Knowing the personal item size restrictions of your airline before flying is a great way to save you some time and stress. Personal items are free on every airline, so nearly every passenger takes advantage of that.
If you’re preparing for an upcoming flight, here’s everything you need to know about packing a personal item.
What is a Personal Item?
Personal items are objects you can carry onto the plane and slide under the seat in front of you on the flight. Airlines allow one free personal item per person because these objects won’t take up room in the overhead bins. Every airline describes their requirements for personal items on their website.
Most passengers use a personal item to hold the objects they need with them at all times, such as their driver’s license, phone, and credit cards. They may also pack the items they want to use during the flight into their personal item.
What Counts as a Personal Item?
Most airlines aren’t picky about what you count as a personal item, but it’s usually a purse, small bag, backpack, briefcase, laptop bag, or any similar object. It doesn’t have to be a bag, but most people prefer that so they can bring smaller items onto the plane inside that bag. As long as it follows your airline’s rules, you can use any item as a personal item.
Even though some airlines have personal item restrictions, they rarely check personal items before you board. Yet, you should still make sure your item is small enough to fit under the seat in front of you so you don’t cause any problems.
Personal Item vs Carry On
Personal items and carry-ons are both bags you can bring into the cabin, but they differ because personal items are usually smaller. Your personal item is expected to go under the seat in front of you while your carry-on is expected to go in the overhead bin. So, it makes the most sense to use a larger bag or small suitcase for your carry-on.
Many airlines now charge you for a carry-on bag, but they will never charge you for a personal item. Check your airline’s requirements to find out if you should bring a carry-on during your upcoming flight.
Average Personal Item Size
Every personal item is a unique size, but almost all airlines will require your personal item dimensions to be 18 x 14 x 8 inches or less. Anything larger than that runs the risk of not fitting under the seat in front of you. If you choose a personal item with a soft exterior, it may be easier to squeeze under the seat.
The smaller the personal item is, the less you’ll have to worry about. Most airlines will state on their website how big the under seat storage space is so you can pack your personal item accordingly. Yet, if you’re even unsure if your item will fit, you can contact the airline for more details.
Personal Item Size Restrictions by Airline
Each airline personal item size may be slightly different. Thus, it’s a good idea to check your plane’s restrictions before flying. Below are personal item rules for many popular airlines, listed in alphabetical order.
Aer Lingus
- Size Limit: 13 x 10 x 8 inches
- Weight Limit: None specified
Air Canada
- Size Limit: 17 x 13 x 6 inches
- Weight Limit: None specified
Air France
- Size Limit: 15.7 x 11.8 x 5.8 inches
- Weight Limit: 26.4 pounds (carry-on + personal item)
Alaska Airlines
- Size Limit: None specified
- Weight Limit: None specified
- Other Restrictions: There are no restrictions, but the personal item must fit under the seat in front of you.
Allegiant Air
- Size Limit: 16 x 15 x 7 inches
- Weight Limit: None specified
- Other Restrictions: Passengers get one free personal item, but other items for immediate use, such as food or a book, may be brought on as well.
American Airlines
- Size Limit: 18 x 14 x 8 inches
- Weight Limit: None specified
- Other Restrictions: Certain items for parents, such as diaper bags and breast pumps, may be brought on even if they exceed the size limit.
British Airways
- Size Limit: 16 x 12 x 6 inches
- Weight Limit: 51 pounds
Delta Air Lines
- Size Limit: None specified
- Weight Limit: None specified
- Other Restrictions: You’ll need to contact Delta for exact under seat dimensions because they may vary for different aircraft types.
EasyJet
- Size Limit: 18 x 14 x 8 inches
- Weight Limit: 33 pounds
Emirates
- Size Limit: 18 x 14 x 8 inches
- Weight Limit: 15 pounds
Finnair
- Size Limit: 16 x 12 x 6 inches
- Weight Limit: 17.5 pounds (carry-on + personal item)
Frontier Airlines
- Size Limit: 18 x 14 x 8 inches
- Weight Limit: None specified
Hawaiian Airlines
- Size Limit: None specified
- Weight Limit: None specified
JetBlue
- Size Limit: 17 x 13 x 8 inches
- Weight Limit: None specified
- Other Restrictions: Assistive devices, like wheelchairs and strollers, don’t have to follow size requirements.
KLM
- Size Limit: 16 x 12 x 6 inches
- Weight Limit: 26 pounds (carry-on + personal item)
Lufthansa
- Size Limit: 16 x 12 x 4 inches
- Weight Limit: None specified
- Other Restrictions: In addition to a personal item, you can also bring one item for each child, such as a stroller or car seat. First class passengers may bring an extra carry-on.
Norwegian Air Shuttle
- Size Limit: 15 x 12 x 8 inches
- Weight Limit: 22 pounds (carry-on + personal item)
Qatar Airways
- Size Limit: None specified
- Weight Limit: None specified
Qantas
- Size Limit: None specified
- Weight Limit: None specified
Ryanair
- Size Limit: 16 x 10 x 8 inches
- Weight Limit: None specified
- Other Restrictions: Certain carry-on items, such as medical items, strollers, and car seats, don’t need to fit size requirements.
Singapore Airlines
- Size Limit: 16 x 12 x 4 inches
- Weight Limit: None specified
Spirit Airlines
- Size Limit: 18 x 14 x 8 inches
- Weight Limit: None specified
Turkish Airlines
- Size Limit: 16 x 12 x 6 inches
- Weight Limit: None specified
United Airlines
- Size Limit: 17 x 10 x 9 inches
- Weight Limit: None specified
- Other Restrictions: Several items can be brought in addition without extra fees, such as jackets, umbrellas, books, diaper bags, and breast pumps.
Wizz Air
- Size Limit: 16 x 12 x 8 inches
- Weight Limit: 22 pounds
Frequently Asked Questions
Before you hop on your next flight, check out these common questions to help you prepare.
Can I Bring Two Personal Items on a Plane?
Yes, you can carry two items on the plane, but the second one will be considered a carry-on bag, not a personal item. You may need to pay extra for the second item if your airline charges a fee for carry-on bags.
Is a Carry On Considered a Personal Item?
If you have a carry-on bag that fits under the seat in front of you, it can be considered a personal item. However, if you already have a personal item, you may not be able to bring both on for free.
What is the Average Carry On Cost?
Carry-on bags can cost anywhere from $0 to $50, depending on the airline.
What is Allowed in Personal Item Bags?
You cannot bring anything dangerous such as sharp objects or self-defense items. You also can’t pack containers of more than 3.4 ounces of liquid. For a full list of what you can and can’t bring on a plane, check out the TSA’s website.
Can You Put a Personal Item in the Overhead Bins?
Yes, if there is extra space in the overhead bins, you’re able to put your personal item up there. However, many flights are full, so overhead bins are usually reserved for suitcases only, and any small items are encouraged to go under the seat in front of you. Don’t go onto a flight expecting to put your personal item in the overhead bins.
Pack Your Personal Item Accordingly
Before you choose an airplane personal item for your upcoming trip, double check your airline’s restrictions. If your airline has rules about personal item size, make sure to measure yours in advance to make sure it will fit under the seat in front of you. Once you know that your personal item is the right size, you’ll have one less thing to worry about during your travels. Don’t forget to check your other luggage sizes too.
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