The dimensions on your bag tag and the dimensions in the airline's fare rules should be the same. In practice, low-cost carriers enforce the published limits to the millimeter, U.S. legacy carriers rarely enforce anything, and Middle Eastern and Asian carriers weigh strictly but measure loosely. Knowing the pattern for your specific carrier saves you $50-100 in gate-check fees.
U.S. carriers
| Airline | Carry-on | Personal item | Weight limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Delta | 22 x 14 x 9 in (56 x 35 x 23 cm) | 18 x 14 x 8 in | None on most fares |
| United | 22 x 14 x 9 in | 17 x 10 x 9 in | None; Basic Economy: personal item only |
| American | 22 x 14 x 9 in | 18 x 14 x 8 in | None; Basic Economy: personal item only on domestic |
| Southwest | 24 x 16 x 10 in | 18.5 x 8.5 x 13.5 in | None |
| Alaska | 22 x 14 x 9 in | 17 x 10 x 5 in | None |
| JetBlue | 22 x 14 x 9 in | 17 x 13 x 8 in | None |
| Spirit | 22 x 18 x 10 in (paid) | 18 x 14 x 8 in (free) | None |
| Frontier | 24 x 16 x 10 in (paid) | 14 x 18 x 8 in (free) | 35 lb / 15.9 kg |
European carriers
| Airline | Free carry-on | Priority carry-on | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ryanair | 40 x 25 x 20 cm (small only) | 55 x 40 x 20 cm (Priority Boarding required) | 10 kg on Priority |
| Wizz Air | 40 x 30 x 20 cm | 55 x 40 x 23 cm (WIZZ Priority) | 10 kg on Priority |
| easyJet | 45 x 36 x 20 cm underseat | 56 x 45 x 25 cm (Up Front/Extra Legroom) | 15 kg large |
| Vueling | 40 x 30 x 20 cm | 55 x 40 x 20 cm (paid Optima+) | 10 kg |
| British Airways | 56 x 45 x 25 cm | N/A (both included) | 23 kg (rarely weighed) |
| Lufthansa | 55 x 40 x 23 cm | N/A | 8 kg |
| Air France | 55 x 35 x 25 cm | N/A | 12 kg total (carry-on + personal) |
| KLM | 55 x 35 x 25 cm | N/A | 12 kg total |
Long-haul international
| Airline | Carry-on | Personal item | Weight limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Emirates | 55 x 38 x 20 cm | 45 x 35 x 20 cm | 7 kg economy |
| Qatar Airways | 50 x 37 x 25 cm | 40 x 30 x 15 cm | 7 kg economy, 15 kg business |
| Singapore Airlines | 55 x 38 x 23 cm | 40 x 30 x 15 cm | 7 kg economy |
| Cathay Pacific | 56 x 36 x 23 cm | Handbag/laptop only | 7 kg economy |
| ANA | 55 x 40 x 25 cm | 1 personal item | 10 kg |
| Turkish Airlines | 55 x 40 x 23 cm | 40 x 30 x 15 cm | 8 kg |
| Etihad | 50 x 40 x 25 cm | 40 x 30 x 15 cm | 7 kg |
Weight is the operative constraint on most of these carriers. A hardshell carry-on can weigh 3-4 kg empty, leaving only 3-4 kg for contents on a 7 kg limit. If you fly Asian or Middle Eastern carriers regularly, an ultralight softshell case (Osprey, Away Softside) is worth the investment.
Personal items
The 'personal item' has become a battleground. U.S. carriers generally interpret it loosely - a small backpack, tote or laptop bag under the seat is fine. European low-cost carriers interpret it strictly - dimensions must fit the sizer, no exceptions.
Items that count as personal:
- Small backpack.
- Handbag or purse.
- Laptop bag.
- Camera bag.
- Small duffel.
Items that do not count and require a separate allowance:
- Full-size backpack (over 25L or dimensions exceeding personal item box).
- Second carry-on.
- Musical instruments over a certain size (unless purchased seat).
How enforcement works
Understanding when the airline actually checks the bag helps you plan:
- Check-in counter: only occasionally, mainly on Ryanair/Wizz/Spirit.
- Priority security lane: rarely, mainly for airport security.
- Boarding gate: this is the enforcement point on low-cost carriers.
- During boarding: gate agents may pull people out of line to check.
- In the jet bridge: rare, usually last-resort gate-checking due to overhead space.
For legacy carriers, the enforcement pattern is basically: if the flight is full and there is no overhead space, they announce free gate-check for anyone with a carry-on. If it is not full, no one measures anything.
See also: carry-on packing checklist, restricted items and baggage tracking tips.
Frequently asked
Do coats and jackets count as carry-on?+
No. On every airline, outerwear worn or carried does not count against your allowance.
Does a duty-free bag count?+
Almost never on the origin flight, but yes on connections through airports that re-screen liquids (UK, US, Australia).
Can I bring a full-size guitar in the cabin?+
In the U.S. yes, under the FAA rule - if it fits in an overhead or closet. Internationally it depends on the aircraft; often you need to buy an extra seat for anything larger than a violin.
Marta Reyes
Senior travel editor at AirHelpService
Writes about air travel operations, passenger rights and airport procedures. Reader questions and corrections welcome via our contact page.
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