The History of Carry-On Luggage

In 1989 Travelpro released the first small wheeled suitcase designed to be carried on to a flight. The Travelpro Crew 5 carry on wheeled luggage is still available today.

Originally adopted by flight crew, this wheeled suitcase style has now come to dominate the type of carry-on luggage most people use. The good news is that they can hold more than earlier bags.

The bad news is that, although airlines have massively increased their overhead bin storage space, there's no way every passenger could stow a maximum sized carry-on suitcase in any plane's cabin.

How do I know what a carry on is?

Many luggage stores sell suitcases described as 'carry-on', but these suitcases are sometimes larger than the size most airlines will accept.

Not only do luggage stores and manufacturers not always tell you if their bag is legally sized or not, but they also frequently mis-measure their bag. Their measurements generally are for the inside of the main compartment, and assume that any external pockets are of zero thickness, rather than stuffed full of things (which can easily add another inch or more) and ignore any external framing such as wheels and carry handle (which can also add another couple of inches). One company, Samsonite, has guaranteed that their carry on luggage will meet carry on regulations for domestic USA flights. More information on Samonite Luggage.

If you should be very unlucky and find yourself forced to try and squeeze your carry-on into an unforgiving luggage template by the gate, even one extra inch - if your bag is already at the maximum - will be enough to mean it doesn't fit and you have to check the bag.

The safe maximum size is 45", in the form of a 22" x 14" x 9" bag. Some airlines allow up to as much as 55", but most do not.

Further Size Concerns

It seems that the space under the seat in front of you is getting smaller and smaller, particularly with some airlines (most notably on international flights) adding bulky electronic boxes under each seat to control the at-seat video entertainment systems, and with more closely spaced seats that are, themselves, thinner than before.

Although your carry on item might be within the size guidelines issued by the airline, that does not guarantee it will fit under the seat in front of you! So you get on board with your large but legal sized carry on item. However, what happens if there is no space remaining in any of the overhead bins, and you're forced to place it under the seat in front of you? To be sure you will not have problems, look at Atlantic luggage they do their best to make their luggage to fit under the seat or in the overhead.

Even if there isn't a blocking box, due to the design of the seat frame and supports, you'll find there might be the least amount of space under the aisle seat, a bit more space under the wing seat, and most space underneath the center seat. At last - something good to say about getting stuck in a middle seat!

There are standard sets of dimensions that go to make up these totals (for example, 22 x 14 x 9 is the standard for 45") and if you have a bag that is an unusual shape but still within the total number of inches, you may find it being rejected. Note that when maximum size measurements are shown as a total number of inches (eg 45") this is the total of the length, width and height of the piece.

Carry On Suitcase Policy

All airlines place limits on the number, the size, and the weight of what you can carry on to a flight with you. You will be allowed one carry-on item and one personal item. If you are looking for a carry on or a personal item to take aboard, we would like to suggest Hartmann luggage products as a good option.

Personal Items

The standard allowance typically provides for a bag of up to a certain size plus one 'personal item'.

What is a personal item? Some airlines give examples, and suggest that a personal item may be :

Briefcase

Camera

Handbag/Purse

Laptop (in carry bag)

Other items not exceeding 36" in total dimension

Reading Matter

Small book-bag style backpack

Umbrella

In addition to generally allowing you to carry on one bag plus one personal item, many airlines may also allow you to carry on other items such as coats, hats and other 'outer clothing' items, medical aids such as crutches/canes and wheelchairs, diaper bags and approved child safety seats.

Be cautious or be fined

If the airline enforces its carry-on rules, then your only option is to have the disallowed items checked. Unlike checked luggage, where you can pay extra to carry heavier or bigger or more items, with carry on, there are no extra charges.

Lightweight Carry on Options

One problem with a lot of carry on luggage is the weight, and if you not 6’6” and two hundred and fifty pounds of per muscle, getting you suitcase into and out of the overhead compartment can be difficult. Swiss Army luggage, which is made by Victorinox, has many lightweight options is their Victorinox Swiss Werks Traveler collection.

International Carry on regulations

International flights often have much stricter carry-on policies, particularly with regard to the weight of carry-on bags.

A good option for an international carry on piece that will not get rejected is a wheeled tote from Briggs & Riley. These totes are lightweight and provide ample packing space.

If your flight is on a really small plane, you might find that your luggage allowances for both checked and carry-on items are substantially reduced. For example, some light aircraft operators limit passengers to 20lbs of luggage (both carry on and checked).

You need to be aware of these rules, or else the next time you see someone desperately unpacking and repacking their luggage on the floor by the checking counter, that person might be you!

International airlines may have smaller size limits on your carry on bags, too. If you want a bag that is always accepted on both domestic and international flights, you'll need to choose a size or two smaller than the maximum allowable domestic sizes.

Carry On Luggage Online