Luggage is a broad term with many varieties in the market, each with a different use case and style. For airline travel, luggage size is mainly divided into personal, cabin, and check-in bag.
Different airlines have varying policy regarding baggage allowances; some airlines charge fees, some have certain conditions while other offer free baggage allowance.
In the article below, I have covered luggage size guide and airlines baggage policy along with their site reference for you to check.
Luggage Size Guide
Carry-on Luggage (Cabin Bag)
Cabin luggage is designed to fit under the seat or overhead compartment of an airplane, and they mostly measure around 22″ in height, 14″ in length, and 8″ in width.
They are usually preferred for short trips and have a larger capacity than personal bags but lower than check-in. It also allows one to exit/depart from the airport earlier, as you do not need to wait at the conveyor belt for luggage claim.
Sometimes, the size of the overhead compartment of domestic flight planes is less spacious than that of international flight planes. Double-check the size limit for the overhead compartment of the respective plane.
Note: if you have softshell luggage, avoid extending its dimensions by overpacking it.
Checked Luggage
Most airlines measure the linear dimensions of luggage, which are 62 minimum for check-in luggage, and their minimum dimensions are 24″ height x 17″ length x 10.5″ depth.
Based on the size, check-in luggage is divided into three variations, including small suitcase (24”h x 17 ”l x 10.5”w), medium check-in (27”h x 18.5”l x 14”w), and large suitcase (32”h x 22”l x 14”w).
Each suitcase size is helpful for different use cases and cost-effective, especially if you have a lot of stuff to travel with. Most airlines charge fees for checked luggage, except Southwest Airlines.
Southwest allows two free checked luggage with a weight limit of up to 50 lbs; linear dimensions must not exceed 62. Conversely, you will be charged up to 125 dollars for an overweight-sized bag.
You can also avoid checked luggage fees if you hold any credit cards from a premium company, have a membership with your respective airline, work as a veteran, or travel in higher classes than the economy.
Personal Item/Bags
Personal bags that are more petite than a carry-on include totes, purses, backpacks, briefcases, and small duffel bags. Almost every airline allows one personal bag and carry-on under the weight limit.
Personal bags are supposed to fit under the seat in front of you on planes and it also gives you hard time by occupying legroom. Each plane is unique and has a different under-seat space.
The maximum allowed dimension for the personal bag is around 18″ x 14″ x 8″; it can vary significantly from airline to airline. It is essential to check it with your flight airline.
Airlines Luggage Size Chart
| Airlines | Carry-On Dimensions (in / cm) and Weight Limit | Checked Baggage Dimensions (linear in / cm) and Weight Limit | Additional Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| American Airlines | 22 x 14 x 9 / 56 x 36 x 23, Weight Varies | Linear 62, Weight Varies | Basic Economy: $30 for first checked bag or purchase a bundle for a free checked bag. Diaper bags, strollers, and musical items not counted as personal bags. |
| Southwest Airlines | 24 x 16 x 10 / 61 x 41 x 25, 50 lbs max | Linear 62, 50 lbs max | Additional fees for third checked bag, large camera equipment, free for military personnel. |
| United Airlines | 9 x 14 x 22 / 23 x 35 x 56, Weight Varies | Linear 62, Weight Varies | Basic economy domestic and intercontinental: one personal bag only. |
| Delta Air Lines | 22 x 14 x 9 / 56 x 35 x 23, Weight Varies | Linear 62, 50 lbs max | Additional charges for check-in bags. |
| Alaska Airlines | 22 x 14 x 9 / 56 x 35 x 23, Weight Varies | Linear 62, Weight Varies | Checked luggage fees for most passengers. |
| Lufthansa | 55 x 40 x 23, 8 kg max | Linear 158, 23 kg max | Light economy class has restrictions on additional checked luggage. |
| Air France | 55 x 35 x 25, 12 kg (economy), 18 kg (business) | Linear 158, 23 kg max | Light-fare economy tickets have restrictions on carry-on. |
| British Airways | 22 x 18 x 10 / 56 x 46 x 25, 51 lbs max | 35 x 30 x 17 / 89 x 76 x 43, 23 kg (economy), 32 kg (business/first-class) | Checked baggage weight limits vary by class. |
| KLM | Personal: 55 x 35 x 25, Hand: 40 x 30 x 15, 23 kg max | Linear 158, 23 kg max | Higher classes may have increased weight limits for checked baggage. |
| Ryanair | Hand: 16 x 8 x 10 / 40 x 20 x 25, Weight Varies | Check-in bag: 10 or 20 kg limit, Dimensions not specified | Carry-on has fees; specific dimensions not provided for check-in bags. |
All above given data may change overtime and it is requested to double check it with official site. Their official site links are given below and you can visit them from here.
Airlines Guidelines For Baggage & Personal Item
American Airlines allows one carry-on and one personal item bag. Carry-on must be within the dimensions limit of 22 x 14 x 9 inches / 56 x 36 x 23 centimeters, including wheels and handles, and it should fit the sizer at the airport.
Some items like diaper bags, strollers, breast pumps, and breast milk coolers do not count as personal bags. Musical items are also considered carry-on items and must fit in an overhead bin or under the seat.
Checked Baggage: American Airlines charges for checked luggage based on the destination and class you are flying. Usually allowed linear dimensions is 62.
If you are flying American Airlines basic economy, you must pay checked bag fees of around 30 dollars, or you can buy basic economy plus one free checked luggage.
Southwest Airlines
Southwest is among the few airlines that allow a carry-on (24″ x16″ x10″), a personal bag, and two checked luggage. Each checked bag must have a linear dimension of 62 and weigh up to 50 lbs.
Southwest will charge up to $125 for additional third-checked baggage, $75 for large camera equipment, and $0 for military personnel.
United Airlines
United Airlines also varies baggage policy based on travel destination, your membership, or the class you are flying. Dimensions for carry-on are 9”x 14”x 22″ (23 cm x 35 cm x 56 cm), and for personal bag, 9”x 10″ x 17″ (22 cm x 25 cm x 43 cm).
Mainly, United Airlines allows a personal bag and carry luggage, except for people flying domestically or intercontinental in the basic economy who can take just one personal bag.
For check-in luggage, the allowed dimensions are 30”x 20”x12″. You can visit their baggage fee calculator and check out baggage rates for your flight.
Delta Airlines
Delta Air Lines allows passengers a personal bag and a carry-on with dimensions of 22″ x 14″ x 9″ (56 cm x 35 cm x 23 cm), and it must lie within them.
For Check-in, you need to pay additional charges for each bag. It should have a linear dimension of 62 (158cm) and must weigh up to 50 lbs (23kg)
Alaska Airlines
Alaska Airlines’ baggage policy is simple to understand, and they allow a personal bag and carry-on with a size limit of 22″ x 14″ x 9″.
Except for premium members or military personnel, they charge for checked luggage weighing 50 lbs. and linear dimensions of 62.
Lufthansa
Lufthansa also allows a single personal item (40 x 30 x 10 cm) like a laptop bag, handbag, or purse and a carry-on with dimensions (55 x 40 x 23 cm) and a weight limit of 8 kg.
Besides light economy class, they also allow additional checked luggage with linear dimensions of 158cm and weight of up to 23kg. Use their in built calculator for accurate luggage fare.
Air France allows most customers a personal item and carry-on except light-fare economy tickets. The permitted dimensions for carry-on are (55x35x25 cm/21.6”x13.7”x9.8″) with a weight limit of 12kg for economy passengers and 18kg for business and la premiere passengers.
Check-in baggage must have linear dimensions of 62.2″/158cm and a max weight limit of 23 kg/50 lbs. Each Air France has an allowed number of bags with instructions mentioned on the ticket.
British Airways allows a personal item (16 x 12 x 6in) and a carry-on bag (22 x 18 x 10in) for basic economy passengers; both should weigh under 51 lbs.
Checked baggage dimensions must be (35 x 30 x 17in) and weigh under 23kg for economy and premium economy and 32kg for business and first-class passengers.
KLM (Royal Dutch Airlines)
Personal Bag: A small bag, purse, or laptop backpack with 55 x 35 x 25 cm dimensions is allowed for all ticket types.
Hand Bag: Carry on within dimensions of 40 x 30 x 15 cm, and a weight of 23 kg is allowed for all ticket holders.
Checked Bag: Royal Dutch Airlines allows at least one suitcase with linear dimensions within 158cm and weighing under 23 kg, except for light economy.
Further, the weight limit increases with higher classes of tickets like comfort and business. Check baggage allowance for your destination flight with their calculator.
Ryanair
Ryanair only allows free handbags, like laptops or purses, with 40x 20 x 25 cm in the cabin. For carry-on, they charge fees, and it should weigh under 10 kg with dimensions of 55 x 40 x 20 cm.
Check-in bags must weigh under the 10 or 20 kg limit; no specific dimensions are mentioned on their site.
Oversized Luggage Problems
Oversized luggage is a hassle. Maneuvering through busy airports and crowded city streets becomes a workout. You risk missing connections and straining yourself with heavy lifting.
- Airlines don’t help; they slap extra fees for oversized bags, quickly inflating travel costs.
- Your suitcase takes a beating during transport. Rough handling increases the chances of damage to the luggage and its contents.
- Hotels aren’t spacious havens either. Limited storage means your oversized luggage becomes a storage puzzle.
- Public transportation complicates things further. Buses, trains, and taxis may charge you extra or refuse service due to your bulky baggage.