AIRLINE CARRY-ON GUIDE

1. STANDARD CARRY-ON LIMITS BY REGION

Region

Typical Airlines

Size Limit (inches)

Weight Limit

Notes

North America

American, Delta, United

22×14×9 (56×36×23 cm)

22-25 lbs (10-11.3 kg)

Standard for economy class; premium cabins may allow extra allowance

Spirit, Frontier

22×18×10 (56×46×25 cm)

Extra fee required

Basic fares often exclude carry-ons; only personal items allowed

Europe

Lufthansa, British Airways

21.5×15.5×9 (55×40×23 cm)

17-22 lbs (8-10 kg)

Budget airlines (e.g., Ryanair) allow only small personal items (16×12×7 in)

Asia & Int'l

Emirates, Singapore Airlines

21.5×15.5×9 (55×40×23 cm)

Economy: 22 lbs (10 kg)

Special rules for lithium batteries and duty-free purchases

Biz: 26 lbs (12 kg)

Japan Airlines, ANA

21.5×15.5×9 (55×40×23 cm)

14-22 lbs (6.3-10 kg)

Strict weight enforcement; overweight bags may incur fees

2. PROHIBITED & RESTRICTED ITEMS

Category

Prohibited Items (Absolutely Banned)

Restricted Items (Require Declaration/Compliance)

Hazardous

Knives (blade >4 in), firearms, explosives, flammable liquids (e.g., gasoline)

Lithium batteries (≤100Wh carry-on; 100-160Wh needs airline approval)

Liquids

Liquids over 3.4 oz (100 ml) per container (TSA/EU rules)

Duty-free liquids (keep in sealed bags with receipts), baby formula

Special Items

Fresh produce, meat (banned by some countries for entry)

Medical devices (e.g., CPAP machines), cash over $10,000

3. SMART PACKING TIPS & HACKS

Need

Tips

Examples/Tools

Space Saving

Roll clothes instead of folding; use compression packing cubes

Eagle Creek Pack-It Cubes, vacuum storage bags

Weight Management

Wear heavy items (coats, boots); choose lightweight luggage (e.g., polycarbonate)

Travelpro Maxlite 5 spinner (weighs 5.4 lbs)

TSA/EU Security

Store liquids in a clear quart-sized bag; keep electronics accessible

Clear toiletry bags, laptop sleeves with quick-access design

Organization

Categorize items by use (e.g., electronics, toiletries, clothes)

Divided travel organizers, packing cube sets

4. AIRLINE-SPECIFIC POLICIES (SELECTED CARRIERS)

Airline

Carry-On Size

Weight Limit

Personal Item Size

Fees & Notes

American Airlines

22×14×9 in

22 lbs

18×14×8 in

Free for most fares; basic economy has restrictions

Ryanair

21.7×15.7×9.8 in

22 lbs

16×12×7 in (free)

Carry-on requires "Priority" add-on ($10-30)

Emirates

21.5×15.5×9 in

26 lbs (biz)

15.5×11.8×5.9 in

Premium cabins allow extra baggage allowance

Qantas

21.5×13.8×9 in

14 lbs

16.1×11.8×7.9 in

Strict size checks at Australian airports

5. FAQs

Question

Answer

What’s the difference between a carry-on and a personal item?

A personal item (e.g., backpack, purse) must fit under the seat (<18×14×8 in), while a carry-on goes in overhead bins.

Can I bring a portable charger in my carry-on?

Yes, if it’s ≤100Wh (20,000mAh). Larger chargers (100-160Wh) need airline approval.

What if my bag is slightly over the size limit?

Full-service airlines may be lenient, but low-cost carriers often enforce strictly. Choose soft-sided luggage for flexibility.