Michael Turner
Select a bag whose external dimensions do not exceed 24 x 16 x 10 inches (61 x 41 x 25 cm), measured including wheels, handles and external pockets. That size is accepted for placement in the overhead bin on this airline; oversized items risk gate-checking and associated charges.
Personal item allowance: 18 x 14 x 8 inches (46 x 36 x 20 cm) or smaller to fit under the seat. Examples that meet this rule: small backpack, briefcase, tote for a laptop. Only one personal item is permitted free of charge unless a larger allowance is purchased.
Measure your bag fully assembled–extend telescoping handles if they do not retract flush–and verify height, width and depth. The maximum overhead bag totals 50 linear inches (24 + 16 + 10 = 50 in / 127 cm). If a bin sizer is available at check-in, use it rather than relying on manufacturer labels.
Fees for placing an item in the overhead vary by purchase moment: at booking, during online check-in, or at the airport. Typical ranges for an overhead-bag fee run approximately $30–$100 depending on route and timing; gate purchases are usually the most expensive. To avoid fees, limit belongings to a compliant personal item or buy a fare that explicitly includes an overhead allowance.
The carrier does not publish a strict carry-on weight cap; enforcement focuses on fit and whether the passenger can lift the item into the bin unassisted. If a gate agent determines the bag must be checked, expect a gate-check fee. For international departures or codeshare segments, verify the exact size and any weight rules on the airline’s official site before travel.
Cabin bag size limits for this airline
Maximum external dimensions for an overhead cabin bag: 24 x 16 x 10 inches (61 x 41 x 25 cm); measurements include wheels, handles and external pockets.
Complimentary personal item that must fit under the seat: 18 x 14 x 8 inches (45 x 35 x 20 cm).
- Measure packed item across height, width and depth; include all protruding parts.
- Soft-sided cases compress more easily in a sizer than hard-shell suitcases, but gate sizer dimensions are final.
- No published weight limit for onboard bags; passenger must be able to lift and stow the item unassisted.
- Overhead allowance is not included on every fare class; add during booking or online to avoid higher gate charges.
- Oversized items presented at the gate will be checked and assessed applicable checked-bag fees.
- Medical devices and infant essentials may qualify for exemption–carry supporting documentation.
Practical pre-flight checklist:
- Measure the item fully packed and confirm it does not exceed 24 x 16 x 10 inches.
- Keep electronics and liquids in the personal item to reduce chance of gate-checking the overhead piece.
- Purchase overhead allowance in advance and save confirmation on a mobile device.
- At the airport, test fit into the airline sizer before proceeding to the gate.
Locate the airline’s official cabin bag size limit and where to verify it
Check the carrier’s baggage policy page first: the published cabin bag maximum is 24 x 16 x 10 inches (61 x 41 x 25 cm), measured externally and inclusive of wheels and handles.
Official verification points
Confirm the rule on the airline website (baggage or allowances section) and in the mobile app; the booking confirmation email also lists permitted dimensions. Use the airline’s FAQ or contact center for written confirmation if the size in a product listing differs.
At the airport and quick fixes
Use the metal sizer at ticketing or the gate and measure the outside of the bag with a tape. Do not sum dimensions–compare length, width, height to 24 x 16 x 10 inches. If the bag exceeds the limit, transfer items to a smaller personal item, check the piece, or seek nearby repair/modification services such as best luggage repair near me.
Measure a bag at home: step-by-step method for length, width and height
Include wheels and the telescopic handle in measurements; record each value in inches and centimetres immediately.
Tools
Tape measure (inches + cm), flat hard surface, straight edge or level, pen and paper or phone for photos, a wall or corner to square the case.
Step-by-step method
Prepare the case: zip all compartments, remove loose outer items, collapse expandable panels and fasten removable straps.
Position the case upright on the floor against a wall or in a corner so it stands square and does not tilt.
Height: measure from the floor to the highest external point of the case. Ensure the telescopic handle is fully stowed; also note the measurement with the handle fully extended if planning to wheel the case through tight spaces.
Width: measure the widest horizontal distance across the front face (left to right), including external pockets and any protruding hardware.
Depth: measure from the front face to the back, including wheels, bumpers and feet; take the measurement at the deepest point, not the panel midpoint.
Soft-sided items: press evenly to simulate compression before measuring. Hard-shell items: use a straight edge to identify the absolute maximum at corners or curves and measure there.
Round each recorded dimension up to the nearest half-inch or nearest millimetre, convert and write both units, then photograph the tape measure against the item for proof.
Compare the recorded figures to the carrier’s published dimensional limits and choose a different case or adjust contents if any dimension exceeds the allowed maximum.
What gate agents inspect and how oversized bags are determined
Bring one compact under-seat item and be ready for a sizer test: gate agents will place the overhead case into a metal frame; failure to fit triggers gate-checking and any applicable fee under the carrier’s fare rules.
Primary checks: item count (allowed under-seat item plus one overhead case), fit into the sizer (wheels and extended handles included in the measurement), and whether the item will stow safely in bin space or beneath the seat in front.
Physical procedure: agent inserts the bag into the standard airport sizer or attempts a bin placement. If the bag protrudes, tips, or prevents the sizer door from closing, it is declared oversized. Soft-sided cases that compress are often accepted if they fully clear the frame.
Content and safety check: agents scan for restricted articles, loose lithium batteries, or unmanaged spillable liquids. Items deemed hazardous will be removed or refused for transport regardless of external dimensions.
Post-decision handling: oversized items receive a gate-check tag and are taken to the aircraft hold. Retrieval occurs either at the jet bridge after arrival or at baggage claim, depending on airport procedures and aircraft configuration; valuable items and medications should remain in the under-seat item.
Fee and boarding implications: if overhead allowance was not prepaid, a gate-purchase charge typically applies; fare tier and prepayment status determine exact cost. Carrying extra pieces beyond the permitted count often results in immediate gate-checking.
Practical prevention tips: compress clothes into the overhead case, transfer bulky objects into the under-seat item, collapse telescoping handles, remove rigid external attachments, and arrive at the gate early to address any required rearrangement before boarding.
Fees and remedies if a cabin bag exceeds the airline’s length limit
Pre-pay a checked bag online before airport arrival to minimize cost. Online checked-bag rates typically range $30–$80 per segment; airport and gate charges commonly rise to $60–$150.
If a cabin bag is deemed oversized at the gate, immediate options: gate-check (possible fee), check at the ticket counter (pay applicable checked-bag rate), redistribute items into an approved personal item (no fee), don bulky garments to reduce packed volume, or arrange shipping via courier from the airport.
Typical extra charges and price ranges observed on low-cost carriers:
Standard checked-bag (online): $30–$80. Standard checked-bag (airport/gate): $60–$150. Gate/oversize penalty: an added $50–$150 may apply when a cabin-sized bag exceeds dimensions and is handled as oversized.
Practical steps to avoid paying full gate surcharges:
1. Attempt rapid repack: move nonessentials into coat pockets or a purchased tote; remove wheels or straps if they cause the overage and agent accepts.
2. Buy a checked-bag allowance at the airline website or kiosk before boarding begins; online checkout often offers the lowest rate.
3. Ask the gate agent for a courtesy gate-check if space exists; some agents permit free gate-check during aircraft loading, though this is discretionary.
4. If time permits, use a same-day courier or airport shipping counter for items that are bulky but low value; compare courier rate versus gate fee before committing.
If charged unexpectedly, gather evidence immediately: time-stamped photos of measurements (tape measure visible), boarding pass, receipt for the charged fee, bag tag number, and the gate agent’s name or employee ID.
Dispute process recommended sequence:
1. Visit the airline’s baggage service office at the airport before leaving; request written confirmation of the measurement/charge if available.
2. Submit a formal refund or fee-dispute online via the carrier’s baggage/claims portal. Attach photos, boarding pass, fee receipt, bag tag, and a concise explanation of why the item met published dimensions.
3. Expect an acknowledgement within 7 business days and a final response within 14–30 business days; save all correspondence and escalation case numbers.
If the dispute is denied but evidence supports a refund, escalate to the payment provider (card issuer) or file a complaint with the aviation consumer protection authority in the country of travel. Maintain a copy of every receipt and photo until resolution is complete.
Selecting bags and packing techniques to meet the carrier’s maximum linear dimensions
Immediate recommendation: pick a soft-sided cabin bag measuring no more than 23.5 x 15.5 x 9.5 inches external and target under 49 linear inches (L+W+H) to preserve a 0.5–1.0 inch safety margin under the carrier’s 24 x 16 x 10 (50 linear inches) rule.
Bag choice: prefer compressible fabrics, low-profile wheels and recessed handles; a duffel or soft roller compresses into a sizer more easily than a rigid shell. Opt for a model with external compression straps and a boxy shape–rounded designs add effective volume and risk tripping sizers. For an onboard personal item, consider compact backpacks designed for easy under-seat stowage: best backpack for seniors.
Packing system: use two or three sizes of compression cubes (example sizes: 14x10x3 for shirts, 11x8x3 for underwear, 18x12x4 for bulk items). Roll lightweight garments and fold structured items inside a packing folder to keep flat faces. Place shoes along the spine near wheels to maintain a rectangular external profile; store small bulky items inside shoes to save space.
Volume-control tactics: wear the heaviest outerwear during transit, limit shoes to one pair plus sandals, replace full-sized toiletries with travel-sized refillable bottles and a 1-liter clear bag for liquids. Use lightweight travel fabrics that compress (merino, nylon blends) so a week’s wardrobe fits the same cube volume as three cotton-heavy outfits.
Final-dimension check: measure assembled bag including wheels and retracted handle. Use a cardboard template cut to the carrier’s published 24 x 16 x 10 profile and slide the packed case into the template to verify fit. If outer pockets bulge, redistribute or remove items until the template seats flush.
Overpacking prevention: set a firm item-count: e.g., for 4–7 nights -> 4 shirts, 2 bottoms, 1 jacket, 1 pair shoes, 1 set sleepwear, minimalist toiletries. For trips extending beyond a week, plan mid-trip laundry or rely on local machines; for home prep or to assess bulk reduction, consult a high-capacity option such as best graphite 9kg washing machine to pre-wash and compress bulky textiles before packing.
Gate-ready habit: practice packing and measuring before departure; swap to a slightly smaller case if any dimension exceeds the template by more than 0.25 inch to avoid surprise fees and gate rechecks.
