Every airline in the world has luggage size restrictions, whether they are checked or carry-on. This applies both to domestic and international flights, so it is important to check the policy of your own company. Because there is no universal size or weight, what is allowed by one airline might be rejected by another.
Although you are excited about your future trip, we recommend you take some time to research the airline’s specifications. This way, you won’t experience any stress on your journey and can be more relaxed on the way to your destination.
In this article, we will present you with some charts that show the checked & carry-on luggage sizes for different airlines. We also included the largest dimensions possible in these charts and recommended some products for you.
What are standard luggage sizes?
While companies might have different requirements for luggage sizes, there are some average ones that you can guide yourself by. The purpose of your trip determines the baggage you will carry. A full voyage on an exotic island might require you to carry more stuff than a short city break over the weekend.
If you travel internationally, the limit for your carry-on bag can vary. An average size to guide by is 21 x 14 x 8 inches because these measurements will be in order with many airlines. Remember also to consider the weight of your baggage. Most companies will also have a limit on how heavy your carry-on baggage can be.
The average carry-on baggage size for domestic traveling within the US is 22 x 14 x 9 inches. This limit is slightly bigger, and you can use this to your advantage. This is because many business travelers frequently fly with national airlines and usually don’t have checked baggage.
Traveling with carry-on baggage gives you more flexibility and freedom to move around. You can also take it into the cabin, and you won’t have to wait at the baggage claim carousel after you land. Valuables can be stored in a small bag which you can always carry with you.
How big can a carry-on be?
The size of your carry-on luggage will differ from airline to airline. For example, Southwest is well-known for having a larger limit for checked baggage. However, the standards for carry-on ones are similar to other companies.
Carry-on baggage should not be larger than 24 inches long, 16 inches wide, and 10 inches high when traveling with Southwest Airlines. Any personal items are also limited to 18.5 inches long, 8.5 inches wide, and 13.5 inches high.
Another popular domestic carrier is United Airlines, which many frequent flyers prefer. They allow you to bring one carry-on baggage and one personal item.
This baggage can have handles or wheels. The maximum dimensions are 22 inches long, 14 inches wide, and 9 inches high. For the personal items, size is limited to 17 inches long, 10 inches wide, and 9 inches high.
Carry-on size chart
Make sure you get the right option that can fit your bras and other clothing you’re bringing!
Luggage size chart for max dimensions for checked suitcases
Medium size luggage
If you are looking for the best medium-sized language, we got 3 options that will be perfect for you. Check out the best luggage for value, the most luxurious one, and the best option for small budgets below!
Best value option – Samsonite S’cure DLX Spinner
This product made by Samsonite is highly durable and offers good value for the price tag it holds. A special waterproof seal is applied to keep the rain out, so you can carry this baggage even during stormy weather.
The triple locking system will ensure safety for your belongings. Thieves will reconsider their evil intentions when they see the sophisticated security measure. There are more pockets and dividers here than you can find in any suitcase. It makes it easy to sort your stuff and stay organized.
Weighing 11 pounds, this piece cannot be considered lightweight by most. This increased weight results from the high-quality materials and aluminum wheels and handles tubes. This luggage will last you for years, and you won’t have to worry about things breaking down.
Key features include:
- Dimensions: 28.5 x 18 x 11.5 inches
- Weight: 11 pounds
- Colors: black, blue
Best luxury option – Travelpro Maxlite 5 Expandable Spinner
This lightweight baggage is a favorite among airline personnel. It is lightweight and sturdy and will last you a long time. It is well known that Travelpro manufactures the best fabric suitcases out there. They use high-quality materials for their production.
The Maxlite 5 product has been designed with frequent travelers in mind. That is why you will benefit from the efficiency, luxury, and unique designs. A special polyester is coated on this baggage’s exterior, providing high resistance to stain and water.
There are 4 wheels that can spin 360 degrees for your convenience. With handles situated all around the frame, this luggage is extremely easy to carry around airports.
On the inside, you will find lots of space available for your belongings. You can even organize them into separate compartments and pockets. If necessary, you can expand the size up to 2 inches if you need the extra space for more items.
Key features include:
- Dimensions: 11.5 x 18.5 x 27 inches
- Weight: 7.3 pounds
- Colors: black, blue, burgundy, and 8 more
Best cheap option – Amazon Basics 26-Inch Hardside Spinner, Black
With this budget option, you can save money and spend it at your destination instead. This suitcase offers plenty of similar features that you can find in other products that sell for twice the price.
The main feature of this product from Amazon Basics is the expandable design that will provide you with an extra 15% more storage space. That’s why this choice is the perfect one for long travels. Usually, longer trips tend to cost more. It is wise to spend your money on things that matter more, such as getting souvenirs for your loved ones back home.
A handy divider will keep everything neat in the interior, which is also fully lined. Extra pockets are available, which can be accessed by using zips. You can store small items here or even travel documents.
On the outside, the durable and scratch-resistant surface looks as good as other models on the market. Due to its high durability, you won’t have to worry about carefully handling your baggage.
Key features include:
- Dimensions: 18.31 x 11.42 x 26.77 inches
- Weight: 9.63 pounds
- Colors: black, navy blue, blue, orange
Carry-on weight limit
The weight limit for carry-on baggage depends on particular airlines, as each of them has its own requirements. For example, Frontier will charge an amount of money for both checked and carry-on bags.
This price will depend on the route and the destination. However, it is also influenced by whether you buy the tickets online or offline. For this particular airline, the carry-on bags must not exceed 35 pounds in weight.
For other companies, there are no weight limits for carry-on luggage. One of them is JetBlue, where you won’t have to worry about your bag being too heavy to pass security.
Those who fly with Delta will be allowed to take with them one carry-on bag and one personal item. However, their weight is only limited by the destination.
A flight to Singapore will limit you to 15.4 pounds, while a flight to Beijing or Shanghai will let you carry more, up to 22 pounds.
International carry-on size
When traveling internationally, remember that most luggage size standards are based on weight. Usually, 50 pounds will be the standard limit. It’s while the largest checked size can be 62 linear inches.
Most of the time, the standard checked baggage has to be within the limit of 27 x 21 x 14 inches. Most airliners will have size limits around these average dimensions. Consider that some airlines will use total dimensions instead of linear ones.
You should also use a calculator to convert the units of measurement once you leave the US. Be advised that the metric system is used in many countries, and you will have to convert them manually to your convenience.
Outside of the US, the standard carry-on baggage will be about 21 inches. However, you should always check with the specific requirements of the airline you are flying with. Most of the time, they have this information readily available on their website.
62-inch luggage – Samsonite Omni Pc Hardside Expandable with Spinner Wheels
The Omni Pc features scratch-resistant textures that will ensure high durability in the years to come. Samsonite listened to their customers’ requests and developed this high-quality product made of 100% polycarbonate.
Despite its big size, this is lightweight luggage that offers heavyweight protection. The spinner wheels rotate 360 degrees, making it easier to maneuver through the airport. TSA locks will keep your belongings safe with superior protection standards.
Because it is extremely lightweight and visually beautiful, this product is the best option for you if you want to bring lots of items on your trip. A push button will lock the handles and provide easy maneuverability when you extend them from the suitcase. They can also be stored inside when you are not using them.
Key features include:
- Dimensions: 30.5 x 21.5 x 13.5 inches
- Weight: 10.35 pounds
- Colors: white
How many carry-on bags are allowed?
Because of TSA regulations, you can only bring one carry-on item plus one small personal item. This personal item can include purses or briefcases. But if you bring two bags, one fits underneath your seat while the other can go into overhead compartments.
If you fly business or first class on some airlines, they will allow you to bring multiple carry-on pieces of baggage. Be advised that TSA also require that every passenger should use a lock to secure their luggage. That is why every bag is screened before placing it on the plane.
If something is not right with the lock, TSA can conduct a further inspection of your baggage at their discretion. If your baggage cannot be opened, they have the right to destroy it to gain access. That is why you need to make sure you get luggage with TSA-approved locks or bags with zippers.
FAQ
Yes, 28-inch luggage is considered oversized among the 30, 31, and 32-inch ones. That is because they are all over the 62-inch limit.
A carry-on bag could be a laptop bag, a briefcase, or a backpack. You can bring anything you want if it meets the size and weight limit. Some airlines might restrict personal items while others decide not to include any specifics for them.
We can recommend the average measure if you are unsure about the perfect size. This is 22 x 9 x 14 inches, and it is small enough for an item to fit in the overhead compartments of most airlines.
A backpack will be considered a personal item only if it fits under the seat which is in front of you. But to be sure, check with the specifics of your airline as they will mention which items are personal or carry-on.
These bags should never exceed 35 pounds, but the limit will depend on the personal preference of each airline. They might charge extra fees at the airport if you go over this limit. That is why you should switch to a checked bag if you know you will travel heavily.
For domestic airlines, checked baggage will have a standard weight limit of 50 pounds. Some budget carriers will further limit this weight to 40 pounds. Other international carriers will give you up to 70 pounds available.
The luggage weight limit depends on the airline. For example, American Airlines will charge you $25 for a checked bag. If the weight exceeds the 50 pounds limit, you will be charged 4 times more.
If your suitcase is too heavy, you don’t have to worry about abandoning your luggage before departure. Usually, you will have to pay an excess tax for this inconvenience. However, there are restrictions on overweight luggage limits as well.
