Short answer: Most fare tiers with the airline include one standard cabin bag plus one under-seat personal item at no additional charge; Basic-style fares include only the under-seat item and require purchase of a cabin-sized bag as an add-on when an overhead-bin item is needed.
Size limits: Standard cabin bag maximum: 22 x 14 x 9 inches (56 x 35 x 23 cm). Under-seat personal item maximum: 17 x 13 x 8 inches (43 x 33 x 20 cm). Items that exceed these dimensions are gate-checked and billed at the applicable bag fee or checked-bag rate.
Where to add a cabin bag: Options include during initial booking, via the Manage Trips tool, at self-service kiosks, or at the departure counter. Advance purchase generally lowers the additional charge; gate purchases typically carry the highest fee (often in the range of $65–$75 on domestic routes, subject to route and time).
Practical recommendations: Measure and weigh bags before arrival, consolidate heavier goods into checked hold when feasible, keep must-have items inside the under-seat item to speed boarding, and confirm baggage inclusion within the chosen fare class prior to departure. When holding a Basic-style ticket, upgrade the fare or add a cabin-sized bag ahead of travel to avoid unexpected gate charges.
Cabin-bag allowance and fees on this carrier
Recommendation: Choose a standard or premium fare to secure an overhead-bag allowance; travelers booked in basic-economy-style fares receive only a single personal item and will be charged to add an overhead bag during online check-in or at the gate.
Accepted dimensions: overhead bag maximum 22 x 14 x 9 inches (56 x 36 x 23 cm); personal item must fit under the seat, approximately 17 x 13 x 8 inches (43 x 33 x 20 cm). Weight limits are generally not specified, though some routes or gates may enforce limits; measure and weigh items at home to avoid last-minute assessments.
To avoid an added onboard bag charge, compress belongings into a single under-seat pack, opt for a slim roll-aboard within the dimensions above, or select a backpack engineered to meet under-seat restrictions: best travel carryon backpack. To remove handling hassle during transfers across Japan, arrange a door-to-door service reviewed here: best luggage transfer japan.
Gate additions frequently carry a higher charge than online pre-purchase and may be denied when overhead bin space is limited; verify the carrier’s baggage policy at booking and again during online check-in to minimize unexpected charges and boarding delays.
Is a cabin bag included with Blue Basic fare?
Blue Basic includes only one personal item that must fit under the seat; a standard overhead cabin bag is not included.
Size limits: personal item maximum 17 x 13 x 8 inches. Standard overhead maximum 22 x 14 x 9 inches.
Adding an overhead bag incurs a fee; purchasing the add-on during booking or via the reservation management tool generally costs less than adding it at the gate or airport counter.
Practical options: upgrade to Blue Plus or a higher fare that includes an overhead bag; add the overhead option while booking; obtain elite status (Mosaic) which provides allowance benefits.
Measure items at home so the under-seat rule is met. Items exceeding under-seat limits may be gate-checked or required to be added as an overhead item, often resulting in higher charges and possible delay retrieving the item after arrival.
Which fares include a full-size cabin bag?
Choose any non‑Basic fare – Blue or higher – and one full-size cabin bag plus one personal item are included. Blue Basic permits only a personal item that must fit beneath the seat.
Full-size cabin bag maximum dimensions: 22 x 14 x 9 inches (including wheels and handles). Personal item recommended maximum: 17 x 13 x 8 inches; it must stow under the seat in front.
Confirm the exact allowance on the reservation confirmation and within Manage Trips; gate agents may measure cabin bag dimensions at boarding. If booked on a Basic fare, a full-size cabin bag can be added via Manage Trips online or at the airport counter; additional charges may apply.
What are the airline’s cabin and personal-item size limits?
Accept a full-size cabin bag up to 22 x 14 x 9 inches (56 x 36 x 23 cm), wheels and handles included, plus one personal item no larger than 17 x 13 x 8 inches (43 x 33 x 20 cm).
Measurement and acceptance details
All external dimensions count: measure wheels, handles and any external pockets. The carrier does not publish a weight cap on cabin items; acceptance depends on available stowage space and gate agent discretion.
Smaller regional aircraft often have reduced overhead space; ensure the personal item fits under the seat in front. Soft-sided bags compress better into bins. Confirm dimensions with a tape measure prior to travel and pack liquids according to the 3-1-1 rule (containers ≤3.4 oz / 100 ml in a single quart-size clear bag).
How much does the airline charge to add an onboard bag at booking, check-in, or gate?
Add an onboard bag during booking; that locks the lowest fee–typical amounts listed below.
At booking
Booking-time add-ons commonly range $30–$60 on U.S. domestic routes. Budget/basic fares tend toward the lower end; longer transcontinental or holiday routes trend higher. The fee is shown as an optional add-on in the reservation flow and applies per passenger, per flight segment. Most standard and premium fare types include a full-size onboard bag at no extra cost.
At airport (check-in and gate)
Online or kiosk check-in: prices usually equal or slightly exceed booking fees, typically $40–$70. Gate additions are the most expensive, often $60–$100; gate staff may refuse acceptance of an unpurchased full-size bag. Charges are processed at the counter or via the airline app, with the exact amount displayed before completion. Elite status and higher-tier fares frequently waive the fee. Fees vary by route and are non-refundable once boarding begins.
Tip: measure bag dimensions, add during booking when possible, and verify fare inclusions during purchase to avoid higher airport rates.
Do TrueBlue Mosaic members or military passengers get free carry-on allowance?
Yes – TrueBlue Mosaic members and active-duty U.S. military traveling on official orders are allowed a full-size cabin bag plus a personal item at no additional fee, including on Basic fares that normally restrict full-size onboard items.
- Mosaic members: Status must be attached to the reservation (TrueBlue number on the booking). If the Mosaic indicator appears on the boarding pass, the full-size cabin allowance is honored regardless of fare class. If the indicator is missing, add the TrueBlue number to the PNR or contact reservations before travel.
- Active-duty military: Personnel traveling on official orders qualify. Bring government-issued military ID and copies of orders when requested; presenting these at check-in or at the gate prevents supplemental charges and gate disputes.
- Dependents: Dependents listed on official military orders generally qualify when traveling together on the same itinerary; agents may request orders and dependent documentation at check-in.
- Blue Basic exceptions: The Basic fare normally prohibits a full-size onboard bag, but Mosaic status and qualifying military orders override that restriction. Boarding without required proof risks gate check or assessment of fare-restricted handling.
- Booking and check-in tips: Add status or military details to the booking well before departure, check the boarding pass for the Mosaic or military indicator, and use ticket counter or kiosk check-in if any documentation must be presented to staff.
- Checked items: This policy covers the full-size cabin allowance and personal item only; checked-item charges follow standard fare and military checked-item rules and should be confirmed separately.
- International travel: Exceptions or partner rules may vary on international sectors; confirm with the carrier ahead of travel when itinerary includes international segments.
Select Blue Plus or Mint fares to secure a full-size cabin bag at no extra fee.
Book a fare that already includes a full-size cabin bag and select an early boarding group when available; early boarding greatly increases the chance of overhead bin space without additional charges.
Booking and boarding tactics
When ticketing, compare fare bundles side-by-side and pick the one that contains a full-size cabin allowance; add priority boarding only when available seats in overhead bins look scarce. At check-in, print a single boarding pass with gate assignment to confirm boarding position; mobile boarding passes often update slower than printed ones.
At the gate, present a compact, soft-sided bag that compresses under-seat if overhead space appears full; gate agents frequently gate-check oversized items at no cost when bins are packed. If a gate agent tags an item, retain the gate-check stub until reclaim.
Packing and gear hacks
Optimize a permitted under-seat item by using a slim, soft backpack or duffel and packing vacuum compression cubes for bulk garments. Place dense items (shoes, toiletry case) at the bottom to create a stable base and fold shirts around them to maximize volume. Wear the bulkiest jacket and boots during transit to free interior bag space.
Measure success at home: load a representative set of contents, sit on the packed bag while sliding it under a chair with a 4–6-inch clearance to simulate an aircraft under-seat compartment. If the bag compresses and remains accessible, it will likely qualify as a personal item at boarding.
Strategy | Tools | Expected result |
---|---|---|
Choose fare with included cabin allowance | Fare comparison grid at booking | Guaranteed full-size onboard bag without added charges |
Prioritize early boarding | Paid or complimentary boarding upgrade, seat selection | Higher likelihood of overhead bin space |
Use soft-sided, compressible bag as personal item | Soft duffel, compression cubes, packing straps | More usable volume under the seat; fewer gate interventions |
Gate-check when bins full | Gate agent tag, keep stub | Item transported in hold without kiosk transactions |