What are the maximum dimensions for carry on luggage

Immediate recommendation: Keep external measurements at or below 22 x 14 x 9 in (56 x 35 x 23 cm), wheels and handles included, to meet overhead bin rules on Delta, United, American.

Regional quick reference: North America standard ≈ 22 x 14 x 9 in (56 x 35 x 23 cm); European legacy carriers often allow 55 x 40 x 20–23 cm; low-cost European operators commonly offer a free underseat item ≈ 40 x 20 x 25 cm and a priority cabin case up to 55 x 40 x 20 or 56 x 45 x 25 cm; Asian carriers vary between 55 x 40 x 20 cm and 56 x 36 x 23 cm depending on carrier.

Weight notes: many European airlines set cabin bag weight limits between 7–10 kg (15–22 lb); US carriers often publish no fixed weight cap but expect passenger ability to lift case into overhead bin. Measure external size by including wheels, side pockets and retractable handles; use a tape measure along length, width and depth while bag packed at typical fullness.

Packing recommendations: place liquids in a single clear quart-sized pouch with containers ≤ 100 ml (3.4 oz) each; reserve heavy items in checked case to avoid exceeding weight limits; prefer soft-sided cases when aiming for strict size checks, as compressibility can help fit into tight overhead spaces.

Before travel, verify operator policy online and confirm allowance 24–48 hours prior to departure; bring printed measurements or use a compact bag scale to avoid gate surprises.

How major U.S. airlines measure and publish cabin bag size limits

Measure outside edges first: height, width, depth including wheels, handles, exterior pockets; record values in inches or centimeters and compare against carrier policy before arrival at airport.

Major U.S. carriers publish specific size guidance on official policy pages and FAQ sections; some list numeric values (L × W × H), others state qualitative rule such as “must fit in overhead bin” without numbers.

Standard measuring practice: use a rigid tape measure at fullest point, include any protruding components, follow rounding convention noted by carrier (round up to nearest inch or cm when specified).

Publication channels used by airlines: policy web pages, mobile app baggage pages, contract of carriage documents, ticket/confirmation fine print, airport signage and gate agents; search route- or fare-specific rules when traveling on partner itineraries.

Gate enforcement protocol: many airports provide rigid sizers; bags that fail fit may be tagged and gate-checked or incur fee; have a collapsible backup bag or remove nonessential items to meet fit requirement.

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Typical size rules European and low-cost airlines

Aim to keep cabin bag within 55 x 40 x 20 cm and 10 kg on most full-service European airlines; low-cost operators commonly restrict passengers to a small personal item near 40 x 30 x 20 cm unless priority upgrade purchased.

Examples and quick references: Ryanair basic fares permit one small personal item 40 x 20 x 25 cm; priority upgrade adds main cabin bag allowance up to 55 x 40 x 20 cm. Wizz Air basic bundle includes 40 x 30 x 20 cm; WIZZ Priority permits main cabin bag 55 x 40 x 23 cm with a 10 kg weight cap. easyJet standard tickets accept one item up to 45 x 36 x 20 cm to fit under seat; Cabin Bag or Up Front options allow 56 x 45 x 25 cm into overhead lockers. Full-service carriers such as Lufthansa, Air France, British Airways typically permit cabin bags around 55 x 40 x 20–23 cm with informal weight guidance near 8–10 kg.

Practical recommendations: measure external width, height, depth including wheels and handles; use soft-sided cases to gain a few centimetres at gate checks; purchase priority boarding or specific baggage bundles when larger on-board item required; weigh bag at home using compact scale to avoid gate fees; pack fragile items in checked compartments when gate check expected. Accessory suggestions: compact tripod or stand recommendations: best light stands for 7 umbrellas.

How to measure bag correctly: length, width, depth and handles

Use a rigid tape measure; measure with bag packed as usual, standing upright on a firm, level surface; include wheels, feet, external pockets and any fixed handles; measure telescoping handle both stowed and fully extended.

• Tools: metric/imperial tape measure, flat floor, small stool or ruler to keep bag vertical, helper optional.
• Preparation: empty loose items from external pockets, zip all compartments closed, fasten compression straps to typical travel tension, set wheels on floor as used during boarding.

1. Height (H)

   • Place bag upright on floor. Measure from floor surface up to highest point of bag when telescoping handle is stowed. Include wheel housings and any raised logo or feet.
   • Then extend telescoping handle fully and measure from floor to top of extended handle; record this value separately.

2. Width (W)

   • Measure across front face at widest point, including side pockets, buckles or straps that protrude outward. Keep tape straight and parallel to floor.
   • If bag has an asymmetrical shape, take maximum measurement across all sections and use that figure.

3. Depth / Thickness (D)

   • Measure front-to-back at deepest point, including wheel housings and any protruding base protectors. For soft-sided bags, compress to normal packed firmness before measuring.
   • When wheels extend beyond base plane, measure to outermost point of wheel casing while bag sits naturally on floor.

4. Handles, Straps, External Accessories

   • Record length of any side or top fixed handles when folded against bag. If a fixed handle protrudes beyond measured width or depth, include that protrusion in corresponding axis.
   • Record telescoping handle measurement both stowed and extended. If extended figure exceeds allowed value published by carrier, expect tool rejection even if stowed measurement fits.

5. Soft vs. hard shells

   • Soft shell: compress naturally as when packed; do not over-squeeze. Measure after straps adjusted to normal tension.
   • Hard shell: measure at points where shell bulges or has raised fixtures; wheels and bumpers count toward final figures.

6. Recording and rounding

   • Record each axis in both centimetres and inches. Round measurements up to nearest whole cm or 0.5 inch.
   • Add a buffer of 1–2 cm (0.5–1 in) to each recorded value to cover measurement variance and zip bulge during sizer checks.

Quick checklist:

• Bag packed as usual
• Tape measure straight and snug, not twisted
• Include wheels, feet, external pockets, protruding handles
• Record H, W, D plus extended-handle length
• Round up and add 1–2 cm buffer

Weight limits: when they apply and how they interact with size rules

Check airline weight allowance before packing; if a bag fits a sizer but exceeds allowance expect gate check or an excess fee at boarding.

Major US legacy carriers publish no cabin weight cap; enforcement rests on passenger ability to lift a bag into an overhead bin. Many European low-cost carriers set limits between 7–10 kg, full-service short-haul operators commonly list 8–10 kg, long-haul policies often permit 10–14 kg, while some Middle Eastern and Asian airlines publish 15–23 kg tied to premium fare classes or combined checked allowance.

Size rules get enforced using rigid sizers at gate or boarding; weight checks typically happen at check-in desk or gate depending on operator. If a bag exceeds a sizer, staff will require gate check even when mass sits within allowance. If a bag fits a sizer but exceeds permitted mass, possible outcomes include paid overweight fee, required checked tagging, or refusal to board with that item. Cabin crew may also refuse heavy items when passengers cannot stow them unassisted.

Fees escalate quickly at gate; pre-purchasing extra allowance online usually costs less than paying at airport. Gate-checking sometimes provided without charge but cannot be relied upon as a plan B.

Practical steps

Weigh a packed bag at home with a digital scale accurate to 0.1 kg and aim to sit 2–3 kg under published allowance. Redistribute dense items into a personal item or coat pockets. Pack bulky light items in a cabin bag and heavy dense items in checked bags when possible. Test lifting a bag onto a shelf at home to confirm ability to stow without assistance. Keep liquids inside 100 ml containers in a clear resealable pouch and avoid overloading external pockets that can push a bag over sizer limits. When uncertain, contact carrier or check an official baggage page before leaving home.

Gate procedure if cabin bag exceeds size limit

Present oversized cabin bag to gate agent immediately; move valuables, medicines, electronics into personal item or pockets before agent measures or tags.

Gate staff commonly use a rigid sizer at boarding gate or jetbridge. If bag does not pass fit test agent will tag bag as gate-checked and direct passenger to leave item at plane door or hand it to agent; tagged bag receives a claim stub and is handled like checked baggage.

Likely outcomes

Gate-check with no fee: common on many domestic networks when overflow or bin space is limited; item returned at arrival carousel or at aircraft door for small planes.

Paid check at gate: low-cost and some international carriers may require paid check if cabin bag exceeds published size or weight; fee charged at gate counter before boarding.

Refusal to board with onboard item: rare, usually when safety or security rules violated (blocked aisles, oversized hard cases) – passenger must either purchase a checked ticket or repack to comply.

Immediate fixes at gate

Compress soft-sided bag by removing jacket, shoes, bulky items into personal item; unclip external pockets and flatten wheels where possible so bag sits within sizer.

Move fragile or important content into a daypack or tote carried as personal item; if airline allows two items, wear one item on body (backpack or coat) to reduce onboard footprint.

If agent requires paid check, request gate-check tag with priority label when applicable (priority passengers often keep faster retrieval); note claim number and photograph tag barcode.

Keep claim documentation and photograph tag barcode; file damage or delay report at airline desk immediately if bag arrives late or damaged. Keep boarding pass handy when retrieving gate-checked item.

Selecting cabin bag size that fits most aircraft overhead bins

Pick cabin bag with external measurements ≤55×35×20 cm (21.7×13.8×7.9 in); choose 50×35×20 cm when flying low-cost or regional jets to reduce gate-check risk.

Target three practical size tiers: 55×35×20 cm for most A320/B737 family narrow-bodies, 50×35×20 cm for strict low-cost carriers and older regional cabins, 45×35×20 cm when guaranteed overhead fit is required on tight-bin aircraft or crowded flights.

Prefer soft-shell construction with recessed wheels and a flush telescopic handle to gain 1–2 cm of give at corners; avoid zip-expand features that increase bulk by up to 5 cm when fully zipped out.

Choose low-profile four-wheel spinners with wheel housings that do not protrude beyond main shell; wheel depth commonly adds 3–4 cm to overall thickness, so check total external measurement including wheels and handles.

Opt for top-loading internal organization and compression straps rather than external pockets; external pockets add thickness and can prevent snug placement into bins with limited height.

When packing, keep heavier items low and flat so bag sits upright without bulging; use compression packing cubes to reduce soft-shell bulge by 10–20%. Carry one collapsible personal item to relocate bulky items such as jackets or oversized shoes.

Expect regional jets like Embraer 170/175, CRJ series, and older narrow-body subtypes to accept only smaller cabin bags; when routing includes short segments or turboprops, choose 50×35×20 cm or smaller to avoid gate check.

Perform a quick fit test at home: measure full external profile including wheels and handle, then place bag upright into a rectangular opening matching airline published allowance; if bag requires force to seat, select smaller model or reduce packed contents.