Airline Baggage Rules & Allowances Guide
The complete reference on personal items, overhead carry-on bags, checked luggage weight limits, and forced gate-check hazards.
1. The Three Tiers of Airline Baggage
Personal Item
Must fit completely underneath the seat in front of you (e.g. small backpack, purse, laptop briefcase). Standard size: 18 × 14 × 8 inches (45 × 35 × 20 cm).
Included free on nearly all airlines (Basic Economy included).
Carry-On Bag
Stowed in the overhead bin (e.g. 22" roller suitcase, duffel bag). Standard North American size: 22 × 14 × 9 inches (56 × 36 × 23 cm) including wheels and handles.
Included with standard economy; fees apply on Ultra-Low-Cost Carriers (Spirit, Frontier).
Checked Baggage
Transferred to the aircraft cargo hold at check-in. Standard maximum linear dimension: 62 linear inches (158 cm: L + W + H). Standard maximum weight: 50 lbs (23 kg).
Overweight/oversized bags incur steep excess baggage fees.
2. Critical Safety: Items That Must NEVER Go in Checked Baggage
Certain items present severe fire hazards in the cargo hold or leave you stranded if luggage is delayed:
🔥 Hazmat & Lithium Battery Prohibitions
- Power banks & portable chargers
- Spare lithium-ion camera / drone batteries
- E-cigarettes, vapes & heated tobacco devices
- Flammable liquids, strike-anywhere matches
💎 High-Value & Critical Essentials
- Prescription medications & medical devices
- Passports, IDs & cash / credit cards
- Expensive electronics (laptops, jewelry)
- House and car keys
3. Major Airline Size & Fee Comparison
View all 17 airlines →| Airline | Carry-On Size (in) | Carry-On Size (cm) | Standard Carry-On Fee | Weight Limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Delta Air Lines | 22 × 14 × 9 in | 56 × 35 × 23 cm | Included | No published weight limit |
| United Airlines | 22 × 14 × 9 in | 56 × 35 × 23 cm | varies | No published weight limit |
| American Airlines | 22 × 14 × 9 in | 56 × 36 × 23 cm | Included | No published weight limit |
| Southwest Airlines | 24 × 16 × 10 in | 61 × 41 × 25 cm | Included | No published weight limit |
| JetBlue Airways | 22 × 14 × 9 in | 56 × 36 × 23 cm | Included | No published weight limit |
| Alaska Airlines | 22 × 14 × 9 in | 56 × 36 × 23 cm | Included | No published weight limit |
| Frontier Airlines | 24 × 16 × 10 in | 61 × 41 × 25 cm | paid | 35 lb (15.9 kg) |
| Hawaiian Airlines | 22 × 14 × 9 in | 56 × 36 × 23 cm | Included | 25 lb (11 kg) legacy limit — confirming post-merger harmonization |
| Allegiant Air | 22 × 16 × 10 in | 56 × 41 × 25 cm | paid | No published weight limit |
| Sun Country Airlines | 24 × 16 × 11 in | 61 × 41 × 28 cm | paid | 35 lb (15 kg) |
| Air Canada | 21.5 × 15.5 × 9 in | 55 × 40 × 23 cm | varies | No weight limit — you must lift it into the bin unaided |
| WestJet | 22 × 14 × 9 in | 56 × 36 × 23 cm | varies | No published weight limit — must fit the sizer |