Airline Carry-on Luggage Size Restrictions

Whether you are flying abroad or domestically, you cannot exceed a certain size restriction for your carry-on luggage. Before you print your boarding pass, it’s necessary to learn the size restrictions – to avoid being forced to gate check when your carry-on luggage didn’t fit snugly in the dreaded measurement box. Although travel rules vary depending on the airline you choose, most airlines have their own restrictions on the size of carry-on luggage.

To get started, let's begin with these frequently asked questions.

What are the size restrictions of carry-on luggage?

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 in one, undamaged piece.

To be sure your luggage is accepted on all carriers, you’d better get a gear that stands at 21’’ or less. This size limit ensures your bag will be able to be stored safely in the overhead bin for your flight.

What is the weight limit for carry-on luggage?

For most US domestic airlines like Delta, Southwest, JetBlue, there are no weight restrictions for carry-on bags. You only 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 weight limit on their websites, they probably won't weigh your carry-on bags.

While most US domestic airlines do not have weight limits, the rest of the world does. Cabin luggage usually has a weight restriction from 5 kg to 12 kg, with most airlines in Asia and Australia limiting it to 7 kg.

What is a personal item?

In addition to your carry-on suitcase, many airlines also allow a personal item.

A personal item must fit under the seat in front of you. Small handbags and backpacks or laptop backpacks usually make the cut. Some airlines allow diaper bags, cameras, and duty-free merchandise – or items purchased within the airport–in addition to a carry-on and personal item.

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 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, we recommend you contact the airline in advance to confirm this.

While many things are allowed in your carry-on and personal item, most countries restrict the size of containers for liquids, gels, aerosols and pastes – even in partially empty containers during security. Pack ahead of time and place larger liquid items in your checked luggage.

Limit liquids, gels, aerosols and pastes items to a maximum of 3.4 ounces or 100 milliliters
Place all items in one single quart-size, zip-top bag of clear plastic
At security, remove your quart-size bag and place it in a bin

We have found detailed carry-on luggage size restrictions of different airlines. Let’s take a look at the size restrictions on the airline of your origin and destination.

List of airline carry-on luggage size and weight allowances

North America

US airlines have the most generous carry-on size allowances, often with no weight limit.

There is no TSA carry on size—the luggage allowances are set by each airline.

Aeromexico: 21.5 x 15.7 x 10 inches (55 x 40 x 25 cm), 22 lb (10 kg).

Air Canada: 21.5 x 15.5 x 9 inches (55 x 40 x 23 cm), no weight limit.

Alaska Airlines: 22 x 14 x 9 inches (56 x 36 x 23 cm), no weight limit.

American Airlines: 22 x 14 x 9 inches (56 x 36 x 23 cm), no weight limit.

Delta: 22 x 14 x 9 inches (56 x 36 x 23 cm), no weight limit.

JetBlue Airways: 22 x 14 x 9 inches (56 x 36 x 23 cm), no weight limit.

Southwest Airlines: 24 x 16 x 10 inches (61 x 41 x 25 cm), no weight limit.

Spirit Airlines: 18 x 14 x 8 inches (45 x 35 x 20 cm). You can also pay to take a larger carry-on of 22 x 18 x 10 inches (56 x 46 x 25 cm). No weight limit.

United: 22 x 14 x 9 inches (56 x 36 x 23 cm), no weight limit. If you travel on a Basic Economy ticket domestically, you can only take a personal item or pay $25 for a large carry-on.

Volaris: One personal item of 14 x 8 x 8 inches (36 x 20 x 20 cm) is allowed, and you can pay for a larger carry-on of 22 x 16 x 10 inches (56 x 41 x 25 cm).

Europe

European airlines tend to be stricter than US airlines, especially about luggage weight and personal items (which are sometimes not allowed). Avoid getting your bag weighed if possible (see the tips above).

Aeroflot: 55 x 40 x 25 cm (22 x 16 x 10 inches), 10 kg (22 lb).

Air Berlin: 55 x 40 x 20 cm (22 x 16 x 8 inches), 8 kg (18 lb). Personal item can be a laptop or handbag up to 2 kg (4.4 lb).

Air France: 55 x 35 x 25 cm (22 x 14 x 10 inches), 12 kg (26 lb).

Alitalia: 55 x 35 x 25 cm (22 x 14 x 10 inches), 8 kg (18 lb).

British Airways: 56 x 45 x 25 cm (22 x 18 x 10 inches), 23 kg (51 lb).

EasyJet: 56 x 45 x 25 cm (22 x 18 x 10 inches), no weight limit. No personal item unless you’re an easyJet Plus cardholder, Flexi fare, Upfront, or Extra Legroom customer.

Jet2: 56 x 45 x 25 cm (22 x 18 x 10 inches), 10 kg (22 lb).

KLM: 55 x 35 x 25 cm (22 x 14 x 10 inches), 12 kg (26 lb).

Lufthansa: 55 x 40 x 23 cm (22 x 16 x 9 inches), 8 kg (18 lb).

Norwegian: 55 x 40 x 23 cm (22 x 16 x 9 inches), 10 kg (22 lb).

Ryanair: Only small bags of 40 x 20 x 25 cm are allowed for free. You must pay extra to take a large bag of 55 x 40 x 20 cm (22 x 16 x 8 inches) weighing up to 10 kg (22 lb), which includes priority boarding.

Scandinavian Airlines: 55 x 40 x 23 cm (22 x 16 x 9 inches), 8 kg (18 lb).

Turkish Airlines: Usually 55 x 40 x 23 cm (22 x 16 x 9 inches), 8 kg (18 lb). In 2020, only personal items are allowed.

Virgin Atlantic: 56 x 36 x 23 cm (22 x 14 x 9 inches), 10 kg (22 lb).

Asia

The weight restrictions on airlines in Asia are even stricter than in Europe.

Air Asia: 56 x 36 x 23 cm (22 x 14 x 9 inches), 7 kg (15 lb).

Air China: 55 x 40 x 20 cm (22 x 16 x 8 inches), 5 kg (11 lb). No personal item.

Air India: 55 x 40 x 20 cm (22 x 16 x 8 inches), 8 kg (18 lb).

Cathay Pacific: 56 x 36 x 23 cm (22 x 14 x 9 inches), 7 kg (15 lb).

Emirates: 55 x 38 x 20 cm (22 x 15 x 8 inches), 7 kg (15 lb). No personal item.

Japan Airlines: 55 x 40 x 25 cm (22 x 16 x 10 inches), 10 kg (22 lb).

Lion Air: 40 x 30 x 20 cm (16 x 12 x 8 inches), 7 kg (15 lb). No personal item except a small purse or camera.

Qatar Airways: 50 x 37 x 25 cm (20 x 15 x 10 inches), 7 kg (15 lb). No personal item except a small purse, briefcase, or camera.

Singapore Airlines: 56 x 36 x 23 cm (22 x 14 x 9 inches), 7 kg (15 lb).

Thai Airways: 56 x 45 x 25 cm (22 x 18 x 10 inches), 7 kg (15 lb).

Tigerair (Asia): 54 x 38 x 23 cm (21 x 15 x 9 inches), 10 kg (22 lb) including personal item.

Oceania

As in Asia, weight limits are low.

Air New Zealand: Not exceeding total linear dimensions (length + width + height) of 118 cm (46.5 inches), 7 kg (15 lb).

Jetstar: 56 x 36 x 23 cm (22 x 14 x 9 inches), 7 kg (15 lb). They regularly weigh hand luggage at the gate and charge high fees to check in overweight bags. You can pay extra for a 14kg (30 lb) allowance.

Qantas: 56 x 36 x 23 cm (22 x 14 x 9 inches), 7 kg (15 lb).

Tigerair (Australia): 54 x 38 x 23 cm (21 x 15 x 9 inches), 7 kg (15 lb). No personal item except a small purse, tablet, or coat (included in weight allowance). You can pay for Cabin+ to increase the weight limit to 12 kg.

Virgin Australia (Domestic and short haul): Two small bags 48 x 34 x 23 cm (19 x 13 x 9 inches), combined weight 7 kg (15 lb).

Virgin Australia (International long haul): 56 x 36 x 23 cm (22 x 14 x 9 inches), 7 kg (15 lb).

Note that because of coronavirus, a few airlines (such as Turkish Airlines) have stopped allowing large carry-on luggage since 2020 and only small bags that fit under the seat are allowed.

Carry-on luggage backpack recommendation

In order to pass the security check smoothly, it is essential to have an carry-on luggage backpack within the airline restricted size and can store your items organized – the Nayo Almighty Functional Backpack satisfies the needs of most airlines very well.