Carry On Luggage Size by Airline: Six Rules

There is no single carry-on luggage size for every airline. The six airlines below use different size boxes. And even if your suitcase fits, your fare may not include an overhead bag. Compare all three outside dimensions, then check the fare you bought and the airline flying your trip.

Six published overhead-bag boxes

The table records size rules, not baggage prices. Frontier and Allegiant distinguish a free underseat item from a carry-on whose inclusion depends on the fare or purchase. Southwest's ordinary policy permits one carryon and one personal item. JetBlue's current page describes one of each on its fares. Each carrier's detailed source appears below.

Example: the same suitcase on two flights

A fully packed 23 × 15 × 9 inch roller is within Southwest's 24 × 16 × 10 inch box but exceeds the 22-inch side of American, Delta and JetBlue. Its 47-inch total also exceeds Delta's 45-linear-inch combined limit. That does not tell you a dollar fee or whether the bag is accepted at a full gate. It shows why a universal “airline carry-on” product label is inadequate.

Check the item and the itinerary

Measure handles, wheels, side pockets and expansion zippers. A soft bag may change shape when full. Confirm whether the bag is the one cabin item, an underseat personal item or an item required to be checked. Repeat the check for a partner-operated connection, especially a small regional aircraft. If a cabin item must travel in the hold, remove spare lithium batteries and power banks.

Use the carry-on size checker for the selected airline. For the underseat item, use the personal item checker. The carrier's latest policy and your ticket decide the final allowance.