I have seen in a few forums that some airlines do not allow a carry on w/wheels even if it is withing the inch limit -- I am not having any luck getting the info from Swiss Air or Continental who I am flying with (traveling 6/1 to 6/13 Newark to Greece then to Rome through Zurich then home). Has anyone actually had an issue with this lately.
Is the 22/24 inches the actual bag where the clothes go in or do they include the wheels and the little "stand-ee" thing that keeps the bag straight now.
Each family member has a rolling suitcase that we have continuously used on flights state side and internationally for years (but have not traveled in the last 2 years) without any carry on issues in the past. We were planning on using them again until I saw the issue mentioned.
I promise this should be the last questions. We depart Tuesday morning, and I can't wait to enjoy the trip == more so because everyone on Fodor's has provided me with such great advice, guidance and information.

Measurements include all external 'protrusions'. That includes wheels and handles.

I agree with the statement above. I'm no expert, but I've never heard of airlines not allowing a bags with wheels (as long as it was small enough).

I have been to many planes that don't allow bags with wheels. They were mostly regional jets. Canadair 700, Embraer 170, Fokker 100 etc, type of small aircrafts simply don't have the overhead bin depth to accomodate what Boeing 767, 777, etc. can carry. Look at the seating chart. If it is 2x2 seating or less, then it is unlikely they can accomodate 21 inch carryons with wheels.

Regional jets don't allow overhead stowage, so it's a moot point. You won't be flying this kind of craft across the ocean.

brotherleelove: Thank - I will keep my fingers crossed with our well used rollers--and hope I can enjoy one more trip w/out checked luggage. Just learning one son and myself MIGHT make a 2 day side trip to Turkey before heading home. So maybe the two on the Turkey trip will use the non-roller duffels to be on the safe side. We have come a long way from my original request for 5 days in Athens a few months ago. And brotherleelove you have been there responding to each of my requests -- you are the best. Thanks

You should also check on weight limitations. If you haven't traveled for a couple of years, be aware that some carriers are now also imposing a weight limit for carry on luggage. Air France, for example, is 26 pounds (12kg).

If your bags are within the allowed carry on size (including the wheels, handles, etc in that size) then you should be fine.

Regionals, aka Puddle Jumpers, often don't allow roller bags as they often have no overhead storage areas. If that is the case, they've always simply checked the bags at the gate for no cost and you get it back as soon as you depart the plane. Can't advise how that might work in Turkey though.

actually, when we are traveling on what we know will be a regional kind of jet, we don't check, knowing we can gate check, and it will be virtually the same timewise.

<<I have been to many planes that don't allow bags with wheels. They were mostly regional jets. Canadair 700, Embraer 170, Fokker 100 etc, type of small aircrafts>>

That's true, but at my regional airport, we wheel the suitcases out to the plane, they tag them and put them in the cargo hold and you get them back when the plane lands. No problem.

Unless there's been a change, wheeled luggage is allowed on the larger planes as long as it fits in the overhead.

I haven't seen any airines that don;t allow luggage with wheels. But the wheels and the handles are included in the size. And if you check the european airlines you will find that a carry-on is more like 19 or 20" - not 22 and no where near 24" (which is almost full-size luggage).

Also - you need to check the weight of the carry-on esp if using one of the budget airlines - some are as low as 5 kg - about 12 pounds.

Check with the airline. Always. Even if you've flown with that airline before, as their requirements may have changed.

There is no single standard: some limit dimensions but not weight, some limit both but have such a high weight limit that it makes no difference, and some limit both but have such a low weight limit that the dimensions no longer make much difference as there's no way to use an actual suitcase and stay within the limit.

Some airlines enforce their limits, some don't, and some enforce them some of the time.

And yes, you need to count the wheels and any other protrusions in your measurements. Manufacturers typically don't take them into account in their advertising, so buyer beware.

Carry-on on Swiss is limited to 8kg only!