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Will my bag fit? Carry-on and personal-item sizes by airline

Check your carry-on size against each airline: enter your bag’s three sides, wheels and handles included, and see whether it flies as a carry-on or a personal item. Every limit comes from the airline’s own page.

8 US airlinesChecked Oct 18, 2026, and every month

22 × 14 × 9 inThe usual carry-on limit: American, Delta, United, JetBlue and Alaska
24 × 16 × 10 inBigger carry-ons on Southwest and Frontier
17 × 10 × 9 inUnited’s personal item, the smallest with a size
45 inDelta and Alaska also cap the three sides’ total
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Bag fit checker

Example values
Start from a common bag
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Units

    FitsToo bigSpirit and more airlines are on the way; check fees and fare rules on the airline’s site.

    Carry-on size limits by airline

    AirlineCarry-onPersonal itemSource
    American Airlines22 × 14 × 9 in18 × 14 × 8 inCarry-on bags and size limits
    Delta22 × 14 × 9 in, 45 in totalNo size givenCarry-on baggage
    United22 × 14 × 9 in17 × 10 × 9 inCarry-on bags
    Southwest24 × 16 × 10 inNo size givenCarry-on baggage policy
    JetBlue22 × 14 × 9 in17 × 13 × 8 inCarry-on bags
    Alaska Airlines22 × 14 × 9 in, 45 in totalNo size givenCarry-on luggage
    Frontier24 × 16 × 10 in18 × 14 × 8 inBag options
    Allegiant22 × 16 × 10 in18 × 14 × 8 inOptional services and fees

    Limits include wheels and handles. Checked against each airline’s page on Oct 18, 2026.

    Before you pack

    01

    Measure the outside

    Measure the bag standing, wheels and handles included, at its widest points. Soft bags grow when packed: measure them full.

    02

    Fare rules come first

    Some fares allow only a personal item. United’s Basic Economy, for example, includes a carry-on only on some international routes; Frontier and Allegiant charge for carry-ons.

    03

    Small planes, tight bins

    On regional jets, bags bigger than a personal item may be checked at the gate, as American says of its American Eagle flights.

    Packing for the right season

    A carry-on size that works in July may not in January, when coats and boots take the space. See the weather month by month in When to Go, and save your airline with your dates in My trips: this page then highlights it.

    Follow the numbers

    Sources: each airline’s own page

    Checked Oct 18, 2026
    American AirlinesCarry-on bags and size limitsHandles and wheels count. On American Eagle regional planes, bags bigger than a personal item are valet-checked at the gate.DeltaCarry-on baggageHandles and wheels count, and the three sides may add up to 45 in at most. Personal item: no size given, it must fit under the seat in front of you.UnitedCarry-on bagsHandle and wheels count. Basic Economy: a personal item only on most trips, a carry-on only to South America or across the Atlantic or Pacific.SouthwestCarry-on baggage policyWheels, handles and attachments count. Personal item: no size given, it goes under the seat in front of you.JetBlueCarry-on bagsWheels and handles count. No weight limit on carry-ons.Alaska AirlinesCarry-on luggageWheels and handles count, and the three sides may add up to 45 in at most. Personal item: no size given (a purse, briefcase or laptop bag).FrontierBag optionsHandles, wheels and straps count; up to 35 lb each. The personal item comes with every fare; the carry-on costs extra unless your bundle includes it.AllegiantOptional services and feesWheels, pockets, handles and decorations count. The personal item is free; carry-on fees apply.