The standard carry-on bag size on US airlines is 22 x 14 x 9 inches, the limit published by United, American, Delta, Alaska and JetBlue. Southwest and Frontier allow 24 x 16 x 10 inches and Allegiant 22 x 16 x 10 inches. The personal item size varies more, from 17 x 10 x 9 inches on United to 18 x 14 x 8 inches on American, Frontier and Allegiant, and Delta, Southwest and Alaska publish none. These are the figures as stated by each airline on its website, checked 19 October 2026.
| Airline | Carry-on bag | Personal item | Weight limit | Who gets the carry-on |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United | 22 x 14 x 9 in (56 x 35 x 23 cm) | 17 x 10 x 9 in (43 x 25 x 22 cm) | None stated | All fares except Basic Economy (see below) |
| American | 22 x 14 x 9 in (56 x 36 x 23 cm) | 18 x 14 x 8 in (45 x 35 x 20 cm) | None stated | One per passenger, Basic Economy not mentioned |
| Delta | 22 x 14 x 9 in (56 x 35 x 23 cm), 45 linear in (114 cm) in total | No size published | None stated | Each passenger, free, Basic Economy not mentioned |
| Southwest | 24 x 16 x 10 in (61 x 40.5 x 25.5 cm) | No size published | None stated | One per passenger, fares not mentioned |
| Alaska | 22 x 14 x 9 in (56 x 35.5 x 23 cm) or 45 linear in | No size published | None stated | One per passenger, free |
| JetBlue | 22 x 14 x 9 in (55.9 x 35.6 x 22.9 cm) | 17 x 13 x 8 in (43.2 x 33 x 20.3 cm) | None for carry-on bags | All fares, Main Base included |
| Frontier | 24 x 16 x 10 in (61 x 40.5 x 25.5 cm) | 18 x 14 x 8 in (45.5 x 35.5 x 20.5 cm) | 35 lb (16 kg) | Economy, Premium and Business bundles, otherwise paid |
| Allegiant | 22 x 16 x 10 in (55 x 40 x 25 cm) | 18 x 14 x 8 in (45 x 35 x 20 cm) | None stated | Paid option |
The centimeters and kilograms are each airline’s own figures, except the centimeters of Southwest, Alaska and Frontier and Frontier’s 16 kg, which are our conversions from their inches and pounds, rounded to the nearest half unit. Sides are put in length x width x depth order. Spirit, still on some size charts, cancelled all flights and began winding down on 2 May 2026, as reported by Al Jazeera. Hawaiian and Sun Country are left out because we could not read their sizes on their own websites that day.
The standard carry-on bag size: 22 x 14 x 9 inches
22 x 14 x 9 inches, about 56 x 35 x 23 cm, is the carry-on limit at five of the eight airlines above. United, American, Delta, Alaska and JetBlue count wheels and handles in it, so a suitcase sold as “22 inch” fits only if those 22 inches include them.
Delta and Alaska also cap the total at 45 linear inches (114 cm on Delta’s page). Since 22 + 14 + 9 makes 45, a bag at the limit on all three sides is at the limit in total too.
Personal item size by airline
Five airlines in the table publish a personal item size. Delta, Southwest and Alaska give only examples, such as Alaska’s “One small personal item such as a purse, briefcase, or laptop bag”. An older Southwest figure of 18.5 x 8.5 x 13.5 inches still circulates, but it is not on Southwest’s page.
For one bag that meets every personal item size published, take the smallest figure on each side, which is 17 inches (United and JetBlue), 10 inches (United) and 8 inches (JetBlue, American, Frontier and Allegiant). That gives a 17 x 10 x 8 inch box, or 43 x 25 x 20 cm. It is no airline’s rule, only the box that sits inside all five.
United personal item size
The United personal item size is 17 x 10 x 9 inches (43 x 25 x 22 cm), and it must fit under the seat in front of you. United names “purses, backpacks and laptop bags” as common personal items.
Its 10 inch middle side is the tightest in our table, where the others allow 13 or 14 inches, so a laptop backpack that passes on JetBlue or American can be too wide for United. On CommutAir flights (United Express), United says “you’re only allowed one personal item”.
Delta personal item size
Delta does not publish a personal item size. It lists a purse, briefcase, small backpack, belt bag and laptop bag, and says “Pick an item like this or of a similar size to store beneath the seat in front of you during your flight.”
On Delta Connection flights with 50 seats or fewer, only personal items go on board and larger carry-ons are gate-checked free.
Carry-on vs personal item: what goes where
The carry-on goes in the overhead bin and the personal item under the seat in front of you, and Alaska adds that you need to be able to lift your own bag into the bin. A backpack can be either.
Some things count as neither, such as a diaper bag, a breast pump or a stroller on American and United. United also allows a coat, an umbrella and food bought at the airport, but says “Small purses or bags are not allowed in addition to your personal item and carry-on.”
Basic Economy and basic fares: who gets a carry-on
Every airline in the table includes a personal item. The carry-on is where fares differ, as the table’s last column shows, and three rules need more detail.
- United Basic Economy: “For most trips you can only bring one personal item”. A carry-on is allowed only on flights to South America, across the Atlantic or across the Pacific, with exceptions for Premier members, primary cardmembers of a qualifying MileagePlus card and Star Alliance Gold members.
- JetBlue Main Base: “All fares (including Main Base) include a carry-on bag that fits in the overhead bin (space permitting)”.
- Allegiant: the personal item is free and the carry-on is a paid option, priced by route and timing.
Carry-on weight limits
Frontier’s bag options page gives the same 35 lb limit for the personal item as for the carry-on, and JetBlue says it “does not currently have a weight restriction for carry-on bags”.
How to measure a backpack for a carry-on or personal item
Measure it packed and closed. United, American, Delta, Alaska, JetBlue and Southwest count wheels and handles, Southwest adds any attachments, and Frontier counts handles, wheels and straps.
- Height: from the bottom seam to the top of the grab handle.
- Width: across the widest point, side pockets included.
- Depth: front to back at the fullest point.
A soft bag bulges when full, and Alaska says of a soft-sided suitcase, “you may want to measure your suitcase again once you’ve packed it”.
What happens at the gate if your bag is too big
United says a carry-on “might be gate-checked if a plane runs out of overhead space, your bag is over the size limit or you’re over your carry-on bag allowance”, and adds, “If you do have to check bags you may have to pay a fee.” American’s carry-on “Must fit in the airport sizer”, United and Alaska also have sizers at the airport, and Delta points to “size check displays located at ticket counters and gates”. Southwest asks you to “check item(s) at the ticket counter before you head to your departure gate.”
International flights
Abroad, the airline you fly sets the size. Aer Lingus allows a 10 kg (22 lb) carry-on of 21.5 x 15.5 x 9.5 inches (55 x 40 x 24 cm) on flights to and from North America, stored in the overhead bin subject to availability, plus a personal item of 15.5 x 11.5 x 8 inches (40 x 30 x 20 cm). Its 15.5 inch length is shorter than the 17 inch box above, so check the length if you fly Aer Lingus.
Backpacks that fit a personal item or carry-on box
Sizes below are each bag’s stated dimensions in cm. The inches are our conversion, rounded to the nearest half inch. A soft bag packed full bulges, so measure yours packed.
Personal item backpacks within 17 x 10 x 8 inches
On their stated dimensions, these four fit a 17 x 10 x 8 in (43 x 25 x 20 cm) box, and also the 40 x 30 x 20 cm Aer Lingus personal item.
- Our small leather backpack in genuine cowhide, 25 x 21 x 13 cm (10 x 8.5 x 5 in), with a zip closure and a flap front pocket.
- Our women’s black leather convertible backpack purse in cowhide, 23 x 12 x 24 cm (9 x 4.5 x 9.5 in), worn on the back or the shoulder or carried by hand.
- Our mini vegan leather backpack for women, 20 x 8 x 23 cm (8 x 3 x 9 in), under 20 liters.
- Our women’s vintage faux leather backpack, 21 x 20 x 9 cm (8.5 x 8 x 3.5 in), under 20 liters, with a rain cover included.
Carry-on backpacks within 22 x 14 x 9 inches
On their stated dimensions, these four fit a 22 x 14 x 9 in box. They also fit the JetBlue, American, Frontier and Allegiant personal item sizes, but not United’s 10 inch middle side.
- Our genuine cowhide leather backpack for a 16 inch laptop, 43 x 30 x 15 cm (17 x 12 x 6 in) as stated by the supplier.
- Our men’s vintage leather backpack in genuine leather, with a hammered finish, 42 x 32 x 12 cm (16.5 x 12.5 x 4.5 in), for a 15.6 inch laptop.
- Our 14 inch faux leather laptop backpack, 43 x 32 x 15 cm (17 x 12.5 x 6 in), 22 liters.
- Our waterproof men’s black faux leather laptop backpack, 29 x 13 x 43 cm (11.5 x 5 x 17 in), about 29 liters, with a strap that slides over a suitcase handle.
More are in our leather backpacks collection, with women’s leather backpacks and men’s leather backpacks, and in our carry-on backpacks collection. Our Southwest carry-on size guide covers its 24 x 16 x 10 inch limit in detail.
Carry-on and personal item FAQ
What is the TSA approved size for a carry-on?
The size to meet is your airline’s, as in the table above.
What are the new carry-on rules for 2026?
The sizes on 19 October 2026 are those in the table. JetBlue’s fares now start with Main Base, which includes a carry-on (bookings made on or before 29 July 2026 keep their earlier fare details), and Southwest’s page gives no personal item size.
Can you have a 24 inch carry-on luggage?
Yes on Southwest and Frontier, whose limit is 24 x 16 x 10 inches. The other six airlines in the table cap the length at 22 inches.
Is a 22 inch carry-on too big?
No, 22 inches is the maximum length on six of the eight airlines in the table, if it includes the wheels and handles.
Does a backpack count as a personal item?
Yes, if it fits your airline’s personal item size, and United, Delta and Southwest name a backpack as an example.
What if my personal item is 2 inches too big?
Then it is over the limit, since none of the airlines in the table publishes a tolerance. On a soft backpack the extra is often depth, so taking a few things out can bring it back within the size.
Why can’t you wear a crossbody on a plane?
You can, but Southwest counts it as your personal item (“purse (including crossbody bags)”).
Can I bring a personal item and a carry-on?
Yes, except on United Basic Economy for most trips, and on Frontier and Allegiant the carry-on is a bundle or paid option.
Sizes checked on the airlines’ websites on 19 October 2026. Airlines change their rules, so check your booking before you fly.