Michael Turner
Measure with straps and wheels attached. Airlines enforcing unbundled fares check external size at the gate; soft-sided daypacks that compress to the listed dimensions usually pass, rigid knapsacks or packs with oversized frames do not. Include pockets, handles and retractable parts in your measurement.
Typical fee pattern: prepay online for a cabin bag ranges roughly $30–$65 depending on route and timing; at the airport the same item often costs $60–$100 at the gate. Buying the allowance during booking or online before arrival almost always saves money compared with gate purchases.
Packing recommendations: prioritize a slim laptop sleeve, one small toiletry kit within the 3-1-1 liquid rules, and place heavy items in checked luggage if possible. If your small daypack barely exceeds the limit, wear it onboard (shoulder-worn items are sometimes permitted as the single personal item) or switch to a compact under-seat roller; always test fit under a typical economy seat before leaving home.
Yes – use a small daypack as your free personal item if it fits 18 x 14 x 8 inches (45 x 35 x 20 cm); anything larger requires payment for an overhead-bin item or must be checked.
Measure the external dimensions with all pockets and straps compressed. Electronic devices should be placed in the slim section to ensure the pack stows fully beneath the seat; if straps or protruding items prevent a full tuck, expect to pay for an overhead-bin allowance at check-in or the gate.
Policy at-a-glance
| Item type | Max external dimensions | Typical fee if oversized (one-way, approximate) |
|---|---|---|
| Free personal item (under-seat) | 18 x 14 x 8 in (45 x 35 x 20 cm) | $0 if compliant |
| Overhead-bin bag | ~22 x 18 x 10 in (varies) | $30–$80 (web), $60–$100 (gate) |
| Checked luggage | Up to 62 linear inches; weight limits apply (~40 lb / 18 kg standard) | $30–$65 (advance); overweight/oversize extra |
Packing and product recommendations
Always measure a loaded daypack across width, height and depth; test it under a standard airplane seat or a low bench. If your daytime sack edges exceed the free-item limit, swap to a slim tote or messenger – see best messenger bag for across body for compact options that fit under-seat spaces.
Choose a rucksack with external compression straps and a padded laptop sleeve; fill the sleeve first and compress clothing around it so electronics remain flat and the pack’s profile stays within 18 x 14 x 8 in. Wear the bulkiest layer onboard to avoid exceeding dimensions.
If uncertain at departure, pre-purchase the overhead-bin allowance online (cheaper than gate fees) or downsize to a compliant personal item to avoid unexpected charges.
Pack size and weight rules: personal item vs overhead bag on the carrier
Recommendation: Bring a personal-sized daypack no larger than 18 x 14 x 8 in (45 x 35 x 20 cm) to fit under the seat for free; purchase the overhead bin allowance if you need a standard cabin bag up to 22 x 18 x 10 in (56 x 45 x 25 cm) – buy that option during booking or online for the lowest fee, gate purchases are the most expensive.
Size specifics: Personal item limit – 18 x 14 x 8 in (45 x 35 x 20 cm). Standard cabin bag limit – 22 x 18 x 10 in (56 x 45 x 25 cm). Dimensions include wheels, handles and external pockets; measure the entire exterior before arrival.
Weight policy: The carrier publishes no formal weight cap for under-seat or overhead pieces, but checked luggage rules are explicit: maximum 40 lb (18 kg) per checked bag for standard fares; overweight surcharge applies for 41–50 lb (19–23 kg); items over 50 lb (23 kg) are not accepted. Gate staff may refuse or require additional fees for hand items that cannot be stowed or lifted easily – keep hand pieces light.
Practical limits and packing tips: Aim to keep personal and cabin pieces under ~20–25 lb (9–11 kg) to avoid gate issues. Use a soft-sided daypack or compressible duffel to maximize usable space while meeting dimensions. Always weigh luggage with a portable scale before heading to the airport. Store valuables, documents and medication in the under-seat item; bulky or heavy garments belong in checked luggage paid for in advance.
Fees and purchase timing: Overhead bin placement requires selecting the cabin-bag option and paying the applicable fee – prices rise the closer to departure and are highest at the gate. Confirm fees and purchase the allowance via the airline’s website or app to minimize cost and reduce the risk of gate refusal.
How to measure your pack to meet the airline’s allowed dimensions
Measure the item fully packed, with zippers closed, straps secured and wheels/handles in the position you’ll use when boarding; compare to these limits: personal item 18×14×8 in (45.7×35.6×20.3 cm) or overhead bag 22×18×10 in (55.9×45.7×25.4 cm).
- Tools: rigid tape measure (inches and cm), flat floor, a book or straightedge, masking tape or cardboard to make a mock-size box.
- Height: place the pack upright on the floor on its base. Measure from the bottom-most point (include wheel radius) to the top-most point (include any fixed loops or non-retractable handles). For curved tops, press a book across the highest points to get a straight-line measurement.
- Width: measure side-to-side at the widest point, including external pockets and side straps when they are in their normal stowed/fastened state.
- Depth: measure front-to-back at the fullest point, including front pockets and compression straps tightened as you would normally set them before boarding.
- Wheels and handles: include wheel housings in the base measurement. Telescoping handles should be retracted; if a handle or strap cannot fully tuck away, include the protrusion in the corresponding dimension.
- Soft vs rigid items: for soft designs, measure while packed to typical contents and compress with the straps; for hard-shell items, measure along straight external edges.
- External attachments: any items that stay attached during boarding (carabiners, tripods, water bottles in side pockets) must be included if they alter external size; remove anything removable and measure the item in the boarding configuration you intend to use.
- Make a cardboard or taped box the exact allowed dimensions and test-fit the packed item. If it won’t fit flat, reduce contents or swap to a smaller model.
- Convert measurements precisely: multiply inches by 2.54 for centimetres; round up to the nearest 0.5 cm to avoid being under-sized at the gate.
- If within 0–2 cm of the limit, test with the cardboard box again and consider repacking or using a compression layer to shave millimetres–airlines often enforce strict tolerances.
- At the airport, use a sizer at the ticket counter or gate before boarding; if the item fails the sizer, expect a fee or requirement to check it.
Quick reference conversions: 18×14×8 in = 45.7×35.6×20.3 cm; 22×18×10 in = 55.9×45.7×25.4 cm. Measure packed, include wheels/handles as described, and verify with a physical mock-up for a reliable fit.
Packing tips to fit a full day’s gear into the airline’s personal item allowance
Wear your bulkiest garments and boots on board: that alone typically frees the equivalent of a small cube inside the personal item.
Use three purpose-sized compression cubes: one ~10 L for two layers and underwear, one ~5 L for socks and a compact towel, one ~3 L for chargers, a small power bank and spare battery. Place the densest cube along the seat-facing side to keep the load slim.
Roll technical fabrics tightly and stack rolls vertically; rolling commonly reduces bulk by 15–25% versus flat folding. Reserve planar folding for a single dress/top to avoid creases.
Limit toiletries to travel sizes: 3.4 oz (100 ml) maximum per container, all containers together in one quart-sized clear bag. Replace glass bottles with soft silicone travel tubes and a 25–30 g solid soap bar to save weight and space.
Choose multi-use items: a lightweight merino/synthetic top that functions as base layer and casual shirt, a packable jacket that compresses into its own pocket, and a microfibre towel that doubles as a mat. Swap bulky alternatives for thin, technical versions.
Place electronics and fragile items at the top in a slim sleeve for quick removal at security and to prevent crushing. Stow small items inside shoes or a foldable pouch to use dead space.
Final-fit check
Squash the packed personal item into an under-seat simulator or the airline’s sizer before leaving home; if it bulges, remove one noncritical item (extra shirt, bulky snack, or duplicate cable).
Packing priority
Non-negotiables: ID, wallet, phone, chargers, any required medications – keep these in an external pocket for access.
Optional: second shirt, compact snack, reusable water bottle empty at security. Drop one optional item if the bag barely fits the sizer.
When to pay for a cabin bag on the carrier: fares, add-ons, and prepay savings
Purchase the standard cabin-bag option at booking or add it online at least 24 hours before departure to secure the lowest rate; airport and gate purchases typically cost two to three times more.
Typical fee ranges for U.S. domestic itineraries: prepay during booking $30–$60, add during online check-in $35–80, buy at airport kiosk $60–100, and pay at the gate $100+. International and seasonal routes can run higher; exact tariffs are shown on the booking page before payment.
Choose a bundled fare that explicitly lists a standard cabin item when the combined price of the bundle is lower than buying the bag plus separate extras (seat selection, checked luggage). Compare the itemized add-on price against the bundle total in the booking summary to decide which saves money for your travel profile.
Where to add: 1) Add during initial purchase for the single cheapest fee. 2) If missed, use Manage Booking on the carrier website or app; fees there are slightly higher but still below airport levels. 3) Add during online check-in (usually opens 24 hours before departure) for near-prepay rates. 4) Expect the highest charges at kiosks and the gate, and possible denial of boarding with the smaller free item if dimensions exceed allowance.
Payment rules and tips: fees are generally non-refundable unless the airline policy states otherwise; changes to itinerary can alter price. If you frequently travel with a larger cabin item, compare annual cost of bundled fares versus pay-per-flight add-ons. Travelers with elite status or certain fare classes may receive a standard cabin item included–verify during booking.
For liquid containment and space-saving packing, use quart-size freezer bags; check product safety details here: are sainsburys freezer bags bpa free.
At the gate: what to expect if staff tags or gate-checks your pack
Remove valuables, prescription meds, travel documents, phones, laptops, and external battery packs from the rucksack before handing it over.
Before handing it to gate staff
- Photograph the bag and its contents (open and closed) and photograph the boarding pass; keep photos on your phone.
- Label interior and exterior with name and phone number; place a duplicate paper ID inside a zippered pocket.
- Take out lithium batteries and power banks – airlines require these in the cabin, not in stowed luggage.
- Remove prescription medication, fragile items, valuables, important documents, and small electronics; keep them on your person.
- Secure loose straps, collapse protruding handles, and empty exterior water bottles to avoid snagging or pressure damage.
- If the pack has a padlock, unlock it: ground crews may need to inspect and will cut noncompliant locks.
What the gate-tagging process looks like
- Agent will attach a gate-check tag with a barcode and a stub; the tag often notes destination airport code and whether the item returns at the jet bridge or goes to baggage claim.
- Keep the printed stub and re-check the destination code written on the tag; if the stub is missing, request one before the agent moves the item.
- Tagged items may be placed in the aircraft cabin closet, under a seat, or in the cargo hold depending on aircraft type and space; the tag indicates retrieval location.
- If an agent refuses to tag and insists on ticket-counter check-in, ask whether fees apply and whether the piece will go directly to baggage claim.
If staff hands you a gate-check receipt with a notation such as “DOOR” or “JETBRIDGE,” expect to collect the pack at the aircraft door after deplaning. If the tag lists a carousel or has a standard baggage barcode, expect pickup at baggage claim.
- Do not assume retrieval method – verify with the gate agent before relinquishing the item.
- Ask whether fragile labels or priority handling were applied if you indicated delicate contents.
After deplaning – if the item is missing, damaged or delayed
- Check the aircraft door area first when a “door-return” tag was issued; sometimes crews hand items back as passengers exit.
- If it’s not there and the tag indicated baggage claim, go to the airline baggage desk or service counter and present the gate-check stub and boarding pass.
- File a Property Irregularity Report (PIR) at the airport before leaving; keep copies of all documents and photos.
- Take receipts for any emergency purchases and save evidence of damaged contents; submit claims through the carrier’s online portal and attach the PIR number, photos and receipts.
- Typical response windows vary by carrier; filing at the airport accelerates retrieval and damage-resolution.
- Do not put irreplaceable items or large sums of cash into a bag you expect might be gate-checked.
- If you must relinquish fragile gear, wrap it in clothing, pad corners, and place it in the center of the main compartment.
- When possible, plan to board early with the item stowed in an overhead bin to avoid tagging.
