Carry-On Bag Rules

What can you take aboard the plane? Policies vary, and airlines claim the right to make exceptions on a case-by-case basis. But here are some general policies. (A holiday note: Shopping bags and boxes do generally count as carry-ons.)

Airline: AMERICAN AIRLINES

Carry-ons per person: 2

Maximum size: 45” linear total*

Not counted as carry-ons: Normal-size purse, coat, item to assist with disability

Airline: AMERICA WEST

Carry-ons per person: 2

Maximum size: 54” linear total for garment bag; 45” for others

Not counted as carry-ons: Purse, camera, overcoat, umbrella, infant bag, item to assist with disability, reasonable amount of reading material

Airline: CONTINENTAL

Carry-ons per person: 2

Maximum size: 45” linear total

Not counted as carry-ons: Garment bag, small duffel or overnight bag, briefcase, purse, day planner, laptop computer, camera, disc player, child’s seat or stroller, diaper bag, item to assist with disability.

Airline: DELTA

Carry-ons per person: 2

Maximum size: 22” by 14” by 9”

Not counted as carry-ons: Purse, overcoat, hat, food for on-board eating, item to assist with disability

Airline: NORTHWEST

Carry-ons per person: 1

Maximum size: 62” linear total

Not counted as carry-ons: Purse, briefcase, laptop computer, camera, food, item to assist with disability

Airline: SOUTHWEST

Carry-ons per person: 2

Maximum size: 24” by 16” by 10”

Not counted as carry-ons: Purse, small camera, overcoat, child’s seat, food for on-board eating, item to assist with disability

Airline: TWA

Carry-ons per person: 2

Maximum size: 21” by 16” by 10”

Not counted as carry-ons: Small purse, coat, umbrella, item to assist with disability

Airline: UNITED

Carry-ons per person: 2

Maximum size: 45” linear total

Not counted as carry-ons: Coat, child’s seat, stroller, item to assist with disability

Airline: US AIRWAYS

Carry-ons per person: 1 or 2**

Maximum size: 24” by 16” by 10” in overhead bin; 21” by 16” by 8” under seat; 45” by 23.5” by 4” in valet closet

Not counted as carry-ons: Handbag, pocketbook, camera if 18” by 12” by 4” or smaller; coat; umbrella; child’s seat; item to assist with disability; reasonable amount of reading material

*Bag’s length, width and height added together, i.e. 23” + 13” + 9” = 45”

**If you check two bags, you get one carry-on. If you check one bag, you get two carry-ons.

Source: Airlines