Carry ons for 2025
 

A friend of mine is about to fly for the first time in a few years. He told me that he has a carry-on that is:

22x14.5x9

He is concerned that the approved carry-on luggage is 22x14x9.

So his width is .5 inches too much. Further, he went shopping for carryons and measured bags and says he found. EVERY bag above that in at least one measurement – some by just a half-inch or an inch. Some were –

23x14x9

22x14.5x9

22x14x10

22.5x14x8

23x15x8

I told him that I think he will probably be OK with a slightly larger width, but I would ask people who know better on this Forum.

Can he go with his current bag?

Why are they still selling carryons that have larger dimensions than the airlines allow?

Where should he buy a lesser expensive carryon these days?

Thanks,

Myles

welcome to Fodors. It really depends on the airline. Some are 'looser' and some are very strict. But that sounds like just a normal carry on accepted on most American airlines and most of the major international carriers. Where problems usually arise is on budget and Low Cost Carriers. My '21 inch' and '22 inch' bags (I have several and always travel carry on only) range from 20.5 to 22.2 inches. widths from 13.5 to 14.5 inches, and depths from 8 to 9.5 inches. ll have been accepted on any 'legacy' airline'.

If the bag is 'marketed' as a carry-on - it is. Besides some LCC's the only other issue is on small commuter type planes where it might need to be gate checked because the overhead bins are much smaller.

Thank you!

Seems logical but then again...logic doesn't always work these days.

Then there’s the issue of “bins are full” bag taken, no matter if it’s the correct carryon size. There are no guarantees, at least in coach.

"If the bag is 'marketed' as a carry-on - it is." Not so as different countries and different airlines have different rules. For example, carry on luggage allowances in the USA seem to be more generous than those in other parts of the world. And in any country, sizes and weights may vary between airlines.

In my experience, weight is even more important than size. Carry on luggage is typically weighed at checkin for international flights but I've rarely seen it measured so may only be picked up if clearly oversized.

It entirely depends on the airline. Most 'legacy' airline worldwide allow what Americans consider a carry-on . . . 21 or 22X14X9. That means LH, AF, AA, BA, JL etc etc etc. Some do impose weight limits on that carry-on but not size.

On the other hand LCC's (low cost carriers) are all over the place and mostly are VERY restrictive and will allow only smaller 'carry-on's and less weight, or sometimes none at all other than a personal item. They get most of their money from add-ons to their basic fares . . . like luggage fees, so they don't allow much of anything for 'free'.

On most LCCS there is the option to pay a higher fare making a 'normal' carry on as above is permitted. I've flown scores of times on all manner of airlines/planes, and either on a regular fare or paid upgrade with my normal US-typical carry-on and the only times I've ever had to check it was gate checking on small commuter-type planes.

Thanks all! I appreciate your help.
Myles