Airline Carry-on Luggage Size Restrictions: What You Need to Know

Here's your cheat sheet for carry-on size limits.

Lauren Dana Ellman is a New York-based writer and editor who specializes in travel, lifestyle, food, and shopping content.

Updated on March 25, 2025

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Hotels? Confirmed. Airport transportation? Secured. Flights? Checked into. Now that all the logistics are squared away, it's time to (finally) start packing. But before doing so, it's a good idea to familiarize yourself with different airlines' luggage rules and size policies, which can vary depending on the carrier and your destination. While most airlines have similar carry-on size guidelines, there are often minor differences. Some carriers are also stricter about overweight luggage, which can include carry-ons. To make packing easier and avoid unexpected airport surprises, we've reviewed the fine print and compiled the top airline carry-on size restrictions for you.

What size is carry-on luggage?

Although there may be minor variations of an inch or two between airlines, the standard carry-on luggage size limit is 22 x 14 x 9 inches, including the handle and wheels. However, some domestic airlines, such as Frontier Airlines and Southwest Airlines, permit 24-inch luggage as a carry-on. Why the specific size limit? Primarily, it ensures that your bag—and ideally everyone else's—fits inside the plane's overhead bin.

Illustrated chart with carry-on luggage restrictions. — Arif Qazi/Travel + Leisure

What is the weight limit for carry-on luggage?

While carry-on weight limits vary by airline, most domestic U.S. carriers—such as JetBlue, Southwest, Alaska Airlines, and Delta—don’t impose a specific weight limit. The key factor is whether you can lift the bag into the overhead compartment yourself. However, if you have any concerns, it's wise to contact the airline or check its website for more information. For instance, Hawaiian Airlines has a carry-on weight limit of 25 pounds, while Frontier allows up to 35 pounds.

Keep in mind that international airlines and flights may have stricter restrictions, as mentioned earlier. For example, British Airways allows carry-ons up to 23 kilograms (51 pounds), KLM Royal Dutch Airlines (KLM) permits luggage up to 12 kilograms (around 26 pounds), and Lufthansa allows up to 8 kilograms (approximately 17 pounds). Additionally, depending on your fare class, you may be permitted more than one carry-on.

What is a personal item?

A personal item differs from a carry-on item, and many airlines allow both. Personal items are small enough to fit under the seat in front of you, while carry-ons are larger and stored in the overhead bin. Common personal items include a laptop bag, a handbag, a beach tote, a diaper bag, and a briefcase, to name a few. While most airlines don't have weight restrictions on personal items, some have size limits. American Airlines and Frontier, for example, both prohibit personal items larger than 18 x 14 x 8 inches.

Traveling with little ones in tow? It's worth noting that most airlines, including United Airlines, American Airlines, Breeze Airways, and Allegiant Air, do not countdiaper bags as personal items, which means you can bring them on board for free.

airline carry-on luggage sizes — Getty Images

What is allowed in a carry-on bag?

What you pack in your carry-on is also subject to regulations. In addition to the restrictions that apply to checked bags—such as prohibiting firearms, lithium batteries, and other potentially dangerous items—you cannot bring containers of liquid, paste, aerosol, gel, or cream larger than 3.4 ounces through security. Allcarry-on liquids or gels must fit into a single, one-quart zip-top bag. You can reference the Transportation Security Administration (TSA)website for more information onrestrictions. Also, different rules apply for items like baby food, medications, breast milk, and/or formula.

Is there a standard international carry-on size?

While there isn't an official limit, most international airlines—including KLM, AeroMexico, and Air Canada—will permit suitcases that are 21.5 inches high and 14 inches wide, including the handle and wheels, with slight variations in height (for example, Lufthansa allows bags that are 55 centimeters high, which is about 21.6 inches). Some airlines, such as Qantas and El Al, allow marginally taller bags (22 inches high).

Common Carry-on Luggage Sizes listed in a table

Carry-on Luggage Size Restrictions for Major Domestic Airlines

American

Carry-on size limit: 22 x 14 x 9 inches
Carry-on weight limit: Not specified
Personal item: One item, like a small purse or handbag; dimensions should not exceed 18 x 14 x 8 inches

Allegiant

Carry-on size limit: 22 x 16 x 10 inches; fees apply
Carry-on weight limit: Not specified
Personal item: One item (like a purse, briefcase, or backpack); dimensions should not exceed 14 x 18 x 8 inches

Alaska

Carry-on size limit: 22 x 14 x 9 inches
Carry-on weight limit: Not specified
Personal item: One item, such as a purse, briefcase, or laptop

Breeze

Carry-on size limit: 22 x 14 x 9 inches; fees apply
Carry-on weight limit: 35 pounds
Personal item: One item like a purse, briefcase, small backpack, or laptop bag; dimensions should not exceed 17 x 13 x 8 inches

Delta

Carry-on size limit: 22 x 14 x 9 inches
Carry-on weight limit: Not specified
Personal item: One item, including a purse, briefcase, backpack, camera bag, or diaper bag

Frontier

Carry-on size limit: 24 x 16 x 10 inches; fees apply
Carry-on weight limit: 35 pounds
Personal item: One item, usually purses, totes, laptop bags, diaper bags, briefcases, and small backpacks; dimensions should not exceed 18 x 14 x 8 inches

Hawaiian

Carry-on size limit: 22 x 14 x 9 inches
Carry-on weight limit: 25 pounds
Personal item: One item; dimensions not specified but typically include a laptop bag, briefcase, purse, or backpack

JetBlue

Carry-on size limit: 22 x 14 x 9 inches
Carry-on weight limit: Not specified
Personal item: One item, including backpacks, totes, purses, and approved pet carriers; dimensions not to exceed 17 x 13 x 8 inches

Southwest

Carry-on size limit: 24 x 16 x 10 inches
Carry-on weight limit: Not specified
Personal item: One item; dimensions not specified but include purses, briefcases, computer bags, backpacks, pillows, blankets, and small cameras

Spirit

Carry-on size limit: 22 x 18 x 10 inches; fees apply
Carry-on weight limit: Not specified
Personal item: One item, including laptop bags and purses; dimensions not to exceed 18 x 14 x 8 inches

United

Carry-on size limit: 22 x 14 x 9 inches
Carry-on weight limit: Not specified
Personal item: One item, typically purses, backpacks, and laptop bags; dimensions not to exceed 17 x 10 x 9 inches