sue

or does it only fit in the overhead?? It's just one of those standard ones purchased at Burdines (Ricardo). We're flying American if that makes a difference. <BR>Merci

Lookit

From American's website: <BR> <BR>Bags must fit in an overhead compartment or under the seat and should not exceed total dimensions of 45 in/114 cm and a 40 lbs/18 kgs maximum weight. <BR> <BR>For example, a typical carry-on bag could measure 9" x 23" x 13". <BR> <BR>Carry-on items which appear too large or irregularly shaped to fit under a seat, in an overhead compartment, or in a closet or luggage rack, will not be accepted for passenger cabin stowage. <BR>

micia

I can't tell you anything about the measurments but I know American has the extra leg room and it really made the trip a lot more comfortable. <BR>

sue

lookitup, <BR>I know the technical dimensions/restrictions for a carryon and this definitely falls under that but my question was if anyone has experience to whether this would fit under the seat? I don't want to have to put it in the above compartment as I want to be able to get into it during flight without disturbing my seat neighbor by getting up.

sue

oops!! meant to mention it has wheels

Ed

If the backpack (there's no such thing as a "standard one") is big enough to have wheels, I can guarantee you it won't fit under an economy class seat. Probably not under a business class or first class seat either ... not even the pilot's seat.

carol

I have a backpack that has wheels. Nothing fancy, I paid about $25 for it and I love it. It fits under every airline seat I've flown in the last several years with no problems at all. I found it much easier than any carry one I've ever used before.

Rex

I fear that this thread is already a bit too contentious, but maybe there are some worthwhile observations that can still be made. <BR> <BR>The "official" dimensions do seem to vary somewhat - - maybe 10 in "height", instead of 9 (and 11 or 12 can certainly work in some over head compartments) - - but uinder seat, you might be hard pressed to get something to fit if is over 8. 23 might be legal in length, but even at 21, you are going to lose 2-4 inches of leg room - - ok maybe for a 1-2 hour flight (and maybe not even then) - - and some flight attendants will not allow this. either way it seems like a bad idea for a 6-9 hour flight. and width can make or beak the ability to get something under seat. but seats can be very different, as the struts often do NOT correspond to the actual seats. The narrowest seats are about 17, but sometimes the space is 3/4 a seat, and sometimes it is a seat-and-a-half (means impinging on someone else's space). <BR> <BR>All this discussion about measurements might not be the most relevant issue. Perhaps it depends on your own physical size, but if I tried to open a bag of near-max-legal dimensions, IN my lap, in my seat, I feel SURE this would terribly disturb the person sitting next to me. <BR> <BR>Far better to get up - - even if you are not in the aisle seat, and have to ask the person to let you out - - and stand up and get the items you need. Or why not try to get an aisle seat yourself? <BR> <BR>Here's a possibly better idea: consider the idea of a bag within a bag. A reasonable plan might be to have all the items you want to access in something smaller (a gallon zip-lock bag? or something smaller than a breadbox, at least) - - then pull that out at the time you board, and stash wherever you wish (seat back posket, or under seat). <BR> <BR>Far easier on you and the others around you. <BR> <BR>Last of all, remember that the goal is to SLEEP! Don't fiddle with all that stuff! <BR> <BR>Best wishes, <BR> <BR>Rex <BR> <BR> <BR>

Escritora

Sue: Do you have a window seat? American has the individual video screens now, and (at least on my NY-London flights in March) every window seat had a box beneath it (presumably for the wiring) that occupied nearly half the space. What was left was basically enough for a large handbag and no more. So while the extra legroom is nice, if you've got a window you've got what amounts to no storage space beneath the seat in front of you. Anyone have different experiences on American, or was the situation on my flights standard?

janis

sue: listen to Rex. Whether a backpack will fit under a seat largely depends on how full it is crammed. But in any case - try to imagine sitting in a cramped coach seat (yes - even AA is cramped - better, but still very little room) where you have to be a contortionist to simply lean over to pick up something that falls on the floor in front of you. <BR> <BR>And somehow you think stuffing a backpack in that space - the seat in front will no doubt be reclined so there will be even less room - and you will be able to retrieve something w/o disturbing your neighbor. Not likely. <BR> <BR>So put the pack in the overhead and put an organizer, handbag, small day bag or something similar holding all your in-flight necessaries under the seat.

Lookit

Hi, <BR> <BR>Just to muddy the waters further, on a 737 (I assume you aren't flying that on a transatlantic AA flight, but many European carriers do) the struts holding up the seats are not aligned exactly in the middle of the two seats in front of you. The window seat has a strut pretty much directly under the middle of the seat, so under-the-seat room is much smaller than if you are in the middle or aisle seats.

sue

Interesting how testy some people get over a simple question. <BR> <BR>Thanks Carol...glad to hear these backpacks fit under the seat. <BR>Merci <BR> <BR>

Ed

I don't know why Dr. T-Rex feels this thread is getting contentious. <BR> <BR>I'm sure Carol has flown far more than I have. She's certainly traveled with a wheeled-backpack more than I have. <BR> <BR>My observation on the trips I have made in regard to underseat storage space: <BR> <BR>1) It has been rapidly shrinking. <BR>2) On many overseas flights the life jackets take up more than half the spce under the seat. <BR>3) Supporting struts are increasingly in places you wouldn't expect. <BR>4) Sidewall curvature increasingly restricts window seat underseat space ... more applicable to smaller airplanes, less so to wide-bodies. <BR>5) Increasingly "black boxes" are being installed under many seats to provide digital intelligence. <BR>6) I've occasionally found it difficult to put a 4 inch standard-sized briefcase under any seat except in FC or Business. <BR>7) Increasingly, the 6-inch salesman's case I carry is difficult to fit underseat. <BR> <BR>Will a backpack fit? It might, depending on what you have in it, what type of airplane you're on, what airline configured it, what class you're flying in, and which specific seat you're sitting it. <BR> <BR>As I say, it may fit. If it's important to you that it must fit, the probability that it actually will fit is less than 100%. Far less than 100%. <BR> <BR>Sorry if that's contentious. In my experience it's simply the result of what I've observed over many years of flying over 100,000 miles a year, domestically and internationally. <BR> <BR>Ed

Rex

Hmmm... contentious? was it a wrong word choice? not all the way to hostile - - maybe argumentative? lecture-y? Lord knows I've been there, done that - - and if I don't have the t-shirt to prove it - - at least I have the "pompous (red) ass pin" as my "evidence". <BR> <BR>Ultimately, Ed we agreed - - there are any number of better plans than counting on stuffing her backpack - - and accessing it midflight from - - underneath the seat in front of her. <BR> <BR>And if you and I are moving towards being on speaking terms - - even if obliquely through posts on the same thread - - I'm going to count that as progress. <BR> <BR>R <BR>

Sandy

Ed, <BR> <BR>Your comments on the other thread about backpackers shows that you have a low opinion of anyone traveling with a backpack. Hence, your remarks here would be read into, regardless of your proclaimed sincerity.

Ed

Sandy: <BR> <BR>You may want to use some Windex on your crystal ball. It may be a bit clouded. <BR> <BR>You see, I have, on occasion, carried a daypack on board. Never tried to dislodge the seat in front of me by jamming it under, I must admit. Also have tried to avoid dropping it on others' heads or slamming it into others while turning around. <BR> <BR>And a collapsed daypack has often gone to Europe inside one of our suitcases, and two will accompany us to Colorado in two weeks. <BR> <BR>Happy minding!

Sandy

Sorry, Ed, just reading your comments on the other backpacking thread. <BR> <BR>Author: ed ([email protected]) <BR>Date: 9/05/2001, 2:01 pm ET <BR> <BR>Message: I think that those people that use backpacks are the same ones that carry on too much crap and hog the overheads...backpack carrier=stupido <BR>

Ed

Sandy, in fact I didn't think I had made a comment on the backpacker's thread ... <BR> <BR>And in fact I hadn't. Another example of where registration would keep pirates from stealing ones "identity". <BR> <BR>That's not, repeat NOT, my posting. And those who know my posting will find at least one obvious error in it. Plus, I don't think I've cursed in any postings, though I suppose I may have slipped once. <BR> <BR>Again, for those who are against registration: <BR> <BR>1) This could happen to you; or, <BR>2) This is the kind of stuff you want to continue to do. <BR> <BR>And to T-Rex, you can continue to be proud of the example you set of stealing identity by counterfeiting messages from Fodors' editors.