 16''

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.

American Airlines

• Carry-on luggage size: 22'' x 14'' x 10''
• Personal item: 18'' x 14'' x 8''; must fit under the seat in front of you

American Airlines' fares include both a carry-on and personal item, even in Basic Economy.

Delta Air Lines

• 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

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''

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

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.

Southwest Airlines

• Personal item: 18.5'' x 8.5'' x 13.5''; must fit under the seat in front of you

Another generous airline, Southwest's personal item and carry-on size limits are spacier than most.

Spirit Airlines

• Carry-on luggage size: 22'' x 18'' x 10''
• Personal item: 18'' x 14'' x 8''

United Airlines

• Personal item: 17'' x 10'' x 9''; must fit in the seat in front of you

Related Articles

• Credit cards
• View all credit cards
• Banking guide
• Loans guide
• Insurance guide
• Personal finance
• View all personal finance
• Small business
• Small business guide
• View all taxes

You’re our first priority. Every time.

We believe everyone should be able to make financial decisions with confidence. And while our site doesn’t feature every company or financial product available on the market, we’re proud that the guidance we offer, the information we provide and the tools we create are objective, independent, straightforward — and free.

So how do we make money? Our partners compensate us. This may influence which products we review and write about (and where those products appear on the site), but it in no way affects our recommendations or advice, which are grounded in thousands of hours of research. Our partners cannot pay us to guarantee favorable reviews of their products or services. Here is a list of our partners .

The Guide to Air Canada Baggage Policies and Fees

Anya Kartashova is a freelance writer and full-time traveler based in Salt Lake City. She has written about travel rewards and personal finance for FrugalTravelGuy, Fodor's, FlyerTalk, 10xTravel and Reward Expert. Her goal is to visit every country in the world by offsetting the cost with points and miles.

Many or all of the products featured here are from our partners who compensate us. This influences which products we write about and where and how the product appears on a page. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own. Here is a list of our partners and here's how we make money .

Air Canada is Canada's largest airline and the country's flag carrier. Air Canada's baggage policies don't differ too much from the policies of U.S.-based airlines. And as with U.S. airlines, you can save money on bag fees by holding elite status or using a branded airline credit card.

Let’s take a look at Air Canada's baggage allowance and the fees for checked bags.

» Learn more: The best airline credit cards right now

How many bags can you bring on Air Canada?

Air Canada's baggage allowance varies based on the fare type you book, the destination, your elite status and whether you hold a co-branded credit card.

Air Canada carry-on allowance

When traveling with Air Canada, you’re able to bring two articles on board — one standard article and one personal article — plus a coat, a small purse or an infant care item, regardless of the destination. Maximum allowed dimensions:

Standard article: 21.5 x 15.5 x 9 inches (55 x 40 x 23 centimeters).

Personal article: 13 x 17 x 6 inches (33 x 43 x 16 centimeters).

Maximum dimensions for carry-on bags include wheels and handles, and they must fit in the overhead compartments. Although there’s no weight limit to cabin baggage, you must be able to lift it and store it in the bin by yourself. If you’re traveling with an infant on your lap, you’re allowed to bring an extra standard carry-on article.

» Learn more: The points collector’s guide to Air Canada Aeroplan

Air Canada checked bag allowance

The airline sells five fare classes within economy class: Basic, Standard, Flex, Comfort and Latitude. If you’re flying in economy class within Canada, to the United States, Mexico or the Caribbean, you get the following checked baggage allowance:

Basic and Standard fares: No free bags.

Flex and Comfort fares: First bag free.

Latitude fare: First and second bags free.

For other international travel, you get a free first bag on all fares except Basic.

The maximum weight for a checked bag is 50 pounds (23 kilograms) per bag and maximum linear dimensions — that is, width plus height plus depth — are 62 inches (158 centimeters). Bags that exceed those limits are considered overweight or oversized, and are subject to additional fees.

» Learn more: The guide to Air Canada premium economy

Air Canada baggage fees

Here's what you can expect to pay for your first and second checked bags in economy class on Air Canada-operated flights.

For specific routes, classes of service and status levels, use the Air Canada checked baggage calculator .

Overweight and oversized baggage fees

Bags weighing 50 to 70 pounds (23 to 32 kilograms) are considered overweight, and bags with measurements of 63 to 115 linear inches (160 to 292 centimeters) are considered oversized. (Bags larger than these tolerances need to be shipped via air cargo.) You’ll pay the following fees for overweight and oversized bags and for additional bags beyond your standard baggage allowance.

» Learn more: How to make the most of Air Canada’s business class

Sporting and hunting equipment fees

Certain sports equipment and hunting equipment incurs additional fees. If you’re traveling with the following items, expect to pay extra:

Bicycle: $50.

Surfboard, paddleboard, kiteboard, wakeboard or wave ski: $100.

Firearms used for a sporting or a hunting activity: $50 to $59.

Antlers and horns: $150 to $177. 

Use elite status to get free checked bags

If you’re an elite member of the Aeroplan program or Star Alliance, you get some baggage perks. For example, elite members traveling on a domestic route within Canada receive the following free checked luggage allowance:

Aeroplan 25K: Two complimentary checked bags.

Aeroplan 35K, 50K, 75K and Super Elite: Three complimentary checked bags.

Star Alliance Gold: First bag free.

Additionally, weight allowances change for elite members. Aeroplan 25K members get two bags weighing 50 pounds (23 kilograms) apiece, whereas Aeroplan 35K, 50K, 75K and Super Elite members can check three bags up to 70 pounds (32 kilograms) apiece.

» Learn more: Getting elite status on Air Canada with the Aeroplan credit card

Credit cards that give a free checked bag with Air Canada

For U.S.-based flyers, if you hold the Aeroplan® Credit Card , you get a free checked bag for you and up to eight travel companions booked on the same record locator. The benefit applies only to flights operated by Air Canada, Air Canada Rouge and Air Canada Express.

For Canadians, the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card does the trick. The benefit terms are the same as with the Aeroplan Card.

If you don’t hold any co-branded cards from Aeroplan, then the travel credit that comes with the Chase Sapphire Reserve® can come in handy. The premium travel rewards card offers a $300 credit good toward travel purchases, and checked bag fees fit the category quite nicely. Just use your card to pay the checked luggage fees, and the credit will apply to your statement automatically.

Check-in times for checked luggage

Baggage drop-off deadline is 45 minutes for flights within Canada and 60 minutes for all other flights, including flights to the United States and other international destinations.

However, the baggage drop-off time is increased to 90 minutes if you’re departing from Toronto Pearson International Airport for any destination outside of Canada.

Air Canada baggage fees recapped

When you fly Air Canada, Air Canada Rouge or Air Canada Express, you might have to pay to check a bag.

However, you can avoid the checked baggage fees if you purchase select fares, fly certain routes, have elite status with the Aeroplan program or hold the right credit card. Keep in mind that you still might be on the hook if your bag is too large or weighs too much or if you’re checking multiple bags.

(Top photo courtesy of Air Canada)

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are some of the best travel credit cards of 2024 :

Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

No annual fee: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

On a similar note...

Air Canada Baggage Fees and Allowance

• October 23, 2023
• Baggage Allowances , Baggage Fees , Baggage Policies , Carry-on Baggage , Checked Baggage , International Travel

If you are planning to fly with Air Canada, you may want to familiarize yourself with its baggage policy. You don’t want to turn up at the airport and be surprised by any restrictions or unexpected baggage fees.

In this post, we will cover everything you’ll need to know about the airline’s carry-on and checked baggage policies. Discover how much baggage you can bring on board with you, and whether your ticket comes with a baggage allowance. We’ll also explain how large and heavy your checked baggage can be, and what fees to expect if it exceeds these limits. If your ticket doesn’t come with enough checked baggage for your trip, we’ll detail how much it will cost to bring extra bags with you.

Carry On Bag Allowance

Liquid restrictions in carry on baggage, checked bag weight limit, all other international flights, oversized and overweight baggage fee, carry on baggage policy.

In this section, we’ll cover the amount of carry-on baggage that you can bring on board with you, and what limits apply.

We’ll also explain the restriction on liquids in carry-on baggage.

Carry On Baggage Allowance

All passengers are allowed to bring the following items on board, irrespective of their cabin class or destination:

• 1 personal item
• 1 carry-on bag

Personal Item Allowance

Your personal item can be up to 17 x 13 x 6 inches (43 x 33 x 16 centimeters) in size. It must be able to fit under the seat in front of you.

Typical personal items include:

• Small backpack

If your personal item exceeds the above size limit, Air Canada may require that it be checked as checked baggage. You will also be subject to a checked bag fee.

Weight Limit

Air Canada doesn’t impose a weight limit on your personal item.

Your carry-on bag can be up to 21.5 x 15.5 x 9 inches (55 x 40 x 23 centimeters) in size. It must be able to fit in the overhead bins or under the seat in front of you.

Typical carry-on bags include:

• A small suitcase
• Garment bag
• Large backpack

If your carry-on bag exceeds the above size limit, Air Canada may require that it be checked as checked baggage. You will also be subject to a checked bag fee.

Air Canada doesn’t impose a weight limit on your carry-on bag. However, you should be able to lift it into the overhead bins unassisted.

Currently, there is a restriction on the amount of liquids that you can have in your carry-on baggage.

Liquids cover a wide range of substances, including:

• And, obviously, liquids

All liquids must be in containers no larger than 3.4 ounces (100 ml) and packed in 1 quart-sized transparent and resealable plastic bag.

Checked Baggage Allowance

In this section, we’ll explain what limits Air Canada imposes on a standard checked bag.

We’ll also detail if your fare includes a checked baggage allowance and, if so, how much.

Standard Checked Bags

Checked bag size limit.

Each checked bag can be up to 62 linear inches (158 centimeters) in size. This is calculated by measuring the outside length, width, and height , then adding these measurements together. Be sure to include any protruding wheels, handles, or straps with your measurements.

If your checked bag is larger than 62 linear inches, it will be considered oversized luggage and subject to an oversized bag fee.

Air Canada won’t accept checked baggage that is larger than 115 linear inches (292 centimeters) and/or longer than 80 inches (203 centimeters).

Standard checked bags can weigh up to 50 pounds (23 kilograms).

If your checked bag weighs more than 50 pounds, it will be considered overweight baggage and subject to an overweight bag fee.

Air Canada won’t accept any checked bags that weigh more than 70 pounds (32 kilograms).

In this section we will explain what checked baggage allowances you can expect, based on your flight route.

Domestic Travel (within Canada)

For travel within Canada, all cabin classes except Basic and Standard include at least 1 checked bag.

Flights Between Canada and the Continental U.S. / Hawaii

For travel between Canada and the continental U.S. / Hawaii, all cabin classes except Basic and Standard include at least 1 checked bag.

It’s important to note that U.S. territories do not fall within this category. Checked baggage allowances for these destinations can be found in the next table.

Flights Between Canada / U.S. and Caribbean / Mexico / Central America

The following table includes checked baggage allowances to the following U.S. territories:

• Puerto Rico
• U.S. Virgin Islands

Flights Between Canada / U.S. and South America (except Brazil)

For travel between the U.S. / Canada and South America, there are a couple of significant differences to the checked baggage allowance:

• All cabin classes except Basic include at least 1 checked bag.
• The Premium Rouge cabin checked baggage weight allowance is reduced to 50 pounds.

For travel to/from Brazil, checked baggage allowances can be found in the next table.

Flights to/from Brazil

If you’re traveling to/from Brazil, you’re in luck.

Firstly, all cabin classes, including Basic, have at least 1 checked bag.

Second, the weight allowance for each checked bag is 70 pounds, irrespective of cabin class.

Flights Between Canada / U.S. and Europe / Middle East / Africa

For travel to/from Europe/Middle East/Africa, all cabin classes, except Basic, include at least 1 checked bag.

Again, please note that Premium Rouge checked baggage weight allowance is only 50 pounds.

Flights Between Canada / U.S. and Asia / South Pacific

For travel between Canada / U.S. and Asia/South Pacific, all cabin classes include at least 1 checked bag.

Also, only Business and Signature cabin classes have a 70-pound checked baggage weight allowance. All other cabin classes are allocated only 50 pounds.

For all other itineraries, the following baggage allowances apply:

Baggage Fees

In this section we’ll explain how much you’ll expect to pay if your bags are overweight and/or oversized.

We’ll also cover how much it will cost to buy extra checked bags.

Note: If your travel originates in Canada, your baggage fee will also have a tax applied to it. This tax can vary anywhere from 5% to 20% of the base fee. Domestic fares (within Canada) will attract the highest tax rate (20%).

Oversized and Overweight Baggage Fees

Oversized baggage fee.

Your checked bag is oversized if it’s larger than 62 linear inches (158 centimeters) but no greater than 115 linear inches (292 centimeters) and/or no longer than 80 inches (203 centimeters).

Your bag will be subject to a $100 fee. This fee is in addition to any other applicable fees. If your travel originates in Canada,

This fee applies to all itineraries.

Overweight Baggage Fee

Your standard checked bag is overweight if it weighs more than 50 pounds (23 kilograms) but is no heavier than 70 pounds (32 kilograms).

Your bag will be subject to a $100 fee. This fee is in addition to any other applicable fees.

If your standard checked bag is both oversized and overweight, a single $100 fee applies.

Hot Tip: If your standard checked bag is oversized or overweight, you may as well take advantage that a $100 single fee will only apply. For example, if your checked bag is oversized, you’ll be liable for an oversized bag fee. However, since you can’t then be charged for an overweight fee, your bag can weigh up to 70 pounds without incurring any further fees.

The fee for each checked bag depends on your itinerary.

A couple of things to be aware of:

• Your cabin class may already include 1 or 2 bags. This is denoted in the tables below by “included.”
• If you are buying 3 or more checked bags, each of these bags are not subject to oversized or overweight baggage fees. Essentially, these bags have a size allowance of 115 linear inches and weight limit of 70 pounds.

Travel Between Canada and the U.S.

Travel between canada / u.s. and caribbean / mexico / central america, travel to/from brazil, travel between canada / u.s. and south america (except brazil), travel between canada / u.s. and europe / middle east / africa, travel between canada / u.s. and asia / south pacific, final thoughts.

Air Canada’s carry-on baggage allowance is similar to that of U.S. legacy carriers:

Both of these carry-on items don’t have a weight limit.

Checked baggage fees are slightly more expensive than what you would expect to pay in the U.S. Also, if your travel originates in Canada, you’ll be subject to an additional tax on baggage fees.

However, Air Canada held a couple of pleasant surprises when it came to their excess baggage fees:

• If your checked bag is both oversized and overweight, you’re only charged one (single) fee.
• If you buy 3 or more bags, oversized and/or overweight fees don’t apply. Each of these bags can be up to 115 linear inches in size and weigh up to 70 pounds without attracting excess charges. However, this is offset by a slightly higher baggage fee (domestic: $100, international: $225).

Remember to always check Air Canada’s website or contact their customer service for the latest information on baggage allowances and fees.

Hands Off My Suitcase

Related posts.

American Airlines Baggage Policy

Can Aerosol Cans Go on a Plane in Checked Luggage?

• October 22, 2023

Hong Kong In-Town Check-In

Advertiser Disclosure

Many of the credit card offers that appear on this site are from credit card companies from which we receive financial compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). However, the credit card information that we publish has been written and evaluated by experts who know these products inside out. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse. This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers that are on the market.  See our advertising policy here where we list advertisers that we work with, and how we make money. You can also review our  credit card rating methodology .

2024 Checked Luggage Size Chart and Allowances for 62 Airlines [Dimensions, Sizes and More]

Alex Miller

Founder & CEO

297 Published Articles

Countries Visited: 34 U.S. States Visited: 29

Keri Stooksbury

Editor-in-Chief

36 Published Articles 3291 Edited Articles

Countries Visited: 47 U.S. States Visited: 28

Michael Y. Park

20 Published Articles 214 Edited Articles

Countries Visited: 60+ U.S. States Visited: 50

Table of Contents

Checked luggage allowances by airline, can i prepay for baggage, recommended cards that reimburse your baggage fees, checked luggage options.

We may be compensated when you click on product links, such as credit cards, from one or more of our advertising partners. Terms apply to the offers below. See our  Advertising Policy for more about our partners, how we make money, and our rating methodology. Opinions and recommendations are ours alone.

With no universal set of rules for checked luggage allowances, you need to review what you’re permitted to bring with you every time you travel in order to avoid excess charges.

Allowances can differ from airline to airline, with some allocating a total weight allowance and some restricting passengers to a specific number of pieces. Airline policies can also vary depending on the route and will nearly always vary based on the cabin you’re traveling in.

Your ticket will give you the most accurate information for your specific flight. If baggage details are not included on your ticket, you can check out our handy table below that details allowances for over 60 popular airlines.

Where available, you can also click the airline name for a more detailed overview of the airline’s baggage policy, including excess charges and frequent flyer allowances.

When talking about baggage allowances, many airlines refer to “maximum linear dimensions” or something similar. This is merely the number you get when you add together the length, width (or height), and depth of a piece of luggage. For example, if you had a suitcase that’s 26 inches long, 20 inches wide, and 16 inches deep, then its linear dimensions are 62 inches, or right at the maximum for many airlines.

Traveling light? We’ve also covered carry-on luggage allowances with a similar size chart.

Your airline may allow passengers the ability to prepay luggage online for less than at the airport. Individual airlines’ baggage policies can be found by clicking the airline name in the preceding table or by visiting the airline’s website.

If you will be paying to check a bag on your next flight, or if your luggage is overweight or oversized, use one of the recommended Capital One cards below so that you can be reimbursed for the cost. Each card detailed allows you to redeem Capital One miles for 1 cent each as a statement credit against travel purchases made in the previous 90 days.

The Capital One Venture X card is an excellent option for travelers looking for an all-in-one premium credit card.

The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is the premium Capital One travel rewards card on the block.

Points and miles fans will be surprised to see that the Capital One Venture X card packs quite the punch when it comes to bookings made through Capital One, all while offering the lowest annual fee among premium credit cards.

Depending on your travel goals and preferences, the Capital One Venture X card could very well end up being your go-to card in your wallet.

• 10x miles per $1 on hotels and rental cars purchased through Capital One Travel
• 5x miles per $1 on flights purchased through Capital One Travel
• 2x miles per $1 on all other purchases
• $395 annual fee ( rates & fees )
• Does not offer bonus categories for flights or hotel purchases made directly with the airline or hotel group, the preferred booking method for those looking to earn elite status
• Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
• Receive a $300 annual credit for bookings through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
• Get 10,000 bonus miles (equal to $100 towards travel) every year, starting on your first anniversary
• Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 5X miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel
• Earn unlimited 2X miles on all other purchases
• Unlimited complimentary access for you and two guests to 1,300+ lounges, including Capital One Lounges and the Partner Lounge Network
• Use your Venture X miles to easily cover travel expenses, including flights, hotels, rental cars and more—you can even transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
• Elevate every hotel stay from the Premier or Lifestyle Collections with a suite of cardholder benefits, like an experience credit, room upgrades, and more
• Receive up to a $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck ®
• APR: 19.99% - 29.99% (Variable)
• Foreign Transaction Fees:  None

Capital One Miles

Get 2x miles plus some of the most flexible redemptions offered by a travel credit card!

The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card   is one of the most popular rewards cards on the market. It’s perfect for anyone in search of a great welcome offer, high rewards rates, and flexible redemption options.

Frequent travelers with excellent credit may benefit from this credit card that offers a lot of bells and whistles. And it offers easy-to-understand rewards earning and redemption.

• 5x miles per $1 on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
• Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit
• $95 annual fee ( rates & fees )
• Limited elite benefits
• Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
• Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day
• Earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
• Miles won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how many you can earn
• Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
• Enrich every hotel stay from the Lifestyle Collection with a suite of cardholder benefits, like a $50 experience credit, room upgrades, and more
• Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs

The card offers unlimited miles at 1.25x per $1 and no annual fee. When you consider the flexible rewards, frequent travelers come out on top.

Interested in a travel rewards credit card without one of those pesky annual fees? Then say hello to the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card.

In addition to no annual fee, the Capital One VentureOne card offers no foreign transaction fees.

But is this card worth its salt, or is it merely a shell of the more popular Capital One Venture card?

• No annual fee ( rates & fees )
• No foreign transaction fees ( rates & fees )
• Ability to use transfer partners
• Weak earn rate at 1.25x miles per $1 spent on all purchases
• No luxury travel or elite benefits
• $0 annual fee and no foreign transaction fees
• Earn a bonus of 20,000 miles once you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $200 in travel
• Earn unlimited 1.25X miles on every purchase, every day
• Enjoy 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months; 19.99% - 29.99% variable APR after that; balance transfer fee applies
• APR: 19.99% - 29.99% (Variable),0% intro on purchases for 15 months

Hot Tip:  To view more checked bags, check out our article on the best checked luggage bags for travelers .

The information regarding the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer. The information regarding the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer. The information regarding the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does checked baggage have to be a suitcase.

Checked luggage can come in various forms, from hard-shell suitcases to soft duffel bags or backpacks. Passengers can often also check-in boxes or different shaped packages, providing they adhere to maximum size restrictions imposed by the airline.

What is the largest suitcase you can check on a plane?

There are no set restrictions for checked luggage, so airlines define their own baggage policies. A standard size that is seen consistently across many airlines is 62 inches (158 cm) linear. The weight will depend on the cabin, but quite often the maximum weight a piece can be (with or without overweight charges) is 70 pounds (32 kg).

Do checked bags get searched?

Checked baggage is generally screened using scanners so it’s not usually necessary for a physical bag inspection. TSA has the right to search checked luggage if they choose to and will leave a note inside your bag if an inspection has taken place.

Do wheels count when measuring luggage?

Most airlines will count wheels and handles within the measurements, so you should include these when measuring your luggage.

What is considered oversized luggage?

There is no standard measurement for oversized luggage as this is defined by the airline. A common size seen regularly with many airlines (but not all) is maximum linear dimensions of 62 inches (158 cm).

How do I avoid overweight baggage fees?

Be sure to check the policy for your airline, cabin, and particular route before packing your luggage. Use your bathroom scales or a dedicated bag weighing scale. If you find yourself with excessive weight at the airport, try to transfer some items into your carry-on bag.

Was this page helpful?

About Alex Miller

Founder and CEO of Upgraded Points, Alex is a leader in the industry and has earned and redeemed millions of points and miles. He frequently discusses the award travel industry with CNBC, Fox Business, The New York Times, and more.

Discover the exact steps we use to get into  1,400+ airport lounges worldwide, for free  (even if you’re flying economy!).

We respect your privacy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA. Google's  privacy policy  and  terms of service  apply.

Related Posts

UP's Bonus Valuation

This bonus value is an estimated valuation  calculated by UP after analyzing redemption options, transfer partners, award availability and how much UP would pay to buy these points.

Luggage shop by size

Guide to Luggage Size

Trying to figure out which luggage is the right size for your needs? Below, we lay out what you need to know about luggage sizing, airline size limits, carry-on vs. checked bags, what fits in an overhead bin or under the seat onboard the plane and more–all to help you determine which suitcase or companion luggage is the best size for you.

Luggage, like shoes, should fit well. You’ll be travelling distances and depending on it to carry what you need wherever you are going. But shopping for new luggage today isn’t as simple as picking a large or small suitcase.

For travelling light, there are compact travel totes , weekenders , and carry-on  bags . Check-in luggage also comes in a variety of styles and shapes, including suitcases of various sizes with hard shells or softsides –some expandable, some not. Maybe a duffle bag that rolls are better for your needs, or a garment bag … There is so much to consider even before you get to the rainbow of available colours.

The right luggage can save hassle, time and plenty of money. Start by knowing what size you need, then move on to finding what you want.

Frequently asked questions we get from travelers on how to choose the right luggage size:

What is the biggest suitcase size can I carry on? Which luggage size is right for a weekend or 3-day trip? What are the size and weight limit for checked baggage? How many carry-on bags can I bring? How much fits in medium- or large-size checked bags? Are size limits different internationally or for different airlines? Is there a baggage fee for certain bags and not for others? These are all great questions that we will answer along with other important information to help you choose the right luggage size and style for you.

Taking Measures

To start, let’s establish what defines suitcase size–and how to measure yours.

Carry-Ons and Personal Items

Carry-on Luggage Size Limits

At Travelpro®, we test our carry-on luggage in the same sizer bins found at airports worldwide, making it easy for you to find a bag that doesn’t exceed carry-on size limits. Find detailed information on the dimensions of all our luggage on the individual product pages.

Benefits of Carry-On Luggage

There are plenty of reasons some travellers swear by carry-on luggage as “the only way to go”:

Baggage fees.

Carrying on can help you avoid baggage fees. With few exceptions, checked baggage fees are commonplace today, while most–but not all–major airlines allow one free carry-on bag that fits in the overhead compartment. Personal items fly free but must fit under the seat in front of you on the airplane. While standard carry-on luggage is too large to fit under the seat, Travelpro® makes underseat luggage that packs plenty while remaining compact. The size limits of personal items vary by airline. Check with your carrier prior to flying.

Saving time is another reason travellers carry on instead of checking luggage. Having your baggage onboard means you won’t have to corral around the baggage carousel waiting to collect your suitcase… or hoping it made it.

Being in constant possession of your bag, reduces the risk of loss or theft. Layovers increase the chances for your bag to get lost or sent to the wrong place, which can unnerve even the most seasoned traveller.

There is generally no weight limit for carry-on bags and the airline will probably not weigh your in-cabin luggage. But you need to be able to lift it to place it in the overhead compartment unassisted.

On the Flip Side

Travelling light can be great, but being restricted to a carry-on is no fun if you can’t bring what you need. Sure, you can wear a pair of jeans a few times, and you probably don’t require four pairs of shoes for a three-day jaunt. Still, packing everything you need in a carry-on for a week or longer trip may not be ideal, unless you plan to do laundry or buy necessities at your destination.

Checked Baggage

Check-in luggage is anything you are taking but not carrying into the cabin with you–from golf clubs to a cardboard box. Sports equipment and instruments that don’t meet carry-on size restrictions all qualify as checked luggage. As such, these items will be placed in the cargo hold and inaccessible to you during flight.

Items that are prohibited from being in the cabin must also be in your checked luggage, including lithium batteries, liquids over 3.4 ounces, weapons and anything that could be used as a weapon, like baseball bats, metal knives, box cutters and even pocket knives.

Checked Baggage Size and Weight Limits

Checked Baggage Fees

Checked baggage fees cost passengers over $5 billion last year. Most US-based airlines charge for checked baggage, except Southwest Airlines which allows up to two free checked bags per passenger. Baggage fees average around $30 per bag per segment, depending on the airline. You’ll be charged per direction, regardless of whether you fly nonstop or have a connection.

Baggage Fee Exceptions

Many airlines waive checked bag fees for travellers flying Business or First Class, active duty military personnel and those who have elite status with the airline. Checking baggage that exceeds the standard weight limit adds overweight fees, and if your bag weighs over 100 pounds, it probably won’t fly. Airlines cap their weight allowances, even for overweight baggage. Whether your bags fly free or cost extra, they are still limited to the 62-linear inch size limit.

Choosing the Right Size Checked Bags

You can check in any size luggage, but the most common checked bags are larger than typical 22” x 14” carry-on bags. The most popular size check-in luggage is 25- to 29-inches tall and various widths. Medium-sized check-in luggage measures 25-26” tall and around 18” wide.* One medium-sized suitcase will generally hold what you need for a week-long getaway. (See our sizing chart for more detail.) Large check-in luggage is great for longer trips, lots of gear or multiple people. Large suitcases, including trunks and large duffel bags, measure 26” and taller*, giving you loads of packing space. Mind the rules though! Large bags make it easy to exceed weight and size limits. *For exact measurements on a particular bag, please refer to the individual product description page.

Tips for Buying Check-in Luggage

Durability is important for any size bag, though checked bags take the most abuse in transport. Travelpro® luggage is engineered for resilience and backed by dependability warranties. The larger the bag, the heavier it can be when packed. Look for luggage that rolls easily on strong wheels with sturdy extension handles that can be used to stack and secure smaller luggage on top.

Check out our handy chart below for luggage sizing by contents and length of trip:

*Number of outfits depends on packing style

🧭 Explore Our Guides

Luggage shopping guides.

Beginner Travel Tips

Airline tips.

Luggage Repair & Maintenance

Protect Your Trip »

Carry-on luggage size and weight limits by airline (2024).

Just like checked bags, carry-on luggage size restrictions can vary by airline.

Carry-on Luggage Sizes by Airline

Key Takeaways

• The carry-on size limit for many airlines is 22 x 14 x 9 inches.
• Most domestic airlines do not have a weight limit for carry-on bags.
• You can typically bring a carry-on bag in addition to a personal item.
• Your personal item should be able to fit neatly under the seat in front of you.

If you're traveling with carry-on luggage and/or a personal item, you'll need to adhere to size restrictions in the same way you do with checked bags . These rules include the dimensions of your carry-on bag and, in some scenarios, even the weight.

What size luggage is a carry-on?

While carry-on luggage sizes can vary by airline, several major carriers go by these dimensions.

Airlines calculate carry-on luggage size measurements using two methods:

• Height by width by depth:  Most – but not all – airlines measure bags by inches or centimeters using this formula: height by width by depth, such as 22 x 14 x 9 inches. (Note: The dimensions listed below, which are given according to that formula, may differ slightly from the way each individual airline formats its size requirements.)
• Linear inches:  A few airlines have linear inch restrictions for carry-on baggage, meaning the airline gives one number for the total of all three dimensions. As long as the combined height, width and depth don't exceed that number, you're in the clear.

Can a 24-inch bag be a carry-on?

Yes, a 24-inch bag can be used as a carry-on suitcase when flying with the following airlines: Frontier, Southwest and Sun Country . However, if you're shopping for new carry-on luggage, it's best to opt for something that meets the requirements for most major airlines (22 x 14 x 9 inches or smaller).

Is there a weight limit for carry-on bags?

Most major domestic airlines do not impose a weight limit on carry-on bags; however, several international airlines have weight restrictions for carry-on luggage and, in some cases, personal items.

Carry-on vs. personal item: What's the difference?

A carry-on bag is typically stored in a plane's overhead bin, while a personal item should fit under the seat in front of you. Most airlines allow economy passengers to bring one carry-on and one personal item – such as an underseat bag – at no extra cost.

Carry-on luggage sizes by airline

Click on the major domestic and international airlines below to see their carry-on luggage size restrictions in inches for economy passengers – and note that any handles and wheels on your bags count toward size limits as well.

Domestic Airlines

Alaska airlines, allegiant air, american airlines, delta air lines, frontier airlines, hawaiian airlines, southwest airlines, spirit airlines, sun country airlines, united airlines, international airlines, all nippon airways, british airways, cathay pacific, klm royal dutch airlines, qatar airways, scandinavian airlines, singapore airlines, turkish airlines, virgin atlantic.

See all Alaska Airlines carry-on policies.

The fee is often around $20 if you pay for your carry-on baggage at the time of booking; it costs a hefty $45 if you add a carry-on bag later – and up to $75 at the gate.

See all Allegiant Air carry-on policies.

The above rules also apply to basic economy tickets.

See all American Airlines carry-on policies.

Note that if you're flying to or from Beijing or Shanghai, there is a 22-pound weight limit for a carry-on; for Singapore, there is a 15-pound limit.

See all Delta Airlines carry-on policies.

There are two instances where the carry-on bag fee is waived:

• You're an elite member of the  FRONTIER Miles rewards program .
• You bought a specialty ticket like the WORKS bundle.

Also note that carry-on bag fees, which typically start at around $30, depend on your destination, and that prices are cheapest if you add baggage when you make your booking. You'll pay more to add it later, especially if you do so at the airport. Sometimes it's actually cheaper to purchase a checked bag instead of a carry-on.

See all Frontier Airlines carry-on policies.

See all Hawaiian Airlines carry-on policies.

If you booked a Blue Basic ticket, you're only permitted to bring a personal item that fits under the seat in front of you. If you bring a carry-on bag, you must pay $65 to check it at the gate (or up to $180 if you've already checked two other bags). This will change on Sept. 6, 2024, when JetBlue will begin offering one free carry-on bag to all Blue Basic customers, regardless of purchase date.

Currently, select customers with Blue Basic fares can bring carry-on bags for free. These include:

• Active U.S. military personnel
• Unaccompanied minors
• Customers flying to London

If you purchase a higher-class seat or if you reach Mosaic status on JetBlue's TrueBlue rewards program , you can also bring a carry-on bag for free on a Blue Basic ticket.

See all JetBlue carry-on policies.

See all Southwest Airlines carry-on policies.

Spirit's carry-on bag fees vary between flights, but they tend to start at around $25 to $30 for U.S. domestic flights. If you need to bring carry-on luggage, it's always cheapest to pay for it when you first book your flight. It will cost you more to add a bag afterward – and at least double the initial fee if you do it at the airport.

See all Spirit Airlines carry-on policies.

The Sun Country Airlines fee for a carry-on bag is around $30 if you pay for it when booking, or more if you add it later.

See all Sun Country carry-on policies.

There's one notable exception for carry-on baggage with United: Passengers with a basic economy ticket can only   take one personal item on board – no carry-on bag. This policy applies to travelers flying basic economy domestically or between the U.S. and Canada. If you have a basic economy ticket and are going to Central or South America (including Mexico) or taking trans-Atlantic or trans-Pacific flights, you can bring a full-size carry-on bag.

See all United Airlines carry-on policies.

Aer Lingus' carry-on policy depends on where you're flying. For trans-Atlantic flights, you can bring one carry-on bag within the dimensions above, plus a small personal item for free. If you're flying within Europe on Aer Lingus, the rules are a bit different: You'll have to pay a fee to bring a carry-on with you on board, starting at 5.99 euros. However, you can check that same bag for free.

If you're flying Aer Lingus Regional (a service with smaller planes, flying mostly around Ireland and the U.K.), a smaller carry-on limit applies: 18.5 x 13 x 8 inches, with a weight limit of 15 pounds.

See all Aer Lingus carry-on policies.

All Aeroméxico customers can bring a standard carry-on bag and a personal item on board. Be careful with the weight limit, though: For international flights or basic fare flights within Mexico, these two items combined cannot weigh more than 22 pounds. So, if your carry-on bag weighs 15 pounds, for example, your personal item cannot be more than 7 pounds.

See all Aeroméxico carry-on policies.

While there's no weight limit for carry-on luggage, Air Canada says your carry-on bag should be light enough that it can easily be lifted into the overhead bin. Also note that airport purchases (for example, larger duty-free items) count toward your baggage limit.

See all Air Canada carry-on policies.

Note that both your personal item and carry-on bag (referred to as "hand baggage") combined must not weigh more than 26 pounds if you're traveling economy. The weight limit is 40 pounds for premium economy and other higher-class cabins.

See all Air France carry-on policies.

A variety of personal items (think a handbag and umbrella) are permitted as long as they fit under the seat in front of you; this includes any items purchased at the airport.

See all All Nippon Airways carry-on policies.

If airline staff put a yellow tag on your bag, it should be stored under the seat in front of you.

See all British Airways carry-on policies.

Cathay Pacific has shifted from a weight allowance to a piece allowance, and this policy varies by itinerary. Passengers are generally permitted to bring one carry-on bag plus a small personal item (and assistive devices like a walking stick), but it's best to check your booking carefully to confirm the exact allowance. You're asked to check in any baggage that's too heavy to lift into the overhead compartment.

See all Cathay Pacific carry-on policies.

Since easyJet is a budget airline, standard fares only allow customers to bring one personal item (called a "small cabin bag") aboard for free. Fees for standard carry-on bags are between 5.99 and 32.99 British pounds, depending on your destination and when you add an extra bag to your reservation.

See all easyJet carry-on policies.

The above rules apply to all economy passengers except those traveling from Brazil, whose carry-on luggage can weigh up to 22 pounds. Emirates only allows economy passengers to bring one item on board; whether you bring a carry-on bag for the overhead bin or a personal item to tuck under the seat, this bag must comply with the size limits.

See all Emirates carry-on policies.

Be aware that the 22-pound weight limit applies to both your personal item and carry-on combined. If your flight was booked through Iberia but is operated by Vueling, similar rules apply, but the size limits for your carry-on bags are slightly smaller.

See all Iberia carry-on policies.

If you're traveling on the cheaper Light ticket, you may be asked to check your carry-on bag for no extra cost, if space is limited.

See all KLM Royal Dutch Airlines carry-on policies.

See all Lufthansa carry-on policies.

The above rules apply to LowFare+ customers. Passengers who fly LowFare (comparable to Basic Economy fare) can only bring a personal item (underseat bag) measuring 15 x 11.5 x 7.5 inches.

See all Norwegian carry-on policies.

Qantas 

Economy passengers can opt to bring a nonrigid garment bag measuring 45 x 24 x 4 inches (or 73 linear inches) instead of a standard 22 x 14 x 9-inch carry-on bag. The above rules apply to all economy tickets and vary for higher classes on international and domestic flights with Qantas.

See all Qantas carry-on luggage policies.

Qatar Airways allows passengers to bring multiple personal items provided they fit under the seat in front of you. Unlike with other airlines, laptops and laptop bags do not count as personal items and must fit within your main hand baggage allowance. For tickets issued in Brazil, the carry-on weight limit is 22 pounds.

Be careful: Qatar doesn't accept carry-ons longer than 20 inches, which is shorter than many other airlines.

See all Qatar Airways carry-on policies.

Ryanair is a low-cost carrier, so unless you pay extra, you can only bring one small bag that fits under the seat in front of you, per the personal item guidelines above. To bring a larger carry-on bag, travelers need to purchase Ryanair's Priority & 2 Cabin Bags option, which typically costs between 6 and 32 euros depending on your destination.

See all Ryanair carry-on policies.

Tips on Trips and Expert Picks Newsletter

Travel tips, vacation ideas and more to make your next vacation stellar.

Sign up to receive the latest updates from U.S News & World Report and our trusted partners and sponsors. By clicking submit, you are agreeing to our Terms and Conditions & Privacy Policy .

Most (but not all) Scandinavian Airlines fares allow you to bring one traditional carry-on bag, plus a personal item, which SAS calls an "underseat bag." There's one exception: Passengers traveling within Europe on the Go Light fare must pay for a larger carry-on bag. If you booked a Go Light ticket for intercontinental flights, a carry-on bag is included.

See all Scandinavian Airlines carry-on policies.

Singapore Airlines has an unusual method for measuring carry-on bags – the dimensions of the bag must not add up to more than 45 linear inches total. For example, a bag measuring 15 x 15 x 15 inches would be suitable. All passengers can bring one bag of this size, plus a smaller personal item. The personal item, whose dimensions are specified above, does not count toward the 15-pound carry-on limit.

See all Singapore Airlines carry-on policies.

See all Turkish Airlines carry-on policies.

Virgin Atlantic lets every passenger bring a carry-on bag, including children younger than age 2. You can bring a bag weighing no more than 13 pounds for your child, in addition to a collapsible stroller and/or car seat. Each passenger is also allowed to bring a handbag or small backpack, an umbrella, a walking stick and airport purchases. Take note: Laptops do not count as personal items on Virgin Atlantic and should fit into your main carry-on bag. There's no specific size limit on the other personal items, but bags or airport purchases should fit under the seat in front of you.

See all Virgin Atlantic carry-on policies.

Note that the above rules apply to passengers who book a TimeFlex or Premium Fare, as well as anyone traveling with a child under age 2 and/or requiring special assistance at the airport.

See all Vueling carry-on policies.

See all WestJet carry-on policies.

Why Trust U.S. News Travel

Amanda Norcross is a seasoned traveler who packs just one carry-on bag and a personal item – even when adventuring with her toddler . She used her personal experience and research skills to put together this guide, and notes that even if your carry-on bag meets size restrictions, you may still need to check it at the gate because of limited space in the overhead bin. Luckily, it's still free.

You might also be interested in:

• The Best Carry-on Backpacks
• What Is Allowed in a Carry-on?
• What to Pack in a Carry-on Bag
• The Best Travel Insurance Companies

Tags: Travel , Airlines , Travel Tips

World's Best Places To Visit

• # 1 South Island, New Zealand
• # 4 Bora Bora

If you make a purchase from our site, we may earn a commission. This does not affect the quality or independence of our editorial content.

You May Also Like

Fun things to do in oklahoma.

Ben Luthi and Justine Harrington June 20, 2024

Fun Things to Do in Pennsylvania

Amanda Norcross June 20, 2024

What to Bring to a Water Park

Amanda Norcross June 18, 2024

Top Things to Do in New Hampshire

Timothy J. Forster and Mariya Greeley June 14, 2024

The Best Scotland Tours

Marisa Méndez June 13, 2024

Flight Canceled or Delayed? What to Do

Amanda Norcross June 13, 2024

How to Renew a Passport Online

The Best Small Group Tours of Italy

John Rodwan and Ann Henson June 12, 2024

Crystal Symphony Review

Jill Schildhouse June 12, 2024

Fall in New England

Amanda Norcross June 11, 2024

The Ultimate Guide to Luggage Sizes: What Size Should You Get?

We use affiliate links, and receive a small commission if you make purchases through them. Find out more here .

Unlock the Ultimate Guide to Airline Luggage Allowances

Don’t get caught off guard by unexpected baggage fees! With this comprehensive eBook, you’ll have all the information you need at your fingertips.

You have successfully joined our subscriber list.

Did you know that choosing a suitcase (or multiple cases, for that matter) in the right size can save you some money in luggage fees and help you become a more organized traveler?

On one end, unused space in your luggage will result in wrinkled clothes and a messy suitcase. Not to mention the extra weight and possible luggage fees. And on the other – having too little space will limit your packing capacity. That’s why nailing the correct luggage size is very, very important.

In this guide, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about all the different luggage sizes, restrictions, and more, so you can understand what size luggage is better for you. Make sure to check out our FAQ section at the bottom if you still have any questions!

Luggage Size Chart

But before we begin this article, down below you can check out our infographic and table with the most common luggage sizes, which will offer an easier way to grasp the differences between them.

Measuring Luggage

Basically, each airline has different size and weight restrictions for hand and checked luggage. Usually, premium airlines will allow slightly larger bags, and cheaper ones will allow smaller ones with tighter weight limits. Your job as the passenger is to find out the restrictions yourself because they change all the time, and it would be impossible for us to list and update each airline individually.

There are two types of size restrictions that you need to know. The first one is dimensions – height (top to bottom), width (side to side), and depth (front to back). It will usually be applied for personal items and carry-ons and could be stated as follows: 55 x 35 x 25 cm (22 x 14 x 9 inches). Airlines will usually offer measuring boxes inside airports, where you can put in your bags to check if they fit.

The second measurement is linear inches. Linear inches just means the total sum of height, width, and depth, and it’s mainly used for checked luggage, which needs to be under 62 linear inches. So to get linear inches, measure the height, width and depth individually and add them all up.

To measure the dimensions of your suitcase, you can place it next to a wall and measure the height, width, and depth by placing a measuring tape next to the wall. To get a more exact measurement, you can place a book or something flat on the other end of the measuring tape. Make sure to include the wheels, handles, and anything else that’s sticking out! Another thing to keep in mind is that fabric suitcases might become a bit larger once they’re packed to the brim, so before measuring, pack your suitcase full and measure in the widest end.

Hand Luggage

Hand luggage means all the bags that you’re allowed to take with you on the plane without checking them in. Usually, it’s a carry-on, a personal item, and any other items that aren’t counted towards the allowance, such as duty-free items .

Hand luggage has to be stored under each passenger’s front seat or in the overhead compartments, which are located above each seat. You won’t be able to access it during take-off and landing because they have to be tucked away securely in case of an emergency.

When you arrive at the airport, you won’t need to go to the check-in desks if you have just hand luggage, and you’ve already printed your tickets back home. You’ll be able to go straight to security , where TSA (Transport Security Agency) will screen your hand luggage for any prohibited items. After that, you’re free to do duty-free shopping or wait at the designated gate until boarding starts.

Carry-on Luggage vs Personal Items

The main difference between carry-on luggage and personal items (other called “underseat luggage”) is that carry-ons need to be stored in the slightly-larger overhead compartments and personal items under each passenger’s front seat. Usually, most people choose smaller rolling suitcases as their carry-ons and backpacks, duffels, or tote bags as their personal items. That said, you can use any type of bag as a carry-on or a personal item, whether it’s a briefcase, rolling suitcase, duffel bag , backpack, tote, or even a regular shopping bag.

You won’t really be able to access stuff from your carry-on during the first and last 15-30 minutes of the flight, as well as any turbulence, so pack your most necessary items in your personal item, such as your laptop , headphones, e-reader , any medicine, e.t.c.

Personal Item Size and Weight Requirements

Most airlines won’t specifically mention an exact size requirement for personal items, and instead, they’ll just say that it has to fit under the front seat. On average though, it should be 6-9 inches in width, 10-14 inches in height, and 17-18.5 inches in length . They avoid stating the exact measurements because each airline has different types of aircraft in their fleet and each aircraft has a different amount of space under each seat. To get the exact personal item size requirements, you should probably ask the airline directly, or check our list where we compiled personal item restrictions for most popular airlines .

Some airlines also have individual weight restrictions for personal items. But most of them just have some kind of weight limit for the total weight of your personal item and carry-on.

Tip: Looking to purchase a personal item? Check out the Matein Travel laptop backpack , which I’ve used as my personal item on multiple flights without any issues. It always fits under the front seat and it’s surprisingly spacious.

Carry-on Size and Weight Requirements

On average, carry-ons usually have to be 8-10 inches in width, 13-15  inches in height, and 19-23 inches in length. Each airline has different carry-on size requirements, however, the most popular one is 22 x 14 x 9 inches . The restrictions are so different between airlines because the overhead compartments tend to differ in capacity across different aircraft.

In terms of weight, each airline has different weight requirements for carry-on luggage. Most airlines in America don’t have any weight requirements for hand luggage but some do, especially budget airlines. If the airline has a carry-on weight limit, it’s usually between 15-35 lbs (7-16 kg) . Some airlines will also have a specific weight limit for the total weight of carry-ons and personal items.

Tip: Looking for a new carry-on? I’ve used the Travelpro Maxlite 5 19-inch fabric carry-on for a while now and I love it. It’s spacious, lightweight, and very durable. Even though it’s slightly over the limit in width, I’ve never had any issues with that on international flights.

Domestic Carry-Ons vs International Carry-Ons

When you’ll be shopping for a new carry-on, you’ll notice that some of them will be marked as “international carry-on” and some as “domestic carry-on.” That’s because carry-on size restrictions are usually stricter for international flights and looser for domestic ones. If you’re flying domestically, you might get away with a 23-inch (longest side) carry-on, but on an international flight, you’ll probably be limited to 19-21 inches.

So essentially, domestic carry-ons will be slightly larger than international ones. If the carry-on is too large , you will be asked to check it in, and you’ll have to pay additional fees. That’s why it’s important to buy a smaller carry-on if you’re planning on flying internationally. Usually, international carry-ons will have to be under 22 x 14 x 9 inches .

Hand Luggage Fees

Almost all airlines will allow bringing one personal item completely for free. When it comes to carry-ons though, most airlines allow bringing one for free, but budget airlines might charge a fixed fee depending on your class, which could be anywhere from 10$ to 50$. For instance, Spirit airlines will charge 31-50$ for carry-on luggage and Ryanair will charge about 6-20 EUR.

Keep in mind that most of these items are usually allowed for free in addition to other hand baggage:

• Assistive devices for the disabled
• Other wearable clothes
• Walking canes
• Food in disposable containers meant to consume on the airplane
• Child restraint seats
• Duty-free items
• Reading materials
• Cameras ( some airlines consider cameras as personal items, while others don’t. )
• Pet carriers ( Some airlines consider pet carriers as personal items, while others don’t. )

Read Next : 12 Best Underseat Bags Without Wheels in 2022

Hand Luggage Advantages and Disadvantages

Using only hand luggage and avoiding checked luggage altogether is a technique used by many, me included because it offers many benefits:

• No need to wait in line at the check-in counter
• Most of the time, completely for free
• Less likely to be stolen or lost because it’s on you at all times
• Easier to carry around, especially if you use a backpack as a personal item together with a carry-on suitcase
• The best place for keeping valuables and fragile items
• You can access all of your items during the flight
• Less likely to break because it isn’t exposed to baggage handling

However, there are some drawbacks to using only hand luggage, such as:

• Less packing space
• Harder to manage for families because they usually need to bring more items
• It needs to be lugged around the airport after security instead of being handed over at the check-in desks
• Usually, has much stricter weight limits

Tips for Buying Hand Luggage

• If you’re flying on short flights, consider using only an underseat rolling suitcase or backpack. People who fly for business often only need to fly out domestically for a quick meeting, so a lot of them travel with only a personal item. You can easily fit a spare shirt in there as well as some toiletries and a laptop, which is really all you need.
• For up to two-week vacations, a carry-on and a personal item offer more than enough space. Personally, I’m a light packer, and I can travel for up to three weeks or even a month using only a carry-on and a personal item. For most people, this offers enough space.
• Consider getting a backpack with a back strap as your choice of personal item. That way, you can secure it around the retractable handle on top of your carry-on, which makes it incredibly easy to lug around. Especially in crowded areas, such as public transport and airports.
• If you’ll be flying internationally, get a carry-on under 22 x 14 x 9 inches with wheels and handles included. On domestic flights, you’ll probably be able to use something larger, but if you want to avoid paying extra fees down the line, make sure your carry-on is under this limit.
• Make sure to get lightweight hand luggage. The weight restrictions are pretty strict as it is already, so make sure to get a lightweight carry-on and personal item. Especially the carry-on, because you’ll have to stow it in the overhead compartments. So instead of going with a hardside carry-on, get a fabric one instead, which will most likely be lighter.

Read Next: Airport Travel Terminology 101 – The Ultimate Guide

Checked Luggage

Checked luggage is all baggage that’s too large or too heavy to be carried on the flight, and has to be checked in instead. This means that you’ll need to hand it over at the check-in counters at the airport. The baggage will then be transferred over to baggage handling and it will be loaded in the cargo hold of the airplane . When you land, you’ll have to pick up your checked luggage from the luggage conveyor belts in the baggage reclaim area.

You can use other kinds of baggage as well for checked luggage, not just suitcases. You can also use large backpacks, duffel bags, totes, musical instruments in their cases, large trunks, and other oversized items. A lot of times, you’ll have to check in specialty items, such as large musical instruments and all kinds of sporting equipment, such as bicycles, snowboards, golf clubs, e.t.c.

Read Next: What to Put in Carry-on and What in Checked Luggage (Guide)

Checked Luggage Size and Weight Restrictions

Most commonly, checked luggage will have a size restriction of 62 linear inches (height + width + length) and a weight limit of 50 or 70 lbs. These are the IATA guidelines that are enforced in the EU and US which are there to keep the baggage handlers from handling too heavy bags. Oversized and overweight baggage will be accepted, but it will be labeled as oversized/overweight and you’ll have to pay a fee for that unless it’s sporting equipment. For instance, American Airlines will accept oversized bags up to 126 linear inches (320 cm) and overweight bags up to 100 lbs (45 kg.)

Small vs Medium vs Large Checked Luggage

Checked luggage comes in different sizes, and usually, the longest dimension is 23-32 inches long. Depending on the longest side, checked luggage is usually divided into three sizes, which are small, medium, and large. Small checked suitcases usually are 23-24 inches on the longest size, medium ones 25-27 inches, and large ones in 28-32 inches. Quite often, suitcases above 30 inches will actually be oversized, because they’re over 62 linear inches with wheels and handles included.

For most people, a medium checked suitcase will be the best option, because it will be just within the checked luggage size limits and offer a large amount of space for all of their items.

Read Next: 8 Best 62-Inch Checked Suitcases in 2022

Checked Luggage Fees

On most international flights, airlines will allow you to bring one or two checked bags completely for free. On domestic flights, usually, they’ll offer either one free checked bag or none at all. This depends a lot on the airline though. Additional bags will cost on a per-bag basis, starting with cheaper rates and continuing with more expensive ones. For instance, for American Airlines on domestic flights, the first checked bag will cost 30$, the second 40$, and the third one 100$ .

If you aren’t flying alone and you’re carrying a lot of checked bags, it’s usually a better idea to split them evenly among all the passengers to save some money on the checked baggage fees. It also isn’t advisable to bring more than two checked bags because the fees start to get pretty costly after that.

The fees for overweight and oversized luggage can get very expensive, upwards of 100-200$ for each bag, so before you arrive at the airport, make sure that each bag is under the weight limit.

Checked Luggage Advantages and Disadvantages

Although there are a lot of disadvantages for flying with checked luggage, there are some advantages as well, such as:

• Checked bags offer much more space
• Better for families who carry a lot of items
• Checked bags don’t need to be carried around the airport after checking them in
• No need to worry about size and weight, as the restrictions are pretty hard to reach
• You should be able to get away with a slightly oversized checked bag because they’re rarely measured

However, there’s a reason why I don’t travel with checked luggage. In my opinion, it has more disadvantages, such as:

• With a personal item, carry-on, and a checked suitcase, it’s much more difficult to use public transport
• Checked luggage is mostly a paid service, especially with budget airlines
• There’s just too much space if you’re a light packer
• Checked bags can get damaged from baggage handling
• Items get lost or stolen much more frequently when packed in checked luggage
• You won’t be able to access the contents of checked luggage during the whole flight
• In case checked baggage gets lost, you’ll be left without a lot of items and your trip might be ruined
• You’ll have to wait in the check-in line at the airport

Tips for Buying Checked Luggage

• Avoid plastic checked suitcases. Hardside ABS, Polycarbonate, or Polypropylene suitcases can crack pretty easily. When they’re thrown in the baggage area under a pile of other suitcases, this can happen very easily. That’s why you should choose an aluminum checked suitcase or a fabric one, which will be much less likely to break.
• Before buying a checked suitcase, double-check that it’s below 62 linear inches.  Oversized checked luggage fees can get pretty expensive, usually between 100-200$. To avoid this hefty fee make sure that your suitcase is below 62 linear inches (height + width + depth) with handles and wheels included. A very large amount of large checked suitcases, in fact, about 50-80% of them are oversized, so pay close attention to the dimensions.
• A medium checked suitcase (25-27 inches) is more than enough for most people. Usually, medium checked suitcases are 58-61 linear inches in size, which is just below the 62 linear inch size limit, so when you’re looking for a checked suitcase, get one in this size.
• Get a bright or patterned checked suitcase. Checked luggage gets lost much more frequently. So when you’re shopping for a new case, make sure to get one that’s colorful and easy to recognize . It will be much easier to spot on the baggage carousel and if it gets lost, the chances of finding it will be much better because you’ll be able to describe it better. If you already own a dark checked suitcase, get a colorful patterned luggage cover .
• Avoid checked luggage with spinner wheels. Rolling, inline (2 wheels) suitcases are better options for checked suitcases because they’re much less likely to break while the bag is checked in. Spinner wheels are much more likely to fall off because they’re extended out from the main shape of the suitcase. It’s actually one of the most common things that break on checked bags.
• Consider getting a pelican trunk instead of a typical checked suitcase. They’re basically indestructible and they’re one of the most popular choices for climbers, camera crews, and other people who need to bring a lot of expensive checked gear.

What Size Luggage Should You Get?

There are all kinds of different factors that determine what kind of suitcase you should get. Before buying any luggage, you should understand how often and where you’ll be traveling, how many people you’ll be flying with, what are your packing traditions, and so on.

Are You an Over-Packer?

There’s nothing wrong with being an over-packer, but it will affect what kind of luggage you should choose and how much you’ll be paying in fees. Most over-packers like to travel with a checked suitcase and a personal item, such as a small backpack, skipping the carry-on entirely. You’ll be able to pack your valuables and essentials in the personal item and be left with a very large amount of space in your checked suitcase, where you can pack all of your clothing and anything else you’d need. A medium checked suitcase will usually offer about 90-100 l of space while a carry-on only 35-50 l, so the difference is pretty significant.

How Long You’ll Be Traveling?

The length of your trips/vacations also determines what kind of luggage you should get. If you’ll be traveling for months, unless you’re an extreme minimalist, you’ll need to bring some kind of checked luggage. But for two to three-week trips, it’s perfectly fine to bring only a carry-on and a personal item, unless you’re an over-packer or you need to bring other kinds of gear for your job, planned activities, e.t.c.

Where You’re Flying to and What Are Your Planned Activities?

Think about what you’ll be doing and what gear you’ll need. Do you need scuba diving or skiing gear? Are you into photography and need to bring a large tripod? Are you flying to a cold-weather country and you need to bring a lot of extra warm clothing? The kind of travel that you’ll be doing, determines what size luggage you should get.

Think about valuable and fragile gear specifically. Try to keep the most valuable items in your hand luggage. If that isn’t possible, remember to ensure your gear and invest in a durable, large enough, checked suitcase or trunk. A good option for that is the pelican trunk , which is the industry standard for professionals.

Tip: It’s Better to Buy a Smaller Suitcase, Instead of a Larger One

Many people will probably disagree but I personally think that it’s always a smarter choice to buy a smaller suitcase instead of a larger one. This will make you become a lighter packer, which could end up saving you some money in the long run on checked baggage fees.

A lot of times, people are bringing gear that they don’t really need and end up with heavier, oversized suitcases. Remember that you’ll also have to carry your luggage around the town and to the airport. You’re on a vacation to get new experiences, not buy a lot of unneeded stuff, and be exhausted from carrying an oversized suitcase. Of course, if you’re traveling for work, that may not be true, but for general leisure travel, it’s a better idea to get a slightly smaller suitcase than you think you’d need.

What Size Luggage I Use Personally

I usually travel one or two weeks at a time, so a personal item (backpack) and an international carry-on are more than enough to fit in everything that I need. I rarely use checked luggage because I’m a minimalistic packer.

My favorite has become the B06XZTZ7GB ?tag=cleverjourney-general-th-20&linkCode=ogi&th=1&psc=1′ title=’Matein laptop backpack’ target=’_blank’ rel=’nofollow noopener sponsored’ data-aawp-product-id=’ B06XZTZ7GB ‘ data-aawp-product-title=’Matein laptop backpack’>Matein laptop backpack for a personal item, which fits perfectly under the front seat and has many neat compartments for everything that I need. It’s 18 x 12 x 7.8 inches large, but I never pack it full, so it always fits under the front seat.

And for the carry-on, I use the B07BM9DFX9 ?tag=cleverjourney-general-th-20&linkCode=ogi&th=1&psc=1′ title=’Travelpro Maxlite 5 International 19-inch carry-on’ target=’_blank’ rel=’nofollow noopener sponsored’ data-aawp-product-id=’ B07BM9DFX9 ‘ data-aawp-product-title=’Travelpro Maxlite 5 International 19-inch carry-on’>Travelpro Maxlite 5 International 19-inch carry-on , which is pretty light and small enough for domestic luggage restrictions. It’s 21.75 x 15.75 x 7.75 inches large with wheels and handles included, so sometimes it’s a little bit above international limits, but I’ve never had any issues with it. I’ve tried squeezing it inside the measurement boxes myself, and I managed to fit it in with a tight squeeze.

My laptop backpack has a rear strap that wraps around the carry-on’s retractable handle so my backpack can be secured on top of it. It’s handy because my carry-on has spinner wheels, and it’s super easy to move around. In tight spaces, for instance, in the subway, it’s much easier to store the backpack on top of the carry-on.

If you’re a light packer like me, I’d suggest going with a backpack and a carry-on. It’ll be enough for 1-2 week trips, but if you wash some clothes midway and don’t buy too many souvenirs, you can stretch that to three weeks or even a month. If you’re traveling longer than that or you’re an over-packer, you should get a 25-27-inch medium checked suitcase instead of the carry-on.

Also check out: Airplane seat upgrades

Frequently Asked Questions About Luggage Sizes

What’s the largest luggage size for checked-in luggage ( 62-inch luggage ).

In order to comply with the 62-linear-inch checked luggage size requirement, you shouldn’t get a suitcase larger than 29-30 inches (longest side.) Almost all 31 and 32-inch suitcases will be oversized. Even a lot of 28-30-inch suitcases are oversized, so you have to double-check the product description and find out how large they really are. Count the total sum of the height, width, and depth, with wheels and handles included to get the true linear-inch measurement. The largest suitcases within the 62-linear-inch restriction are about 100-120l in volume.

To maximize the amount of space that you can have inside, choose a fabric suitcase, which will open from the top, instead of the middle, as you see on most hardside cases. This means you’ll have a larger main compartment. Also, make sure to get it with inline rolling wheels, instead of spinner ones, which results in a lot of unused space.

Tip: If you want to maximize the amount of space you get from a 62-linear-inch checked suitcase, get the Pelican 1615 travel case , which is exactly 62 linear inches in size and is virtually indestructible.

What’s the largest size for hand luggage?

When we talk about hand luggage, there are different restrictions for personal items and carry-ons. There are also different restrictions for each airline. In general, personal items should be below 17 x 10 x 7 inches in dimensions and carry-ons under 22 x 14 x 9 inches.

The largest size restriction for personal items that we found was on Southwest airlines, where personal items need to be under 18.5 x 13.5 x 8.5 inches. The largest size restriction for carry-ons was on Alaska Air, which was 24 x 17 x 10 inches. Generally, more expensive airlines will have looser restrictions for hand luggage.

What are the 3 luggage sizes?

If we’re talking about dimensions, the three luggage sizes are height (from top to bottom), width (from side to side), and depth (from front to back).

If, however, we’re talking in terms of luggage types, what people most likely mean with the 3 luggage sizes is personal items, carry-ons, and checked luggage, which have three different size and weight restrictions.

What’s the best luggage size for 20 and 23 kg?

The most common weight restriction for checked luggage on budget airlines is 20 or 23 kg (44 or 50 lbs). The best luggage size for this weight restriction is between 25-29 inches (longest size) . That’s because 20 or 23 kg checked luggage has to be under 62 linear inches (157 cm). You can calculate the linear inches by adding up height, width, and depth. Most suitcases above 29 inches will be over this limit, which means you’ll have to pay oversized baggage fees. You should always include the wheels and handles in these measurements.

Can I use backpacks and duffel bags as hand/checked luggage?

Yes, you can use backpacks and duffel bags as checked luggage. Theoretically, you can use any type of bag as checked luggage, as long as it’s durable enough to withstand baggage handling. You could even use a cardboard box , although it may not be a wise idea.

Personally, I’ve only traveled with a large backpack as my checked luggage. That’s because I do a lot of hiking and my hiking backpack is much larger than a carry-on. It’s pretty common for people to travel only with a large backpack (not only hike) and keep their essentials in a plastic bag or a tote bag during the flight. This gives you a lot of freedom because everything you need is packed inside one large backpack.

Do I need to include wheels and handles when measuring luggage?

You always need to include wheels, handles, and other elements that are sticking out when measuring luggage. A lot of people don’t know this and they end up purchasing oversized luggage, only to regret it later. You also need to take into account that if you’re buying an expendable suitcase, it will become a few inches wider when expanded.

What size luggage should I use for a week-long trip?

For a week-long trip, everyone should be able to fit everything they’d need in a carry-on and a personal item. Some people struggle with over-packing and end up using checked luggage for week-long trips, which can be avoided with smarter packing choices. When packing for your trip, always lay everything out and re-evaluate each individual item individually. Ask yourself if you’ll be using these items on your trip. And if the answer is “Maybe” you should leave that specific item at home. Personally, I can fit everything I’d need for 2-4 weeks in a single carry-on and a personal item.

What if my checked luggage is oversized?

IATA, which is the largest worldwide airline regulator, states that checked bags can’t be over 62 linear inches in order to keep the baggage handlers from working with oversized bags. Anything over 62 linear inches will be labeled as “oversized” and will cost you an extra 100-200$, depending on the airline.

Even if you pay the hefty oversized luggage fees, there is a limit to how large checked luggage you can bring. Each airline considers this individually, and, for instance, American Airlines will allow oversized bags up to 126 linear inches (320 cm).

The rules are slightly different for sporting equipment, though. Bicycles, for instance, will almost always be allowed, even if they’re oversized, and their luggage fees won’t be as expensive.

What if my checked luggage is overweight?

Overweight checked luggage is allowed, but will be marked as overweight and will cost an additional 100-200$, depending on the airline. IATA states that checked baggage can’t weigh over 70 lbs (31 kg), to protect the baggage handlers from working with overweight items, so anything over that will be marked as overweight. Each airline has a different limit on overweight checked luggage. For instance, American Airlines will allow checked baggage up to 100 lbs (45 kg).

Do carry-on measurements need to be exact?

Unfortunately, carry-on measurements need to be exact. Most airlines have measurement boxes inside airports, which are in the exact measurements of their restrictions. If your carry-on looks oversized, they’ll ask you to put it inside the measurement box. Carry-on suitcases aren’t really flexible, so you won’t be able to get away with an oversized carry-on. If, on the other hand, you’re using a duffel bag or a backpack as your carry-on, then you might get away with a slightly oversized bag, as you’ll be able to squeeze it inside the measurement box.

Should I get hard or soft luggage ?

There are pros and cons for both, but I personally tend to lean towards fabric luggage. It’s lighter, less likely to crack or break, and you can extend it slightly outwards if you’ve over-packed. On the other hand, hardside luggage offers more protection to your items and is better-looking in my opinion. Modern hardside suitcases made from Polycarbonate are also pretty durable and don’t weigh much more than comparable fabric alternatives. So it doesn’t really matter that much whether you choose a hardside or softside bag – it’s more a matter of preference.

The only real instance where I wouldn’t use a hardside plastic suitcase is in checked luggage. They’re put under a lot more pressure from baggage handling and quite often, they get thrown around and placed at the bottom of a pile of checked suitcases. They’re much more likely to each up with cracks or dents, so using a fabric-checked suitcase would make more sense.

Should I get a rolling or spinner suitcase ?

There are advantages to both, but generally, it’s better to stick with spinner suitcases for carry-on luggage and rolling ones for checked luggage. That’s because while spinner suitcases are much easier to move around, they’re much easier to break off the suitcase. And in checked luggage, they’re much more likely to break off from luggage handling.

Rolling suitcases will usually be more spacious because the wheels are somewhat integrated within the main frame. On spinner suitcases, they’ll extend outwards of the suitcase, which results in a lot of unused space underneath the suitcase. Remember that the wheels are counted towards the total measurements.

But if you’re having back problems or in general lugging around a suitcase gives you hard time, then a suitcase with spinner wheels might make more sense. Compared to inline rolling suitcases, they’re much, much easier to move around – they practically roll by themselves.

How much luggage can I bring on international flights ?

Most airlines will allow one personal item and one carry-on for free on international flights. As for checked luggage, most airlines will allow one or even two checked bags for free for each passenger, and the rest will need to be paid for with additional fees, ranging from 30-100$. In general, the fees increase for each next checked bag and could be as follows: 30$ for the first checked bag, 40$ for the second, and 100$ for each next one.

You’ll be able to bring up to 10 checked suitcases (even though it’ll cost a small fortune!) but on some international destinations, a bit less. Airlines operate within the rules set by airline regulators, and in some countries, each passenger can have only two or three checked bags.

How many pieces and what size should a luggage set be?

Most luggage sets come in three pieces: one carry-on (19-23 inches), one medium checked suitcase (25-27 inches), and one large checked suitcase (28-32 inches). I would advise against getting a 3-piece luggage set like this because quite often, the largest piece in the set is oversized, which means that it’s above the 62 linear inch limit and you’ll have to pay oversized luggage fees.

Instead, it would be much more beneficial to get a 2-piece set containing a carry-on and a medium checked suitcase, or a 3-piece set that also contains a personal item (underseat bag). If you’re getting a 3-piece set with a large checked bag, make sure that it isn’t oversized.

Luggage sets are often cheaper to get than buying each piece individually, so it’s quite often a smarter choice to buy a whole set.

Final Words

Getting the right size luggage is really important because if it’s oversized, you might end up paying extra in fees, or just end up with a lot of unused space. For anyone new to traveling, I’d advise getting a small backpack as a personal item and a carry-on that’s within 22 x 14 x 9 inches. This is more than enough for most trips, and I’m usually able to squeeze in everything needed for 2-4 weeks in there. If you’re an over-packer, you might need to swap that carry-on with a medium checked suitcase, which would be 25-27 inches in size (longest end).

You Might Also Enjoy

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Featured in

GET CONNECTED

Follow Clever Journey on social media for travel tips, packing hacks, and latest updates!

SUB TO NEWSLETTER

Subscribe to our newsletter to get the latest travel tips, packing hacks, gear reviews, and bargain deals straight to your inbox. We hate spam, so we’ll send only the most important stuff.

Carry-on Luggage Size and Weight Limits by Airline (2024)

Text Callout : Key Takeaways - Carry-on Luggage Sizes

If you're traveling with carry-on luggage and/or a personal item, you'll need to adhere to size restrictions in the same way you do with checked bags . These rules include the dimensions of your carry-on bag and, in some scenarios, even the weight.

What size luggage is a carry-on?

While carry-on luggage sizes can vary by airline, several major carriers go by these dimensions.

Airlines calculate carry-on luggage size measurements using two methods:

• Height by width by depth:  Most – but not all – airlines measure bags by inches or centimeters using this formula: height by width by depth, such as 22 x 14 x 9 inches. (Note: The dimensions listed below, which are given according to that formula, may differ slightly from the way each individual airline formats its size requirements.)
• Linear inches:  A few airlines have linear inch restrictions for carry-on baggage, meaning the airline gives one number for the total of all three dimensions. As long as the combined height, width and depth don't exceed that number, you're in the clear.

Can a 24-inch bag be a carry-on?

Yes, a 24-inch bag can be used as a carry-on suitcase when flying with the following airlines: Frontier, Southwest and Sun Country . However, if you're shopping for new carry-on luggage, it's best to opt for something that meets the requirements for most major airlines (22 x 14 x 9 inches or smaller).

Is there a weight limit for carry-on bags?

Most major domestic airlines do not impose a weight limit on carry-on bags; however, several international airlines have weight restrictions for carry-on luggage and, in some cases, personal items.

Carry-on vs. personal item: What's the difference?

A carry-on bag is typically stored in a plane's overhead bin, while a personal item should fit under the seat in front of you. Most airlines allow economy passengers to bring one carry-on and one personal item – such as an underseat bag – at no extra cost.

Carry-on luggage sizes by airline

Click on the major domestic and international airlines below to see their carry-on luggage size restrictions in inches for economy passengers – and note that any handles and wheels on your bags count toward size limits as well.

Category Navigation Box Enhancement : Table of Contents - Travel - Carry-on Luggage Sizes

Alaska Airlines

See all Alaska Airlines carry-on policies.

Allegiant Air

The fee is often around $20 if you pay for your carry-on baggage at the time of booking; it costs a hefty $45 if you add a carry-on bag later – and up to $75 at the gate.

See all Allegiant Air carry-on policies.

American Airlines

The above rules also apply to basic economy tickets.

See all American Airlines carry-on policies.

Delta Air Lines

Note that if you're flying to or from Beijing or Shanghai, there is a 22-pound weight limit for a carry-on; for Singapore, there is a 15-pound limit.

See all Delta Airlines carry-on policies.

Frontier Airlines

There are two instances where the carry-on bag fee is waived:

• You're an elite member of the  FRONTIER Miles rewards program .
• You bought a specialty ticket like the WORKS bundle.

Also note that carry-on bag fees, which typically start at around $30, depend on your destination, and that prices are cheapest if you add baggage when you make your booking. You'll pay more to add it later, especially if you do so at the airport. Sometimes it's actually cheaper to purchase a checked bag instead of a carry-on.

See all Frontier Airlines carry-on policies.

Hawaiian Airlines

See all Hawaiian Airlines carry-on policies.

If you booked a Blue Basic ticket, you're only permitted to bring a personal item that fits under the seat in front of you. If you bring a carry-on bag, you must pay $65 to check it at the gate (or up to $180 if you've already checked two other bags). This will change on Sept. 6, 2024, when JetBlue will begin offering one free carry-on bag to all Blue Basic customers, regardless of purchase date.

Currently, select customers with Blue Basic fares can bring carry-on bags for free. These include:

• Active U.S. military personnel
• Unaccompanied minors
• Customers flying to London

If you purchase a higher-class seat or if you reach Mosaic status on JetBlue's TrueBlue rewards program , you can also bring a carry-on bag for free on a Blue Basic ticket.

See all JetBlue carry-on policies.

Southwest Airlines

See all Southwest Airlines carry-on policies.

Spirit Airlines

Spirit's carry-on bag fees vary between flights, but they tend to start at around $25 to $30 for U.S. domestic flights. If you need to bring carry-on luggage, it's always cheapest to pay for it when you first book your flight. It will cost you more to add a bag afterward – and at least double the initial fee if you do it at the airport.

See all Spirit Airlines carry-on policies.

Sun Country Airlines

The Sun Country Airlines fee for a carry-on bag is around $30 if you pay for it when booking, or more if you add it later.

See all Sun Country carry-on policies.

United Airlines

There's one notable exception for carry-on baggage with United: Passengers with a basic economy ticket can only take one personal item on board – no carry-on bag. This policy applies to travelers flying basic economy domestically or between the U.S. and Canada. If you have a basic economy ticket and are going to Central or South America (including Mexico) or taking trans-Atlantic or trans-Pacific flights, you can bring a full-size carry-on bag.

See all United Airlines carry-on policies.

Aer Lingus' carry-on policy depends on where you're flying. For trans-Atlantic flights, you can bring one carry-on bag within the dimensions above, plus a small personal item for free. If you're flying within Europe on Aer Lingus, the rules are a bit different: You'll have to pay a fee to bring a carry-on with you on board, starting at 5.99 euros. However, you can check that same bag for free.

If you're flying Aer Lingus Regional (a service with smaller planes, flying mostly around Ireland and the U.K.), a smaller carry-on limit applies: 18.5 x 13 x 8 inches, with a weight limit of 15 pounds.

See all Aer Lingus carry-on policies.

All Aeroméxico customers can bring a standard carry-on bag and a personal item on board. Be careful with the weight limit, though: For international flights or basic fare flights within Mexico, these two items combined cannot weigh more than 22 pounds. So, if your carry-on bag weighs 15 pounds, for example, your personal item cannot be more than 7 pounds.

See all Aeroméxico carry-on policies.

While there's no weight limit for carry-on luggage, Air Canada says your carry-on bag should be light enough that it can easily be lifted into the overhead bin. Also note that airport purchases (for example, larger duty-free items) count toward your baggage limit.

See all Air Canada carry-on policies.

Note that both your personal item and carry-on bag (referred to as "hand baggage") combined must not weigh more than 26 pounds if you're traveling economy. The weight limit is 40 pounds for premium economy and other higher-class cabins.

See all Air France carry-on policies.

All Nippon Airways

A variety of personal items (think a handbag and umbrella) are permitted as long as they fit under the seat in front of you; this includes any items purchased at the airport.

See all All Nippon Airways carry-on policies.

British Airways

If airline staff put a yellow tag on your bag, it should be stored under the seat in front of you.

See all British Airways carry-on policies.

Cathay Pacific

Cathay Pacific has shifted from a weight allowance to a piece allowance, and this policy varies by itinerary. Passengers are generally permitted to bring one carry-on bag plus a small personal item (and assistive devices like a walking stick), but it's best to check your booking carefully to confirm the exact allowance. You're asked to check in any baggage that's too heavy to lift into the overhead compartment.

See all Cathay Pacific carry-on policies.

Since easyJet is a budget airline, standard fares only allow customers to bring one personal item (called a "small cabin bag") aboard for free. Fees for standard carry-on bags are between 5.99 and 32.99 British pounds, depending on your destination and when you add an extra bag to your reservation.

See all easyJet carry-on policies.

The above rules apply to all economy passengers except those traveling from Brazil, whose carry-on luggage can weigh up to 22 pounds. Emirates only allows economy passengers to bring one item on board; whether you bring a carry-on bag for the overhead bin or a personal item to tuck under the seat, this bag must comply with the size limits.

See all Emirates carry-on policies.

Be aware that the 22-pound weight limit applies to both your personal item and carry-on combined. If your flight was booked through Iberia but is operated by Vueling, similar rules apply, but the size limits for your carry-on bags are slightly smaller.

See all Iberia carry-on policies.

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines

If you're traveling on the cheaper Light ticket, you may be asked to check your carry-on bag for no extra cost, if space is limited.

See all KLM Royal Dutch Airlines carry-on policies.

See all Lufthansa carry-on policies.

The above rules apply to LowFare+ customers. Passengers who fly LowFare (comparable to Basic Economy fare) can only bring a personal item (underseat bag) measuring 15 x 11.5 x 7.5 inches.

See all Norwegian carry-on policies.

Qantas 

Economy passengers can opt to bring a nonrigid garment bag measuring 45 x 24 x 4 inches (or 73 linear inches) instead of a standard 22 x 14 x 9-inch carry-on bag. The above rules apply to all economy tickets and vary for higher classes on international and domestic flights with Qantas.

See all Qantas carry-on luggage policies.

Qatar Airways

Qatar Airways allows passengers to bring multiple personal items provided they fit under the seat in front of you. Unlike with other airlines, laptops and laptop bags do not count as personal items and must fit within your main hand baggage allowance. For tickets issued in Brazil, the carry-on weight limit is 22 pounds.

Be careful: Qatar doesn't accept carry-ons longer than 20 inches, which is shorter than many other airlines.

See all Qatar Airways carry-on policies.

Ryanair is a low-cost carrier, so unless you pay extra, you can only bring one small bag that fits under the seat in front of you, per the personal item guidelines above. To bring a larger carry-on bag, travelers need to purchase Ryanair's Priority & 2 Cabin Bags option, which typically costs between 6 and 32 euros depending on your destination.

See all Ryanair carry-on policies.

360 Kiosk Email : Tips on Trips and Expert Picks

Scandinavian Airlines

Most (but not all) Scandinavian Airlines fares allow you to bring one traditional carry-on bag, plus a personal item, which SAS calls an "underseat bag." There's one exception: Passengers traveling within Europe on the Go Light fare must pay for a larger carry-on bag. If you booked a Go Light ticket for intercontinental flights, a carry-on bag is included.

See all Scandinavian Airlines carry-on policies.

Singapore Airlines

Singapore Airlines has an unusual method for measuring carry-on bags – the dimensions of the bag must not add up to more than 45 linear inches total. For example, a bag measuring 15 x 15 x 15 inches would be suitable. All passengers can bring one bag of this size, plus a smaller personal item. The personal item, whose dimensions are specified above, does not count toward the 15-pound carry-on limit.

See all Singapore Airlines carry-on policies.

Turkish Airlines

See all Turkish Airlines carry-on policies.

Virgin Atlantic

Virgin Atlantic lets every passenger bring a carry-on bag, including children younger than age 2. You can bring a bag weighing no more than 13 pounds for your child, in addition to a collapsible stroller and/or car seat. Each passenger is also allowed to bring a handbag or small backpack, an umbrella, a walking stick and airport purchases. Take note: Laptops do not count as personal items on Virgin Atlantic and should fit into your main carry-on bag. There's no specific size limit on the other personal items, but bags or airport purchases should fit under the seat in front of you.

See all Virgin Atlantic carry-on policies.

Note that the above rules apply to passengers who book a TimeFlex or Premium Fare, as well as anyone traveling with a child under age 2 and/or requiring special assistance at the airport.

See all Vueling carry-on policies.

See all WestJet carry-on policies.

Why Trust U.S. News Travel

Amanda Norcross is a seasoned traveler who packs just one carry-on bag and a personal item – even when adventuring with her toddler . She used her personal experience and research skills to put together this guide, and notes that even if your carry-on bag meets size restrictions, you may still need to check it at the gate because of limited space in the overhead bin. Luckily, it's still free.

You might also be interested in:

• The Best Carry-on Backpacks
• What Is Allowed in a Carry-on?
• What to Pack in a Carry-on Bag
• The Best Travel Insurance Companies

Copyright 2024 U.S. News & World Report

Luggage shop by size

Checked Luggage: The Complete Guide

There are many trips where you can’t get what you need into a carry-on bag. But sometimes, it's easier to bring a bigger bag. When you check a bag, you can pack luxuries that won't fit in your carry-on and bring items that aren't allowed through TSA.

So, what is checked luggage? How does it differ from a personal item? What are the checked baggage fees, and what are the rules around the maximum size and maximum weight of checked suitcases? Let’s explore.

How Much Does it Cost to Check a Bag?

The budget-savvy traveler may use a carry-on only – it just costs too much to check a bag, right? It actually depends. Your first checked bag can set you back as much as $75 or more unless you know how to get that fee waived.

Domestic vs International – Depending on the airline and class you fly in, overseas travel usually includes one or two free checked bags.

Airline Member Perks – If you are a frequent flier with elite status, a member of the airline’s rewards program, or carry the airline’s credit card, you may be rewarded with one free checked bag per flight.

First-Class or Economy – Most airlines offer a free checked bag to their first-class and business-class passengers. Those flying in economy or basic economy usually pay for checked baggage.

Heavy Bags – Whether or not you paid check bag fees, if your checked luggage weighs more than the weight limit (usually 50 lbs), you can be charged hefty overweight bag fees.

Each airline varies, but fees usually land around $100 for bags weighing 1-20 lbs over the limit and $200 for bags 21-50 lbs over. If your bag exceeds 101 pounds, don't be surprised if the airline won't check it or charges you $300 or more.

What Counts as Checked Luggage?

Airlines refer to three types of bags: your personal item, your carry-on, and your checked luggage. Size is more important than the type of luggage in determining whether you can carry on or it needs to be checked. But you may wonder, "Can I check a box as luggage"? The short answer: yes, you can!

When using a cardboard box as checked luggage, be sure that it's durable enough to withstand the trip and – perhaps more importantly – the box doesn't exceed weight or size limits established by your chosen airline. For most travelers, using a box to transport items is not convenient nor practical. There are so many styles of luggage that may be better for your needs. Check out  our luggage guide to find the right luggage for your needs.

Checked Luggage Sizes and Restrictions

Each airline publishes its own baggage size and weight limits. Size limits for checked luggage focus on overall dimensions. For most airlines, the largest luggage size for check-in is 62 linear inches. This means the total length + width + depth must equal 62 inches or less.

RELATED: Our  luggage size guide takes the guesswork out of measuring your bags before you get on the plane.

Some airlines have different size restrictions, but that 62-inch rule is pretty standard. The below chart represents the published size and weight limits for individual airlines.

US DOMESTIC AIRLINES

International airlines.

These are the restrictions for economy fare classes. Many airlines allow larger or heavier bags for their first-class and business-class passengers.

Carry-On Luggage Weight Restrictions

Checked luggage has weight and size restrictions, but what about your carry-on or personal item? Before heading to the airport, check out how we  put carry-on luggage to the test .

Airlines limit the size of carry-on luggage to fit into the overhead bins, but most do not have restrictions on weight. Just remember, you need to be able to lift it to store it in the bin above your seat.

To get the most in your carry-on or checked bag without being weighed down, choose lightweight luggage. Travelpro has a broad selection of luggage that is lightweight but ultra-durable. Our  Maxlite 5 series is among the lightest and most durable luggage you can buy.

What to Pack in Your Checked Luggage

If you travel light, you might be able to get by with just a carry-on. However, there are times when you want to check a bag to bring items that might not be allowed in your carry-on.

What is allowed in checked baggage differs considerably from what is allowed in carry-on luggage.

Most sporting equipment, anything sharp, and items that could be used as a weapon must be in your checked baggage. Your carry-on, however, can be used for most things that you might need quick access to, including toiletries under 3.4 oz., medication, and a change of clothes. Take a look at our article on  what not to bring in your carry-on for a list of items that are and are not allowed.

Checking your luggage helps free up space in your carry-on, making your trip a lot more pleasant. Know the guidelines so you don't get hit with an additional charge when checking in for your next adventure.

FIND THE BEST SUITCASE WITH THE TRAVELPRO® LUGGAGE FINDER

🧭 explore our guides, luggage shopping guides.

Beginner Travel Tips

Airline tips.

Luggage Repair & Maintenance

• Travel Planning Center
• Ticket Changes & Refunds
• Airline Partners
• Check-in & Security
• Delta Sky Club®
• Airport Maps & Locations
• Flight Deals
• Flight Schedules
• Destinations
• Onboard Experience
• Delta Cruises
• Delta Vacations
• Delta Car Rentals
• Delta Stays
• Onboard Wi-Fi
• Delta Trip Protection
• How to Earn Miles
• Ways to Redeem Miles
• Buy or Transfer Miles
• Travel with Miles
• SkyMiles Partners & Offers
• SkyMiles Award Deals
• SkyMiles Credit Cards
• SkyMiles Airline Partners
• SkyMiles Program Overview​
• How to Get Medallion Status​
• Benefits at Each Tier
• News & Updates
• Help Center
• Travel Planning FAQs
• Certificates & eCredits
• Accessible Travel Services
• Child & Infant Travel
• Special Circumstances
• SkyMiles Help

Baggage & Travel Fees

When you travel with us, we want to help you feel prepared and that includes understanding everything you need to know about your baggage — before, during and after your trip. We encourage you to explore below to learn more about what you can and cannot travel with, possible baggage and travel service fees and more.

In-page Links

• Common Baggage Fees , Go to footer note
• Calculate Baggage Estimate , Go to footer note
• Baggage Rules , Go to footer note
• Flight Partner Baggage , Go to footer note
• Travel Changes , Go to footer note
• Change and Cancel Fees , Go to footer note
• Travel Services , Go to footer note
• Direct Ticketing & Fees , Go to footer note

More : Track Checked Baggage | Special Items | Excess & Overweight Baggage | Prohibited or Restricted Items | Delayed, Lost or Damaged Bags | Embargoes & Limitations | First Checked Bag Free | 20-Minute Bag Guarantee

Common Baggage Fees

The baggage fees shown below are for Delta Comfort+® and Main Cabin customers traveling on domestic flights within the U.S., without a Delta SkyMiles® American Express Card , Medallion Status or Active Military exceptions:

For your first standard checked bag under 50 lbs. (23 kg), each way +1 Free Carry-On Bag and 1 Personal Item

For your second standard checked bag under 50 lbs. (23 kg), each way

• Baggage size must not exceed 62 inches (158 cm) when you total LENGTH + WIDTH + HEIGHT
• Visit Carry-On Baggage to find sizing and requirements for carry-on bags
• Customers may check in, select the number of bags they plan to check and pay for or redeem miles (domestically, at most airports) toward bags during the 24-hour check-in window on delta.com, in the Fly Delta app or at a kiosk upon arrival at the airport
• Delta SkyMiles Medallion Members and select Delta SkyMiles® American Express Card Members can check their first standard checked bag for free
• The checked baggage allowance each way price varies by route and fare class

Other Terms & Conditions:

• CAD or EUR base amounts will be charged when exiting Canada or Europe, respectively, and converted to local currency; for itineraries between Europe/India, fees will be converted from EUR into local currency.
• All passengers traveling to or from Key West, Florida are limited to one checked bag. This supersedes all exceptions.
• Boxes are accepted as checked baggage to/from Central or South America ONLY if they are in the original, factory-sealed box.
• Exception – Boxes are NOT permitted to/from Brazil, Mexico, and Chile at any time of the year.
• Regional Jet Service — No excess baggage (weight, size, or piece) will be accepted on Delta Connection® or other regional jet flights to/from cities in Mexico.
• Weight restrictions at no extra charge vary by cabin. Basic Economy, Main Cabin, Delta Comfort+  and Delta Premium Select passengers should follow the standard 50 lb limit per piece. Delta One, First, and Business passengers should follow the 70 lb limit per piece.
• First bag fee does not apply in the following markets if traveling to/from the United States and Canada: PTY, SAL. Not applicable to passengers with a Basic Economy ticket.
• Additionally, lower fees may apply depending on your date of purchase. See previous checked fees.
• SkyMiles members with flights originating from most domestic airports can pay for standard checked bags fees with miles instead of paying in cash during check-in on Delta.com, the Fly Delta app and at a kiosk at the airport. Excess and overweight baggage cannot be purchased with miles. Members traveling from qualifying airports will see standard checked bag fees displayed in cash or miles amounts when paying for their checked baggage. Member must have sufficient miles balance to cover all bags checked in the reservation. SkyMiles Program Rules apply.

Baggage Rules & Fee Exceptions

Find more information about baggage, restricted or prohibited items and exceptions for Active Military and Medallion Members. All baggage fees listed are current and applicable for all ticketing on or after today when Delta's baggage rules are determined to apply. If you ticketed at a much earlier date, please refer to Delta's previous checked baggage page for more details.

Excess & Overweight Baggage Know how many bags you're allowed to check on your flight, plus the cost to bring excess baggage depending on your destination.

Military Baggage You serve us, and we’re delighted to serve you. Please review the bags allowed for active duty United States military personnel.

Medallion Member & Delta SkyMiles AMEX Card Member Baggage We’re thankful for your loyalty. Review the complete policy for bags allowed for Medallion members and Delta SkyMiles American Express Card members.

Special Item Requirements See requirements for fragile items like musical instruments, sporting equipment, medical equipment or more.

Prohibited or Restricted Items For the safety of all passengers, review what items are banned items (flammables, aerosols); and restricted items (batteries).

Flight Partner Baggage

Travel changes, same-day travel changes.

Most fares for domestic travel on Delta are eligible for same-day flight changes. Some tickets don’t offer change eligibility, such as international travel and Basic Economy (E) fares.

Same-day Confirmed

If there is space available in the fare class you originally purchased, you may be able to select the Same-Day Change check-in option and pay a $75 Same-Day Change Fee to confirm a seat on a new flight. This fee does not apply to Delta Gold, Platinum and Diamond Medallion Members.

Same-day Standby

At the time of your change request, you may be able to select this option for a standby seat on a new flight for free. You won’t lose your seat on your original flight unless your standby seat clears.

Standard Flight Changes

For all tickets purchased on/after March 31, 2021 in order for you to keep the value of your ticket, be sure to cancel or make changes prior to departure. Based on the fare rules, you may have to pay a change fee and/or a difference in fare. Basic Economy tickets cannot be changed. However, you may cancel Basic Economy tickets and a cancellation charge will be deducted from the value of your ticket; remaining value will be issued as an eCredit .

How the Change Fee Works

• If you want to make a change, check your original ticket for specific fare rules regarding change fees
• Pay the price difference between your original ticket
• Pay the change fee according to your flight’s origin, if applicable
• Receive confirmation for your new flight

Award Ticket Changes

We continue to simplify travel by eliminating change fees and redeposit fees for Award Tickets and mileage upgrades for travel within the U.S. (including Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands), as well as international travel originating in the U.S. and Canada. Changes can be made any time prior to departure. Basic Economy Award Tickets cannot be changed in most cases. However, you may cancel your Basic Economy Award Travel for a cancellation fee of 9,900 miles for domestic travel (within the United States and Canada) and 19,900 miles for international travel. The fee will be deducted from the value of your ticket, and any remaining mileage will be redeposited into your SkyMiles account.

Redeposit of Miles for Award Tickets/Mileage Upgrades

In addition to eliminating change fees for tickets originating in the United States and Canada to anywhere in the world,* we have also eliminated the redeposit fee for Award Tickets and mileage upgrades originating in the United States or Canada. There are no change fees for travel within the U.S. (including Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands), international travel originating in the U.S. and Canada and travel between the Caribbean and the U.S.* You may redeposit miles any time prior to departure. A redeposit fee of $150 will still apply for Award Tickets and mileage upgrades for travel originating outside of the United States and Canada.

*Excluding Basic Economy tickets which are non-refundable and non-changeable in most cases. However, you may cancel your Basic Economy Award Travel for a cancellation fee of 9,900 miles for domestic travel (within the United States and Canada) and 19,900 miles for international travel. The fee will be deducted from the value of your ticket and any remaining mileage will be redeposited into your SkyMiles account.

Change and Cancel Fees

Review the change and cancel fees below that range from $0 to $400* based on your origin, destination and type of ticket. For Main Cabin and above travel originating from the 50 United States, Canada, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, the change fee is $0, but a fare difference will apply for ticket changes. If your new flight costs less than your current flight, you may be issued an eCredit for the difference (minus any applicable change fees). Remember that a fare difference will still apply for any ticket changes.

The Change and Cancel Waiver is still in effect for flights originating from Asia, Oceania and Israel so customers may continue to change or cancel their flight from these regions without incurring a fee.

*Unless expressly stated otherwise, all fee amounts are stated in US Dollars.

Travel Originating in the United States and Canada

Please review the change and cancel fees below based on your ticket type and destination, when departing from the United States (including the USVI and Puerto Rico) or Canada. 

Travel Originating in the Caribbean

Please review the change and cancel fees below based on your ticket type and destination, when departing from the Caribbean.

Travel Originating in Mexico

Please review the change and cancel fees below based on your ticket type and destination, when departing from Mexico.

Travel Originating in Central America

Please review the change and cancel fees below based on your ticket type and destination, when departing from Central America.

Travel Originating in South America

Please review the change and cancel fees below based on your ticket type and destination, when departing from South America.

Travel Originating in Europe

Please review the change and cancel fees below based on your ticket type and destination when departing from Europe.

*For Main Cabin through Delta Premium Select tickets issued prior to March 21, 2024, there are no change or cancel fees.

**For Basic Economy tickets issued prior to March 21, 2024, tickets can be changed or canceled for €200. For Basic Economy tickets issued on or before February 23, 2023, the change or cancel fee is €150.  

Travel Originating in the United Kingdom

Please review the change and cancel fees below based on your ticket type and destination when departing from the United Kingdom.

**For Basic Economy tickets issued prior to February 23, 2023, the change or cancel fee is £150. 

Travel Originating in Africa, the Middle East and India

Please review the change and cancel fees below based on your ticket type and destination when departing from Africa, the Middle East or India.

*For Main Cabin through Delta Premium Select tickets issued prior to March 21, 2024, there are no change or cancel fees. For Main Cabin through Delta Premium Select tickets originating from Israel, South Africa, Ghana, Nigeria and Senegal, there are no change or cancel fees.

**For Basic Economy tickets issued on or before March 21, 2024, the change or cancel fee is $200. For Basic Economy tickets issued on or before February 23, 2023, the change or cancel fee is $180. For Basic Economy tickets originating from Israel, South Africa, Ghana, Nigeria and Senegal, the change or cancel fee is $200.

Travel Originating in Asia & Pacific

Please review the change and cancel fees below based on your ticket type and destination when departing from Asia and the Pacific regions.

Travel Services

Unaccompanied minors.

The unaccompanied minor program provides an employee escort and amenities for children traveling alone between the ages of 5 to 14; or 15 to 17 with guardian request. For a $150 fee each way, up to 4 children will be supervised by Delta staff as they travel. Focused on safety, the program gives each child a barcoded wristband scanned at each location and children receive access to Delta Sky Zone lounges for unaccompanied minors, where available.

Infant in Arms

Traveling with a child under two years of age? It’s free to hold an infant in your arms or in an FAA-approved travel harness on flights in the U.S. & Canada. For international flights only, it is 10% of the cost of an adult fare.

We know the furry members of your family matter too. That’s why Delta allows small dogs, cats and household birds (limited to the U.S.) to travel with you in the cabin on your flight in an approved carrier for a fee. For our most up to date fees by region, please visit our Pet Travel Overview page. Size and other restrictions apply. Travel options and exceptions for service animals, U.S. Military personnel and other special cases are also available.

Direct Ticketing & Fee Updates

We offer a direct ticketing service for customers who wish to purchase their tickets over the phone through Reservation Sales or in person at airports and other ticket office locations. A Direct Ticketing international charge applies to tickets issued in Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxemburg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and the UK. The service is complimentary for all other points of origin.

$25 - $35 USD Round trip for tickets issued in select European countries

This fee will be waived for phone reservations on request.

FREE for all other points of origin.

Most domestic Delta airport locations are designated "cashless stations" and do not accept cash from customers.

Please see the list of included airports . Note that as of April 1, 2024, Delta will no longer accept cash in any U.S. airport locations.

• Investor Relations
• Business Travel
• Travel Agents
• Comment/Complaint
• Browser Compatibility
• Accessibility
• Booking Information
• Customer Commitment
• Tarmac Delay Plan
• Sustainability
• Contract of Carriage
• Cookies, Privacy & Security
• Human Trafficking Statement (PDF)

The browser you are using is not supported. Please see our supported browsers .

Our existing Basic fare has been replaced by our new UltraBasic fare. Guests who booked a Basic fare on or before June 3, 2024 will still be able to bring a carry-on bag.

By using the WestJet website, you agree to the website terms of use , the privacy statement , and the use of cookies .

Checked and excess baggage

From what to pack to how you can pack it, you'll find all you need to know about checked baggage right here. Looking for information on fees? Please see our  service fees page.

Assistive devices

One medically required wheelchair, per guest, will be carried at no extra charge.

The device must be transported in the cargo compartment.

Braces, crutches, walkers and canes, along with other assistive devices, will also be permitted free of charge.

Please see  assistive devices  for more information.

Checked baggage allowance

The dimensions of checked baggage must be within 157 total centimeters or 62 total inches and not weighing more than 23 kilograms or 50 pounds.

Any checked bag exceeding the size or weight allowance is subject to all applicable oversized weight and size restrictions and  fees . If you're travelling with overweight or oversized baggage, we recommend that you arrive 30 minutes prior to the recommended  check-in times  to allow time for screening.

Oversized and overweight baggage

Cremated remains

• All cremation containers will be X-rayed. Documentation from a funeral home does not provide exemption to the screening requirement.
• The Canadian Air Transport Security Authority recommends that cremated remains be transported in temporary containers (such as those made from plastic, cardboard or cloth) as these containers are more likely to scan clearly and pass security screening. Please note: screening officers are not permitted to open a cremation container, and will not inspect the contents if you open it yourself.
• Containers that do not pass security screening as carry-on baggage will not be accepted as checked baggage.
• For more information please visit  catsa.gc.ca

Equipment for infants and children

Lap-held infant Two pieces of child/infant equipment (infant restraint system, playpen or stroller) are permitted at no charge and can be checked at the gate as you board. No substitutions, e.g. a wagon or stroller wagon, are permitted.

Fare-paying child/infant One piece of child/infant equipment (approved restraint system (car seat), playpen or stroller) will be permitted at no charge in addition to the checked baggage allowance for the fare class booked. No substitutions, e.g. a wagon or stroller wagon, are permitted.

WestJet only allows infant and child restraint systems approved by Transport Canada or the Federal Aviation Administration to be used on board the aircraft. For details on non-acceptable and acceptable infant and child restraint systems, please see  approved restraint systems (car seats) .

Humanitarian aid

WestJet will review requests for one piece of checked baggage containing humanitarian aid (departing Canada) or return of one rescue animal (to Canada) per guest.

Request a fee waiver  for humanitarian baggage.

Labelling your baggage

In spite of our best efforts, baggage may sometimes be  delayed or go missing . Should this occur, one of the best ways to help ensure you and your belongings are reunited is to attach a tag with your name and contact information, clearly, to each bag.

It's also a good idea to place your contact information inside your baggage. You can place a business card or our  WestJet guest information form  in a visible spot.

Medical equipment and medication

We recommend that whenever your medical equipment fits within the carry-on baggage dimensions you take it as carry-on baggage. Medication should be packed in your personal item.  Although we do not charge a fee for medical equipment, most portable medical devices (PMEDs) must be approved for air travel as they contain batteries which are classified as dangerous goods. Please review the Medical equipment and medication page well in advance of when you intend to travel to be sure these items arrive safely.

Military baggage information

WestJet waives checked baggage fee(s)* for active or veteran Canadian military personnel.

Any military personnel travelling for business or personal reasons can do so with a maximum of four bags on WestJet flights and a maximum of three bags on WestJet Encore flights at no additional charge. We will not charge overweight and/or oversized baggage fee(s) fee(s) for military personnel; however, baggage exceeding our maximum permitted size or weight will not be accepted as guest baggage and must be shipped via cargo (all applicable fees apply).

Please be aware of the following military identification we accept, and what you must produce before you board your flight:

• A CFOne card with "CF" or "V"
• Certificate of Service (CF 54 or CF 75) from any branch of the Canadian military
• Discharge certificate from any branch of the Canadian military
• DND ID card for National Defense (NDI 20)
• Record of Service Card (NDI 75)
• Statement of Service from any branch of the Canadian military
• Valid DND temporary ID card (NDI 10)
• National Association of Federal Retirees with “Canadian Armed Forces Veteran” stated on the card.

WestJet also waives the baggage fees* for active military personnel from other countries who show valid military identification.

* Note: To have your baggage fee(s) waived, WestJet must be the marketing and operating carrier on the entire journey.

This exemption does not extend to:

• Current Department of National Defence (DND) public servants and their families
• Serving and former Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and their families
• Other members of first-response agencies, peace officers, etc.
• Current staff of Defence Research and Development Canada (DRDC) and their families
• Current staff of Defence Construction Canada (DCC) and their families
• Current staff of Communications Securities Establishment (CSE) and their families
• Honourary Colonels/Captains(N), Lieutenant Colonels/Commanders and their families
• Former Staff of the Non-Public Funds, Canadian Forces with a pension and their families
• Former Staff of Department of National Defence (DND) with a pension and their families
• Family members of the Staff of the Non-Public Funds (NPF), Canadian Forces (CF)
• Family members of the Military Family Resource Centre (MFRC)

Packing checklist

Travelling with or transferring baggage to our airline partners.

If you are travelling with one of our airline partners, the baggage policies of the other carrier may apply. Please be sure to familiarize yourself with the fees for your journey by visiting our  airline partners  page. Fees are collected on a one-way basis by the airline operating the first flight for each direction of your journey.

Helpful links

• WestJet Cargo
• RBC® World Elite Mastercard
• WestJet Fares
• Our airline partners
• What can I bring?
• Baggage FAQs
• Carry-on baggage
• Fishing and hunting equipment
• Lost and Found
• Delayed, lost or damaged baggage
• Musical instruments
• Special items
• Sporting equipment

1 The fee and the amount charged will be based on the fare level purchased, where you are travelling to and from, and on the marketing carrier (the airline selling the seat).  WestJet service fees

2 Third and fourth checked pieces are accepted on a space-available basisc to/from all destinations excluding Jamaica, Varadero or Trinidad and Tobago.

3 For baggage over this weight, please contact WestJet Cargo at 1-866-952-2746 (1-866-WJCARGO).