Last Updated: August 4, 2023
Personal Item Size & Dimensions for Popular Airlines
Airlines say you are allowed to bring your carry-on and a “personal item” onto the plane. But what is a personal item? And what exactly is the personal item size?
It is ambiguous, to say the least so let’s crack the code and find out what a personal item really means across the major airlines.
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What Is A Personal Item?
A personal item is you can bring on the plane that is smaller than your carry-on. But, how much smaller? That is up to the airline.
Usually, as long as your personal item fits under the seat in front of you it will be allowed onto the plane. So a laptop bag, purse, and a small backpack are all usually considered fine.
You can, however, get caught out depending on the airline, so let’s get more into the details so you can avoid any fees or issues.
Carry-On vs Personal Item
The first thing we should probably clear up is the difference between a carry-on vs a personal item.
Your carry-on bag is a bag or suitcase that you can carry onto the plane. It must be able to fit in the overhead lockers.
The maximum size allowed for a carry-on varies by airline but is generally around 9 x 14 x 22 inches, including the handles and the wheels.
What Is Allowed in a Personal Item Bag?
You can pack anything you like in your personal item bag so long as it is allowed onto the plane in your carry-on in the first place.
This means you can do liquids in containers of 33 cl or 100 ml or less, laptops, electronics, cameras, etc. But you can not bring sharp things like scissors, knives, or anything that could be used as a weapon.
Here is a definitive list from the TSA about what can and can’t go in your carry-on or personal item.
Personal Item Size Restrictions for Major Airlines
| Airline | Personal Item Size (in) | Personal Item Size (cm) |
| Air Canada | 17 x 13 x 6 in | 43 x 33 x 16 cm |
| Alaska Airlines | Not specified | Not specified |
| Allegiant Airlines | 16 x 15 x 7 in | 41 x 38 x 18 cm |
| American Airlines | 18 x 14 x 8 in | 45 x 35 x 20 cm |
| Avianca Airlines | 17.5 x 14 x 8 in | 45 x 35 x 20 cm |
| Delta Air Lines | Not specified | Not specified |
| Frontier Airlines | 18 x 14 x 8 in | 45 x 35 x 20 cm |
| Hawaiian Airlines | Not specified | Not specified |
| JetBlue Airlines | 17 x 13 x 8 in | 43 x 33 x 20 cm |
| Southwest Airlines | 18.5 x 13.5 x 8.5 in | 47 x 34 x 22 cm |
| Spirit Airlines | 18 x 14 x 8 in | 45 x 35 x 20 cm |
| United Airlines | 17 x 10 x 9 in | 43 x 25 x 22 cm |
| Lufthansa | 12 x 16 x 4 in | 30 x 40 x 10 cm |
| Ryanair | 16 x 8 x 10 in | 40 x 20 x 25cm |
| British Airways | 16 x 12 x 6 in | 40 x 30 x 15 cm |
| KLM | 16 x 12 x 6 in | 41 x 31 x 15 cm |
| Cathy Pacific | 16 x 12 x 6 in | 41 x 31 x 15 cm |
Air Canada
Air Canada is a little more relaxed about their personal item rules. Your personal item should be a maximum size of 36 linear inches and while it doesn’t have a weight limit, you should be able to lift it into the overhead lockers without help.
What does 36 linear inches mean? It means all the dimensions of your personal item should not add up to more than 36. So a 13 x 6 x 17-inch bag would be 36 linear inches and the maximum size allowed.
Your personal item can be a number of things including a roller bag, backpack, briefcase, laptop, sports racquet (e.g. tennis, squash, badminton), musical instrument, cat or small dog in its carrier, camera bag, diplomatic or consular bag, airport shopping, and duty-free purchases, or garment bag (size and weight restrictions apply).
Alaska Airlines
Alaska Airlines are not quite as helpful as Air Canada in regards to what size a personal item can be.
Their website states “One small personal item such as a purse, briefcase, or laptop bag, and medically necessary items will be allowed on board.”
But, there are zero references to what size this is. Further research shows they do mention that “At least one of the items should be stowed under the seat in front of you, and you’ll also need to be able to lift your own bag into the overhead bin.”
This means, between your carry-on and your personal item, one has to be under the seat in front of you.
I think it is safe to say that following the 36 linear inches rule will ensure your personal item fits under the seat and is allowed on the plane.
Allegiant Air
Allegiant Airlines is great at communicating its rules, as they leave no ambiguity at all. When traveling with Allegiant Air you are only allowed to bring one personal item on the plane for free.
The personal item you do bring with you has to be a maximum size of 16 x 15 x 7 inches and has to fit under the seat in front of you.
They do not mind what your personal item is particularly so long as it is allowed on the plane in the first place (no weapons) and fits under the seat in front of you. So a small backpack, laptop bag, purse, and more are all fine on Allegiant Air.
American Airlines
American Airlines is quite kind with their personal item size restrictions. You can bring a personal item of up to 18 x 14 x 8 inches and it has to fit under the seat in front of you.
Again, a purse, small backpack, laptop bag, etc are all fine to use as a personal item.
American Airlines go on to say that some things do not count as a personal item, and they all have to do with child care, which is nice of them. Here are the things that do not count as a personal item but you can bring onboard:
- Diaper bags (1 per child)
- Breast pump
- Small, soft-sided cooler of breast milk
- Child safety seats, strollers, and medical or mobility devices
Delta Airlines
Delta Airlines allows you to bring a carry-on and one personal item on board the plane for free. They do not specify an exact maximum size limit but do stress that your personal item must fit under the seat in front of you.
Delta does mention that a personal item can be a purse, briefcase, small backpack, diaper bag, camera bag, laptop bag, or any item of similar sizes to those listed.
Kindly, Delta also allows you to bring some extras on the plane for free. These include any food or drinks bought in the airport after security, duty-free purchases, a jacket/umbrella, as well as special things for kids like strollers/child seats, wheelchairs, and things like crutches.
Frontier
Frontier Airlines are very specific about personal item size and you are allowed to bring one onto the plane for free.
The personal item must be a maximum of 14 x 18 x 8 inches and fit inside the personal item bag sizer they have at their check-in desks.
There are no specific rules about what a personal item can and cannot be. But they do suggest that things like small backpacks, purses, totes, briefcases, laptop bags, and diaper bags are along the lines of what a personal item should be.
JetBlue Airlines
JetBlue Airlines is also pretty specific when it comes to personal item sizes. Luckily, every fare type with JetBlue allows you to bring one personal item on board the plane for free.
The personal item must fit under the seat in front of you and be a maximum size of 17″ L (43.2 cm) x 13″ W (33 cm) x 8″ H (20.32 cm).
Again, they suggest that your personal item should be along the lines of a small backpack, laptop bag, purse, pet carrier, etc.
Not all fares allow free carry-on baggage, so be sure to check which fare you have before bringing one on the plane.
Lufthansa
Lufthansa has clear rules about what is allowed on their planes in regard to carry-ons and personal items.
Every Lufthansa booking type is allowed both one carry-on and one personal item. The personal item must fit under the seat in front of you and be a maximum size of 30 x 40 x 10 cm which is the equivalent of 12 x 16 x 4 inches – a little smaller than other airlines.
Mobility aids for passengers and child seats/pushchairs are allowed on Lufthansa flights free of charge.
Ryanair
Ryanair was renowned for being a little over the top with their rules and forcing customers to pay a fee for minor luggage offenses. Luckily, the airline has changed over the years and is a bit more relaxed. But they still have rules!
All passengers, no matter how cheap their fare, are allowed one personal item free of charge on all Ryanair flights. The personal item has to fit in the seat in front of you and can not exceed 40cm x 20cm x 25cm, which is 16 x 8 x 10 inches.
Ryanair does not specify what the personal item can or cannot be, but they do suggest a small backpack, laptop bag, handbag, etc.
Southwest Airlines
Southwest Airlines allow all passengers on every fare to bring one personal item with them on board the plane free of charge.
The personal item must fit under the seat in front of you and be a maximum size of 16.25” (L) x 13.5” (W) x 8” (H). But, they do go on to say these:
“Measurements vary by seat type and aircraft. The dimensions reflect the smallest available length, width, and height under the seat”
This means you may be able to bring a personal item that is a little larger than the dimensions listed above depending on the aircraft.
I would suggest, however, not taking the risk or checking the exact size for your particular flight before bringing a larger personal item on board.
There are no specific instructions as to what a personal item can be. However, they do suggest along the lines of a small backpack, purse, laptop bag, etc.
Spirit Airlines
Spirit Airlines also allows all passengers to bring one personal item on board the plane for free on all flights.
The personal item must be a maximum size of 18 x 14 x 8 inches (45 x 35 x 20 cm) and this includes all handles and wheels.
The airline does not specify what a personal item must be, but they do suggest that it should be along the lines of a small backpack, purse, or laptop bag, etc.
United Airlines
United Airlines allows all passengers regardless of their fare to bring one personal item on their aircraft free of charge.
The personal item must fit under the seat in front of you and must be 9 in. x 10 in. x 17 in. (22 cm. x 25 cm. x 43 cm.) or smaller.
They don’t specify what a personal item can and cannot be, but it would be safe to assume that small backpacks, laptop bags, and purses are along the lines of what they are talking about.
If you are traveling on an Economy Basic fare with United Airlines, your carry-on is not included free of charge. Do not get caught out and book your carry-on before your flight to avoid costly fees at the airport.
Frequently Asked Questions About Personal Items on Planes
What if my personal item is a little too big?
So long as your personal item fits under the seat in front of you, you will be fine.
I always travel with a backpack that is over their size limits but fits under the seat (12.5″W x 7.0″D x 20.0″H – 31.8W x 17.8D x 50.8H CM) and has never had it checked or had any airline say anything about it.
If your personal item is obviously not going to fit under the seat, chances are you will have to pay for it to be an additional carry-on.
Do airports check personal items?
Whether your personal item size gets checked depends solely on the airline and the person you are at the boarding gate/check-in desk.
I have never had my personal item checked for size, ever, and I fly a lot. But, this doesn’t mean it doesn’t happen.
With regards to airport security, yes your personal items will always go through the scanner and be checked.
Is a backpack considered a personal item?
Yes, a backpack that is small enough to fit under the seat in front of you will be considered a personal item.
Is a duffel bag considered a personal item?
Yes, as long as the duffel bag fits under the seat in front of you it will be allowed onto the aircraft as a personal item.
What backpack size will fit under an airplane seat?
My backpack is 28 liters in volume and its dimensions are 12.5″W x 7.0″D x 20.0″H (31.8W x 17.8D x 50.8H CM) and it has fit under every airline seat I have ever been on.
It is a great size as you can pack enough for a week away inside it if you are good at packing!
Here are some great personal item backpacks for you to check out.
Can I carry 2 personal items on a plane?
No, in almost every case, you are only allowed one personal item and one carry-on. This is because every passenger has an allocated space for luggage, which includes the space under their seat for a personal item and a slot in the overhead for their carry-on.
Some airlines do allow first-class passengers to fly with two personal items but I would advise you to check with them beforehand.
About the Author Roger Timbrook
Roger is a little obsessed with travel. He has been to over 40 countries, broken 3 suitcases and owned over 10 backpacks in 12 months. What he doesn't know about travel, ain't worth knowing!
