Carry-on Luggage Dimensions for Planes: Current Chart

Packing for a trip should be a joyful anticipation of adventure, not stress over unclear rules. Yet, many travelers grapple with the question: How big can carry-on luggage be? The truth is, there's no single universal answer. Each airline sets its own rules and often changes them. That's why we've prepared this large and regularly updated overview to clarify the permitted dimensions of carry-on luggage for planes once and for all. With it, you'll avoid expensive fees at the airport and choose the right suitcase or backpack.

Contents:

• Carry-on vs. Personal Item
• Current Dimensions and Weight
• Table of Limits for the Most Popular Airlines
• How to Choose the Best Cabin Luggage?
• Practical Tips and Frequently Asked Questions
• Summary and Recommendations

Carry-on Luggage vs. Personal Item: What's the Difference?

Before we dive into the table with specific numbers, it is absolutely crucial to understand the difference between the two basic types of luggage you can take on board.

• Carry-on Luggage (Cabin Bag): This is the larger of the two bags. Typically, it is a small wheeled suitcase or a travel bag. Its place is in the overhead compartment. With traditional airlines, it is often included in the ticket price, but with companies like Ryanair or Wizz Air, you have to pay extra for it (e.g., with the Priority service). The maximum dimensions of this luggage are strictly controlled.
• Personal Item: This is a travel backpack, a handbag, or a laptop bag. Its main characteristic is that it must fit under the seat in front of you on the plane. This small bag or backpack is almost always included in the price of even the cheapest ticket. Be aware, if your ticket only allows a personal item, you cannot take a backpack and a handbag. You must fit into one piece.

Understanding this difference will save you a lot of trouble. If your ticket only includes a "personal item," don't expect to take a small cabin suitcase on board.

Current Carry-on Luggage Dimensions and Weight

Now we get to the heart of the matter. The following table will provide you with a detailed overview of the limits for the most popular airlines. All data is verified as of the article's publication date and applies to the cheapest economy class. Remember that rules may differ for business class or for loyalty card holders.

Before every flight, to be safe, check the final dimensions and weight of your cabin luggage directly on the airline's website!

Carry-on Luggage Table (sorted alphabetically)

How to Choose the Best Cabin Luggage That Meets All Limits?

Choosing the right cabin luggage is an investment that will pay off in saved money and nerves. So how do you do it?

• Focus on the most common dimensions.
  Look for cabin luggage with dimensions around 55 x 40 x 20 cm.
• Don't forget the personal item.
  For "light" flights, a quality travel backpack that meets the limits for a personal carry-on item, for example, 40 x 20 x 25 cm, or 40 x 30 x 20 cm, is ideal. Even such a backpack can hold a surprising amount of stuff.
• Weight is important.
  Pay attention not only to the size of the carry-on luggage but also to its own weight. Ultralight suitcases and backpacks will allow you to pack more things without exceeding the weight limit.
• Softshell or hardshell suitcase?
  Softshell suitcases are often lighter and have external pockets. Hardshell suitcases, on the other hand, better protect fragile contents.
  Tip: We discuss travel suitcase materials in a separate article in our guide!

Practical Tips and Frequently Asked Questions

1. What about carrying liquids in carry-on luggage?

   Fortunately, this rule is one of the few that applies almost universally.

   • Maximum volume: Each individual bottle with liquid (shampoo, perfume, cream) can have a maximum volume of 100 ml.
   • Total number: You must place all these bottles in a single transparent, resealable bag.
   • Total volume: The contents of the bag must not exceed 1 liter of liquid.
   • Number of bags: Each passenger is allowed only one such bag.
   • Medications and baby food are exceptions, but be prepared to prove their necessity.

   Tip: You can find travel bottles, scales, as well as travel pillows, organizers, and earplugs in our travel accessories category!

2. Can I take a stroller on board?

   Yes, transporting a stroller is possible with most airlines and is usually free of charge. You can usually take it to the gate, where the staff will take it and store it in the cargo hold. Upon arrival, it will be returned to you at the plane or on the oversized baggage carousel. But always check the conditions with your airline to be sure.

3. Checked luggage – when is it worth it?

   If you find that you can't fit into the carry-on luggage limits, it's time for checked luggage. This is the large suitcase you check in at the check-in counter. It's worth investing in checked luggage if you're traveling for a longer period, carrying bulky equipment (skis, golf clubs), or simply don't want to deal with strict size and weight limits. Remember that you almost always have to pay for checked luggage, and it's significantly cheaper to purchase it online in advance than at the airport.

   Tip: A medium M-sized suitcase or a large L-sized suitcase will serve you well as larger luggage. If you'd like a whole set of suitcases in a uniform design, you'll surely find one in our offer!

4. What are the alternatives to cabin suitcases?

   Although suitcases are a great choice for organized packing and protecting fragile items, travel bags and especially travel backpacks are an excellent and increasingly popular alternative. Their main advantage is unbeatable flexibility. The soft material adapts better to the contents, and you can often squeeze it into the strict measuring frame at the gate, which can be crucial with low-cost airlines. Moreover, travel backpacks leave your hands free, which you'll appreciate when navigating the airport or the city, and modern models offer smart internal organization, including a padded laptop pocket. Travel bags, on the other hand, score with their simplicity, low weight, and a large main compartment that can easily accommodate even bulkier items. For the modern traveler looking for maximum comfort, efficiency, and the certainty of meeting the limits of even the strictest airlines, a quality travel backpack or bag is often the smartest choice.

   Tip: Find out even more about cabin luggage, what you can carry in it, what the maximum sizes and weights are, and what the differences are among various airlines.

Summary and Our Recommendations

Traveling by plane doesn't have to be complicated. Just remember three simple steps:

1. Find out if your ticket includes only a personal item (under the seat) or also a carry-on bag (in the overhead compartment).
2. Check the exact dimensions and weight in our table or directly on the airline's website.
3. Measure and weigh your suitcase or backpack at home before you head to the airport.

We hope our large overview has helped you navigate the rules. And if you're just finding out that your old luggage doesn't comply, take a look at our wide selection of carry-on luggage. You'll find dozens of models of suitcases and backpacks that perfectly match the limits of all major airlines.

Happy travels!