If you think carry-on rules are consistent across airlines… they’re not.
With virtually every U.S.-based commercial airline now charging for checked luggage (nice going, Southwest) and then raising those fees every so often, more and more people are trying to cram everything into their carry-on and personal bags. However, even that isn’t easy—there are no set standards for bag sizes. What may count as a carry-on or personal bag on one airline might need to be gate-checked on another because it’s deemed to be too big.
To help avoid that problem, we’ve culled the most recently updated regulations for the size of carry-on and personal bags. The last time we did this was over a year ago and, not surprisingly, some airlines have tweaked their rules—and not in passengers’ favor.
Dimensions are listed as height x length x width (just like you learned in math class, forever ago). Those who have special considerations for specific situations have been marked as appropriate.
Alaska Airlines
Carry-on: 22″ x 14″ x 9″ – including wheels and handles
Personal item: exact measurement is not given
Notes:
On Alaska Airlines, personal items are only defined as a “purse, briefcase or laptop bag.” Years ago, they included “medically necessary items” as a personal item but have since changed the rule, and you can bring your CPAP, crutches, breast pump, etc. into the cabin without it counting towards your carry-on limit (I figure someone sued about that one LOL).
NEW! Alaska Airlines now includes a PDF of a bag tag that they recommend you place inside your bag, should it get lost.
NEW! Alaska Airlines now has an entire page devoted to the use of in-cabin comfort items.
Fun Fact: Alaska Airlines’ carry-on bag limitation used to be a generous 24″ x 17″ x 10″, but they changed that to the above specifications in 2018.
Allegiant Air
Carry-on: 22″ x 16″ x 10″
Personal item: 18″ x 14″ x 8″
Notes:
Allegiant charges for carry-on items. Jackets, “small” umbrellas, food, and diaper bags do not count as personal items.
Fun Fact: Allegiant’s carry-on bag limit used to be 22″ x 14″ x 9″, and their personal item limit was 16″ x 15″ x 7″. But they increased both to the specifications above in March 2023.
American Airlines
Carry-on: 22″ x 14″ x 9″ (if you bring a soft-sided garment bag in lieu of a carry-on, it cannot exceed 51 inches ((length + width + height)
Personal item: 18″ x 14″ x 8″
Notes:
Diaper bags (1 per child), soft-sided cooler bags with breast milk, child safety seats, strollers and medical or mobility devices don’t count as your personal item or carry-on.
Delta
Carry-on: 22″ x 14″ x 9″
Personal item: exact measurement is not given.
Notes:
Among other items, a diaper bag counts as a carry-on item. C’mon, Delta…really? Although, to their credit, I’ve heard that some [NOT ALL!] gate agents will let diaper bags go as an extra. At least some of them have common sense.
New! Delta now includes the verbiage “These measurements include any handles or wheels” in reference to carry-on bags.
NEW! Delta has recently banned these types of comfort items from the cabin.
Frontier
Carry-on: 24″ x 16″ x 10″
Personal item: 18″ x 14″ x 8″
Notes:
Frontier charges for carry-on items. Diaper bags, canes, coats, assistive devices, and foot rugs used during prayer don’t count as personal items.
NEW! Frontier now limits the weight of your carry-on bag.
NEW! Frontier’s measurements for both carry-on and personal bags now include “handles, wheels and straps.”
Hawaiian Airlines
Carry-on: 22″ x 14″ x 9″, 25 pound limit
Personal item: exact measurement is not given.
Notes:
Hawaiian Airlines specifies that personal items must fit under the seat in front of you. Gate check is reserved for strollers, car seats, and wheelchairs. (Wagons are not eligible for gate check—more info here.)
NEW! Hawaiian now limits the weight of your carry-on bag.
JetBlue
Carry-on: 22″ x 14″ x 9″
Personal item: 17″ x 13″ x 8″
The following don’t count as part of your carry-on/personal bag allowance:
- Assistive devices
- Duty-free items in a reasonable and limited amount
- One diaper bag for lap infants
- Special items (coat, umbrella, infant car seat, etc.)
Notes:
Fun fact: Camera, film, and other video production equipment used to be accepted in the cabin on a space-available basis but no longer are.
Southwest
Carry-on: 24″ x 16″ x 10″
Personal item: exact measurement not given. Examples given include purse (including crossbody bags), briefcase, laptop case, backpack, pillow (neck pillows do not count toward the carry-on limit), blanket and small camera.
Notes:
Southwest used to be pretty vague about their personal item dimensions but updated their website a few years ago to include actual measurements. Then they decreased how big your personal bag could be. And now? Now they have changed it again.
NEW! Southwest’s measurements for carry-on bags now include “handles and wheels.”
Spirit
Carry-on: 22″ x 18″ x 10″
Personal item: 18″ x 14″ x 8″
Notes:
Spirit charges for carry-on items. They may require a carry-on bag to be checked if it cannot be safely stowed on a flight. Personal items are defined as a purse, small backpack, etc.
United
Carry-on: 22″ x 14″ x 9″
Personal item: 17″ x 10″ x 9″
Notes:
Jacket, umbrella, reading material, food or merchandise purchased in the airport, assistive devices, child restraint system or safety seat, diaper bag, breast pump and pet carrier can be brought in addition to your carry-on and personal bags.
The bottom line? There’s no such thing as a “standard” carry-on and it feels like airlines change their rules all the time. If you want to avoid surprises at the gate, it’s worth double-checking your airline’s rules before every trip—even if you think you already know them.
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