Carry-on size limits by airline
Carry-on dimensions, weight limits, and personal-item rules for 33 major airlines — with the gate-fee gotchas your fare class might hit you with.
The universal "safe bag" sweet spot
If you buy a single carry-on that needs to work across most airlines: 55 × 35 × 23 cm (21.5 × 14 × 9 in) at 7 kg / 15 lb or less. That fits Lufthansa, SWISS, Korean Air, Emirates, Qatar, Singapore, Cathay, and most US carriers (which don't weigh).
If you're flying European low-cost (Ryanair, easyJet, Wizz Air, Vueling) on the cheapest fare, you can ONLY bring a 40 × 25 × 20 cm personal item for free. A roller bag will cost €10-30 to pre-pay or €60-75 if caught at the gate.
North America
| Airline | Max bag (H × W × D) | Weight | Personal item | Fare gotcha |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| American Airlines | 56×36×23 22×14×9 in |
no limit | 45×35×20 cm | Basic Economy: carry-on allowed on most routes (NOT on Basic Economy to/from Europe — personal item only) |
| Delta Air Lines | 56×35×23 22×14×9 in |
no limit | must fit under seat | Basic Economy: full carry-on still included |
| United Airlines | 56×35×22 22×14×9 in |
no limit | 43×25×22 cm | Basic Economy: NO carry-on — personal item only. Pay $50+ at the gate if you have one. |
| Southwest Airlines | 61×41×25 24×16×10 in |
no limit | must fit under seat | All fares: 2 free checked bags + carry-on |
| JetBlue | 55×35×22 22×14×9 in |
no limit | must fit under seat | Blue Basic: NO carry-on — personal item only |
| Alaska Airlines | 56×35×22 22×14×9 in |
no limit | must fit under seat | Saver Fares: full carry-on included |
| Air Canada | 55×40×23 21.5×15.5×9 in |
no weight check at counter | 33×16×43 cm | Basic Economy: full carry-on included |
| WestJet | 53×38×23 21×15×9 in |
no weight check | 41×15×33 cm | Basic Economy: carry-on still included |
| Frontier | 61×46×25 24×16×10 in |
16 kg / 35 lb | 46×35×20 cm | Carry-on costs EXTRA on all fares ($35-99). Personal item is the only free bag. |
| Spirit Airlines | 56×46×25 22×18×10 in |
no limit | 46×35×20 cm | Carry-on costs EXTRA on all fares ($37-99+). Personal item is the only free bag. |
Europe
| Airline | Max bag (H × W × D) | Weight | Personal item | Fare gotcha |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| British Airways | 56×45×25 22×18×10 in |
23 kg / 51 lb | 40×30×15 cm | Basic Economy: handbag/laptop bag only — NO full carry-on |
| Lufthansa | 55×40×23 21.5×15.5×9 in |
8 kg / 17.6 lb | 40×30×10 cm | Economy Light: carry-on included |
| Air France | 55×35×25 21.5×13.5×10 in |
12 kg / 26 lb (combined w/ personal) | 40×30×15 cm | Light fares: carry-on still included |
| KLM | 55×35×25 21.5×13.5×10 in |
12 kg / 26 lb (combined) | 40×30×15 cm | Economy Light: carry-on still included on intercontinental |
| Iberia | 56×40×25 22×16×10 in |
10 kg / 22 lb | 40×30×15 cm | Basic fares: full carry-on included |
| SWISS | 55×40×23 21.5×15.5×9 in |
8 kg / 17.6 lb | 40×30×10 cm | Economy Light: carry-on included |
| Turkish Airlines | 55×40×23 21.5×15.5×9 in |
8 kg / 17.6 lb | 40×30×15 cm | Economy Eco: full carry-on included |
| Aer Lingus | 55×40×24 21.5×15.5×9.5 in |
10 kg / 22 lb | 33×25×20 cm | Saver fares: full carry-on included |
Europe — LCC
| Airline | Max bag (H × W × D) | Weight | Personal item | Fare gotcha |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ryanair | 55×40×20 (paid only) 21.5×15.5×8 in |
10 kg / 22 lb | 40×25×20 cm | Free fare: ONLY the personal item (40×25×20 cm). Full carry-on requires Priority Boarding (€8-30) or Plus/Flexi fare. Bag policy is BRUTALLY enforced at the gate — €60-75 fee if oversized. |
| easyJet | 56×45×25 (paid only) 22×18×10 in |
15 kg / 33 lb | 45×36×20 cm | Standard fare: ONLY the personal item. Full carry-on requires Up Front/Extra Legroom seat or paid Cabin Bag (£6-32). Strict gate enforcement. |
| Wizz Air | 55×40×23 (paid only) 21.5×15.5×9 in |
10 kg / 22 lb | 40×30×20 cm | Free fare: ONLY the personal item. Full carry-on requires WIZZ Priority (€10-30) or higher fare class. €70+ fee at gate if oversized. |
| Vueling | 55×40×20 (paid only) 21.5×15.5×8 in |
10 kg / 22 lb | 40×30×20 cm | Basic fare: ONLY the personal item. Full carry-on requires Optima/Family/TimeFlex or paid add-on. |
Asia
| Airline | Max bag (H × W × D) | Weight | Personal item | Fare gotcha |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Singapore Airlines | 115 cm total (L+W+H) 45 in total in |
7 kg / 15 lb | small bag (fits under seat) | Economy Lite: full carry-on included |
| Cathay Pacific | 56×36×23 22×14×9 in |
7 kg / 15 lb | small bag | Economy Light: carry-on still included |
| ANA | 55×40×25 22×16×10 in |
10 kg / 22 lb (intl) | small bag | Standard fares: full carry-on included |
| Japan Airlines | 55×40×25 22×16×10 in |
10 kg / 22 lb | small bag | All fares: full carry-on included |
| Korean Air | 55×40×20 21.5×15.5×8 in |
10 kg / 22 lb | 40×30×10 cm | All fares: full carry-on included |
Middle East
| Airline | Max bag (H × W × D) | Weight | Personal item | Fare gotcha |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Emirates | 55×38×20 22×15×8 in |
7 kg / 15 lb | 45×35×20 cm (Business/First only) | Special fares: full carry-on included |
| Qatar Airways | 50×37×25 20×15×10 in |
7 kg / 15 lb | small bag | Classic Economy: full carry-on included |
Asia/Oceania
| Airline | Max bag (H × W × D) | Weight | Personal item | Fare gotcha |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Qantas | 56×36×23 22×14×9 in |
7 kg / 15 lb | small bag | Economy Saver: full carry-on included |
| Air New Zealand | 118 cm total 46.5 in total in |
7 kg / 15 lb | small bag | Seat fare: NO carry-on — personal item only |
South America
| Airline | Max bag (H × W × D) | Weight | Personal item | Fare gotcha |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LATAM | 55×35×25 21.5×13.5×10 in |
10 kg / 22 lb | small bag | Basic fare: full carry-on included |
| Avianca | 55×35×25 21.5×13.5×10 in |
10 kg / 22 lb | small bag | Basic fare: full carry-on included |
How to avoid carry-on fees
- Read your fare class when booking — "Basic Economy" / "Light" / "Saver" fares often exclude the full carry-on on US, European, and some Asian carriers. The same airline charges $0 to $99 for the same bag depending on what you booked.
- Get the airline's branded credit card — most include a free checked bag (often two), worth $50-70/flight, which usually pays the annual fee in 2 trips.
- Status helps: any tier of frequent-flyer elite status usually unlocks free checked + waived carry-on rules.
- Soft-sided bags compress. A 56-cm soft duffel that squishes to 53 cm at the gate passes; a hard-shell 57 cm doesn't.
- Wear the heaviest items. Stuff a vest with electronics for the boarding gauntlet, then unload at the seat. Looks silly, saves €60.
- European LCC strategy: if you're set on bringing a full carry-on, pay the airline's pre-flight upgrade. €15 online beats €70 at the gate.