

Many of these underseat bags can serve you well for a one- to two-day trip. Often these bags contain compartments for your passport, phone, pen, and wallet, as well as a padded section for a laptop and a main section for clothes and overnight essentials. But you can get the most out of your allowed personal item if you buy a bag specifically designed for this purpose. This category includes briefcases, tote bags, camera bags, laptop bags, and small backpacks. Check the Federal Aviation Administration’s rules for more info.įor more see our ratings of hard-shell, carry-on luggage, and carry-on luggage brands (including soft-sided luggage).Ī personal item bag has to fit underneath the seat in front of you on a plane. Just be sure to place them in their original packaging, or cover their contacts with nonmetallic tape, to prevent short circuits. Keep in mind that if you carry spare lithium ion and lithium metal batteries or power banks and chargers for your electronic devices, federal airline safety rules require you to keep them in your carry-on. But even rule-abiding luggage isn’t a guarantee that your bags won’t be relegated to the plane’s cargo hold, because the flight crew can impose further restrictions, even after boarding has begun.

If you fly on different carriers, you’ll have to decide whether you want to buy several carry-on bags to conform to the various size restrictions or use one carry-on that meets the most restrictive rules. (If your luggage has wheels, they count toward the overall height.) Depth is measured from front to back (including the handle in the back), and width from side to side. Measure the height of your luggage from the floor to the top of the handle in its lowered position. For international flights (originating or ending outside the U.S.), the size limit is generally smaller than for domestic flights. None of the dimensions can exceed these measurements. For domestic flights on major carriers, your carry-on can’t be larger than 22x14x9 inches (height x width x depth). But they must fit either under a seat or in the overhead compartment. If you travel for business, you’ll need enough room for business attire for vacations, you’ll have more leeway on what to bring.Ĭarry-on bags are convenient for air travel because you won’t need to check them when you fly. It also depends on what you’ll need while you’re away. This will depend mainly on the length of your trip and, if you’re flying, airline luggage restrictions. If you have no place to store a stand-up suitcase, you may want to limit yourself to duffels or bags. Soft-sided, structured bags have a little forgiveness on the front and back. Once the luggage gets home, where will you put it? Hard-sided bags are the most unforgiving you can’t squeeze them into a storage space. On cruise ships, because baggage is stacked in the boat’s belly before departure, we’ve found that flat, rigid luggage is best. If you go on road trips, look for bags that are pliable enough to maximize your trunk space. For airplane travel, familiarize yourself with the luggage rules of the airlines you plan to fly on.
