Carry-on · hand luggage
Airline carry-on size and weight limits, compared
Carry-on size, personal-item and weight limits for 15 US, UK and European airlines — 19 rules in total, in centimetres and inches. Every rule was checked in September 2026 and links to the airline’s official page.
- easyJetUnder seat 45 × 36 × 20 cm · Cabin 56 × 45 × 25 cm
- RyanairUnder seat 40 × 30 × 20 cm · Cabin 55 × 40 × 20 cm
- Wizz AirUnder seat 40 × 30 × 20 cm
- British AirwaysUnder seat 40 × 30 × 15 cm · Cabin 56 × 45 × 25 cm
- Virgin AtlanticCabin 56 × 36 × 23 cm
- DeltaCabin 56 × 35 × 23 cm
- UnitedUnder seat 43 × 25 × 22 cm · Cabin 56 × 35 × 22 cm
- American AirlinesCabin 56 × 36 × 23 cm
- SouthwestCabin 61 × 41 × 25 cm
- SpiritUnder seat 46 × 36 × 20 cm
- JetBlueCabin 56 × 36 × 23 cm
- LufthansaCabin 55 × 40 × 23 cm
- Air FranceCabin 55 × 35 × 25 cm
- TAP Air PortugalCabin 55 × 40 × 20 cm
- EmiratesCabin 55 × 38 × 20 cm
All 19 rules in one table
| Airline | Fare | Bag | Size (cm) | Size (in) | Weight | Included |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air France | Economy | Cabin bag | 55 × 35 × 25 | 21.5 × 14 × 10 | 12 kg (26 lb) | Yes |
| American Airlines | Main Cabin | Cabin bag | 56 × 36 × 23 | 22 × 14 × 9 | Not published | Yes |
| British Airways | Economy | Personal item | 40 × 30 × 15 | 15.5 × 12 × 6 | 23 kg (51 lb) | Yes |
| British Airways | Economy | Cabin bag | 56 × 45 × 25 | 22 × 17.5 × 10 | 23 kg (51 lb) | Yes |
| Delta | Main Cabin | Cabin bag | 56 × 35 × 23 | 22 × 14 × 9 | Not published | Yes |
| easyJet | Standard | Personal item | 45 × 36 × 20 | 17.5 × 14 × 8 | 15 kg (33 lb) | Yes |
| easyJet | Large cabin bag add-on | Cabin bag | 56 × 45 × 25 | 22 × 17.5 × 10 | 15 kg (33 lb) | Paid add-on |
| Emirates | Economy | Cabin bag | 55 × 38 × 20 | 21.5 × 15 × 8 | 7 kg (15 lb) | Yes |
| JetBlue | Blue | Cabin bag | 56 × 36 × 23 | 22 × 14 × 9 | Not published | Yes |
| Lufthansa | Economy | Cabin bag | 55 × 40 × 23 | 21.5 × 15.5 × 9 | 8 kg (18 lb) | Yes |
| Ryanair | Basic | Personal item | 40 × 30 × 20 | 15.5 × 12 × 8 | Not published | Yes |
| Ryanair | Priority & 2 cabin bags | Cabin bag | 55 × 40 × 20 | 21.5 × 15.5 × 8 | 10 kg (22 lb) | Paid add-on |
| Southwest | All fares | Cabin bag | 61 × 41 × 25 | 24 × 16 × 10 | Not published | Yes |
| Spirit | Bare fare | Personal item | 46 × 36 × 20 | 18 × 14 × 8 | Not published | Yes |
| TAP Air Portugal | Classic | Cabin bag | 55 × 40 × 20 | 21.5 × 15.5 × 8 | 8 kg (18 lb) | Yes |
| United | Basic Economy | Personal item | 43 × 25 × 22 | 17 × 10 × 8.5 | Not published | Yes |
| United | Economy | Cabin bag | 56 × 35 × 22 | 22 × 14 × 8.5 | Not published | Yes |
| Virgin Atlantic | Economy | Cabin bag | 56 × 36 × 23 | 22 × 14 × 9 | 10 kg (22 lb) | Yes |
| Wizz Air | Basic | Personal item | 40 × 30 × 20 | 15.5 × 12 × 8 | 10 kg (22 lb) | Yes |
Check your bag against every airline
Checked September 2026. Airlines change cabin-bag rules often — confirm with the airline before you fly. Inches are rounded to the nearest half inch.
Choosing a bag that works on most airlines
If you fly several airlines, buy for the strictest combination of limits you are likely to meet. Taking the smallest length, width and depth across every rule we track, a personal item no bigger than 40 × 25 × 15 cm (15.5 × 10 × 6 in) and a cabin bag no bigger than 55 × 35 × 20 cm (21.5 × 14 × 8 in) fit the matching allowance of every airline here — though a bigger bag is fine if you only fly airlines with roomier rules.
Weight matters less often than you might think: many US airlines publish no carry-on weight limit, while several European and Middle Eastern airlines do, and some are strict (see each airline’s page). Size is checked at the gate with a sizer, and dimensions always include wheels and handles.
Liquids
Most airports still limit cabin liquids to containers of 100 ml (3.4 oz) in one clear 1-litre bag. Some airports with new scanners allow more — check your departure airport before you fly.
Quick answers
What is the standard carry-on size?
There isn’t one standard. Among the airlines we track, the most common cabin-bag limit is around 55–56 cm by 35–45 cm by 20–25 cm (about 22 × 14 × 9 inches), but the exact numbers differ by airline and fare. A cabin bag no bigger than 55 × 35 × 20 cm fits every cabin-bag rule in our list.
What is the difference between a personal item and a carry-on?
A personal item is a small bag that fits under the seat in front of you, such as a backpack or handbag. A carry-on (cabin bag, in the UK often called hand luggage) is the larger bag that goes in the overhead locker. Some low-cost fares include only the personal item.
How current is this information?
Every rule was checked in September 2026 against the airline’s official baggage page, which is linked on each airline’s page. Airlines change these rules often, so confirm with the airline before you fly.
Packing light? Start from the carry-on only packing list, read how to pack carry-on only for a week, or see how Wayfold’s carry-on check estimates your bag’s weight from the list.
Get the app
Your next trip, already half packed.
Wayfold is coming soon to iPhone and Android: the packing list, trip planner and travel planner in one app. Free to start, no account needed.
- Coming soon onApp Store
- Coming soon onGoogle Play